Young South Africans who accepted the PachiPanda Challenge have shown that amongst all the dire predictions and reports regarding the climate crisis, by combining technology with passion for the environment, there is still hope for our climate future.
Proving that even the most pressing environmental events can be tackled with practical tech-led interventions, three local projects that will go forward to the African finals of this initiative spearheaded by MTN and WWF raising environmental awareness and fostering sustainability practices.
Keabetswe Mabe, GM: sustainability and shared value at MTN SA, says: “MTN joined hands with the WWF through the PachiPanda Challenge to inspire young South Africans between the ages of 16 and 35 to find unique solutions that address pressing environmental issues.
“The response has been inspiring. We are particularly proud of the three local teams that submitted entries aimed at the problems of recycling waste materials, conserving water, and involving communities in the drive towards solving pressing environmental problems in South Africa. In addition, to ensure the long-term sustainability of these incredible projects, a new incubator partnership with Nedbank CSI and Indalo Inclusive NPC has also been concluded to assist them going forward.”
The three winning entries that will see locals moving forward to the Africa-wide round of the PachiPanda are:
- RecycleX, a user-friendly mobile application that integrates technology, incentives, and community engagement to promote sustainable waste management practices through digitally enabled recycling bins that offer users rewards for collecting recyclable materials. The RecycleX app uses AI Vision technology for reporting waste and receiving confirmation that it has been collected, making the process of waste management simple and efficient. The addition of ‘smart scanning’ and bins that are digital and offer users incentives such as access to online games, completes a product that should get many people, especially youngsters, actively recycling.
- AquaGrey, took a new look at grey water systems and realised that usable grey, and potentially drinkable water, was being lost every day. Their proposed solution is a grey-water treatment system fitted on mobile tanks for individual and local council use. Biofilter and disinfection sensors regulate the flow rate of water in the tanks, record acidity levels, temperature, pressure and chemical content of the grey water. This information can be monitored remotely by a mobile device for manual management and decision-making about further filtration and the water’s use. ‘Less technological devices’ which are being developed with use the natural gravitational flow of water and biological and natural grit treatment to recover the valuable resource are in the development stage.
- The Binn Solution consists of a range of products designed to help streamline the waste management chain by simplifying access, making it more functional, trackable and accessible. Potentially recyclable products targeted include plastic, packaging materials, building materials and electronic waste.
“These innovative winners took part in a gruelling five day ‘transformative sprint process,’ and immersed themselves in the design process, which was followed by a pitch session,” says Justin Smith, head of business development at WWF South Africa, adding that they will now represent South Africa in showcasing their solutions on a regional stage, competing against teams from other sub-Saharan countries.
“Together with MTN, and the Empire Partner Foundation as the implementation partner, we are advancing our goals to elevate the voices of African youth in the critical work of protecting our environment, with key elements including advocating for renewable energy, climate-resilient agriculture, and community adaptation to environmental changes,” Smith continues.”