Foiling global warming

JOBURGERS are being called on to play their part in the fight against global warming by recycling foil as part of the Foil Ball project at Brightwater Commons in Randburg.

People can deposit used foil into a giant soccer ball at Brightwater Commons In conjunction with the Aluminium Federation of South Africa and Hulamin, Brightwater Commons has launched the campaign in support of South Africa's promise to deliver a greener 2010. It started on Thursday, 1 April and will conclude on Saturday, 31 July.

The public can support this initiative by depositing their used foil into the giant soccer ball structure at Brightwater Commons, in Republic Road.

All the foil collected will be bought by Zimalco, the aluminium company of the Zimco Group, and the funds will be donated to the Lehae La Tshepo community support centre, in the Windsor area of Randburg, near Blackheath and Cresta.

"In addition to raising funds for the aftercare centre, we hope to create an awareness of waste management among children," said Winton Woodrooffe, the director of communications at the centre. "If they are motivated they may influence their parents who will hopefully influence the community in general."

Woodrooffe also developed the Foil Ball concept. This unique initiative also aims to break the South African Book of Records for the largest amount of used aluminium foil collected. The record is at 732 kilograms and the Foil Ball project is targeting 750 kilograms.

Although more and more South Africans are beginning to support initiatives that recycle paper, plastics, glass and cans, only a tiny percentage are aware that aluminium foil can also be recycled. Ready-meal containers, catering trays, pie cases and kitchen foil are often regarded as everyday waste.

The recycling of used foil has several benefits. Manufacturing aluminium requires a lot of energy, but re-melting it to make a seemingly new product only takes 5 percent of the original energy required, thereby resulting in an energy saving of 95 percent.

This saving results in a reduction of production emissions, which in turn reduces carbon emissions, which have an effect on global warming.

Used aluminium foil retains all its properties even after being re-melted to form a new product. This means that products made from recycled foil are of the same quality as those made from primary aluminium.