Earlier this year Dreamcatcher and long-time collaborators from the University of Brighton were successful in a bid to the IGNITE programme funded by Research England, to co-design a community-led Action Plan to address the impacts of waste in the area facilitating the move to a circular economy. This was in response to the Stilbaai, Melkhoutfontein and Jongensfontein (SMJ) Community Waste Working Group commitment to spearhead community-based solutions to address local waste management challenges. At present there is limited local information available on the public’s behaviour and attitudes towards waste, the challenges and practicable solutions. The IGNITE funded project responds directly to this. Through engaging with the wider Stilbaai community we are developing an Action Plan of practical and deliverable initiatives with measurable outcomes and positive impact.
We are currently conducting research this includes a comprehensive review of relevant policy and waste documentation for Hessequa and the wider area, conducting two learning labs with key ecosystem members, and administering a questionnaire to residents and businesses. Collectively this will be the most comprehensive engagement with the community to date on waste issues. Thanks to all the participants, Dreamcatcher enterprises who assisted in collecting data, Stilbaai Business Chamber, Mariann Harris (Stilbaai Information Bureau) and Dr Nick Geldenhuys (Stilbaai Interest Forum), and all the members of the S M J Waste Working Group for supporting the project to inform change.
We will be analysing the information and preparing a comprehensive report including an Action Plan for consideration to the S M J Waste Working Group for late 2023 with actions starting in early 2024.
