USE-IT identifies waste beneficiation opportunities to help divert waste from landfill and create employment in the green economy.
Better Living Challenge announced the 3 winners of the competition on Tuesday 25 November 2014, who will each now receive R500 000’s worth of customised support to help them take their solutions to the next level. Better Living Challenge will guide this process to ensure that the winners receive maximum value from the award. In addition, two student winners walked away with a cash prize of R40 000 each.
Entered by Chris Whyte, USE-IT’s Compressed Earth Blocks Construction is an innovative process that uses a 30% blend of builder’s rubble and clay-bearing soils to manufacture Compressed Earth Blocks (also known as CEBs). Building sustainable homes with the lowest carbon footprint, CEBs are 3-5 times stronger than concrete blocks, cheaper, ten times more thermally efficient and environmentally-friendly.
Durban-based USE-IT was established in 2009 as a Section 21 Company as the eThekwini Waste Materials Recovery Industry Development Cluster through the Economic Development Unit of the eThekwini Municipality. The aim of this initiative is to research, identify and implement key waste beneficiation opportunities that will divert waste from landfill, whilst creating sustainable and economically viable projects resulting in green job creation. USE-IT is an NGO creating the vital link between the public and private sector.
USE_IT’s primary objective is to unlock the opportunities in the waste collection segment, and to then channel this resource into value-add initiatives that multiply the economic, social and environmental benefits to create sustainable cities. The objectives of this project meet these requirements and are in line with the constitutional obligations of the organization.
USE-IT has an existing track record in several aspects of project development and implementation in electronic waste, glass projects, plastics beneficiation, organic composting and fertiliser production, alternative green energy projects, rubber recycling projects, waste to- art projects, Compressed Earth Blocks Projects and community partnerships.
Sustainable Green Building – Compressed Earth Blocks (CEBs)
·        Using local soil to make blocks
·        Using spoil from cut and fill and waste rubble
·        At least 3 times stronger than concrete blocks – bulletproof!
·        Fully certified and tested (Agrément, SABS, CIDB, NHBRC)
·        Cheaper and stronger than conventional building
·        Greater thermal efficiency, completely waterproof
·        Simple building method
·        Skills development & job creation
·        Low embodied energy & carbon savings
·        Healthy green living lifestyle
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