TECH & INNOVATION: LolaGreen, turning plastic waste into durable tiles.

Loading player...
The argument over the years has been circulating around looking for alternative replacements for plastics, or the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle). Some further argue that the most effective way to reduce plastic pollution is to not make them in the first place. Reality check appears otherwise. In short, there is no one way to deal with this problem, it's practically a 'wicked problem'. Collaborations of different stakeholders seem to be a better approach I think. We can sit and talk all we want, but action is what's needed. To put things into perspective, imagine that a garbage truck full of plastics is dumped into the ocean every minute. I think that's painful to know. A huge blow to our ecosystems. The obvious effects of plastic waste are the contributions to greenhouse gas emissions, ultimately impacting climate change.
In South Africa alone the minimum plastic waste generated per capita is 41 kg per annum vs 29 kg globally. Reports also indicate that the minimum lifetime cost to our country of the plastic produced in 2019 is R885 billion, including damage to fishing and tourism industries, clean-up costs as well as health threats to humans and wildlife.
6 Sep 2022 5AM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

AGOA Extended: Certainty or Illusion?

The US has extended the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to 2028, stabilising duty‑free access for African exporters. But is this really a win, or just temporary certainty? Oxford Economic’s Jervin Naidoo explains what the extension means for South Africa’s auto industry, Kenya’s textiles, and Africa’s trade outlook in…
24 Sep 1PM 19 min

Your Retirement, Your Rules: ETFSA’s Starter Pack Explained

Retirement planning doesn’t need to be intimidating. Suzan Ramotshabi breaks down the biggest barriers stopping South Africans from investing, including Black Tax and fear of making mistakes. She explains how the Starter Pack works, additional ETFSA solutions, and the one step listeners can take today to begin their retirement journey…
23 Sep 1PM 22 min

SARB Tightens: What the 25bps Hike Means for You

The SARB surprised markets with a unanimous vote to hike rates by 25bps, landing against rising inflation expectations and global volatility. Johann Els unpacks the policy mood shift, the 4.4% inflation print, rand vulnerability, and how this decision affects credit conditions, household budgets, and South Africa’s growth outlook heading into…
23 Sep 12PM 14 min

The State of SA Insurance: Climate, Claims & Consumer Strain

South Africa’s insurers are navigating a perfect storm: higher catastrophe losses, rising claims inflation, affordability strain, and a shifting risk landscape shaped by climate volatility and crime. Santam’s Partner Solutions CEO, Gugu Mtetwa, unpacks the sector’s resilience, the worsening underinsurance problem, consumer behaviour shifts, and how insurers are adapting to…
22 Sep 1PM 24 min

Measured Momentum in SA Banking: Earnings Up, Risks Rising

South Africa’s major banks delivered headline earnings growth of 9.3% to R82.3 billion, stronger ROE at 20.5%, and improved cost‑to‑income ratios — but beneath the numbers lies a fragile domestic recovery and renewed inflation pressure. PwC’s Rivaan Roopnarain breaks down the competitive dynamics across retail, business, corporate and payments ecosystems,…
22 Sep 1PM 14 min