Ekurhuleni based recycling center CO-HOPE Management, is turning waste into a useful product for households, school gardens, and organic vegetable producers.
The centre, based in Katlehong, is using waste to produce what is commonly known as vermi compost.
Vermi compost (related to vermiculture) is the process of using various species of worms, usually, red wigglers, white worms, and other earthworms, to create a mixture of decomposing vegetable or food waste, bedding materials, and vermicast.
It is used in farming and small scale sustainable, organic farming.
Vermi Compost is a product that is produced under Eco Hope Management (A Recycling Company) established in 2010.
The product is proudly South African and is produced by locals form Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality.
The product is produced from the household waste collected from landfill and dumping sites and it is supported by GDARD and Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality.
The recycling company has the capacity to produce 72 000 md3 per month and employs a total of 14 permanent employees.
Vermi Compost is 100% organic, reduces the need for the use of inorganic agrochemicals, prolongs the life span of landfill sites, reduces greenhouse gas emission as well as environmental pollution, improves water retention and aeration, neutralise the soil, and promotes urban farming.
This compost product is a water-soluble nutrient that aids in as a soil conditioner and a fertilizer. Additionally, it can be allied to the treatment of sewage.
“Our Product is a renewable and environmentally friendly resource, a totally natural product,” said Eco-hope’s Sipho Radebe.
According to Radebe, government, local landscape/gardening services, malls, and other private entities will enable the company to realise its goals of being a leading supplier and producer of organic compost.
For any other information on Vermi Compost, contact Sipho Radebe on 072 085 4598.
Article by Katlego Carl Khalo
