Disposal of nappies project launched in KZN informal settlements

A nappy disposal project in Durban, geared for informal settlements, is driving responsible disposal and keeping them out of the City’s waterways.

The Inhlanzeko Bin project by non-profit environmental organisation, Green Corridors, is running a pilot project in two Durban informal settlements.

It targets the collection of nappies and other sanitary products. Specific collection bins are placed in strategic spots and emptied daily.

The organisation’s Musa Shange says nappies are generally non-degradable and need to be kept out of storm water pipes, sewage system and rivers.

Shange says the project has so far been a success.

“We had huge support form ETH Zurich, from our colleagues who are lead researchers. They really assisted us in so far as creating the concepts, getting the model in place and how to engage the caregivers, the mothers. So that also was very effective in ensuring that we have the support of these people because they are the users of the nappies, or the caregivers rather. So that allowed the model to be successful.”

Amina Keneta, project supervisor at the Johanna Road informal settlement in Sea Cow Lake in Durban, says responsible waste disposal is necessary in the settlement which has close to 700 homes.

“It was bad before. Because we used to have rats running around, coming into our houses. Because our houses are not as strong as formal settlements. So, it’s easy and accessible for a rat to poke into a plank and come inside and bite our kids. So, those were challenges that we used to face before. We had to explain all those things and we had to go through, explain to them what diseases unsafe disposal of nappies could lead to.”

Project for safe disposal of nappies