Local enviro heroes have paved the way for lasting change in some of Durban’s informal settlements, collecting and directing over 38 tonnes of nappy waste to landfills while educating local communities on safer disposal practices.
Durban, South Africa (12 August 2025) – The Johanna Road informal settlement and surrounding areas in Durban North are now significantly cleaner and more sanitary, following the efforts of Green Corridors’ groundbreaking project, the Inhlanzeko Bin Project.
Aimed at tackling the issue of improperly dumped disposable nappies and other absorbent hygiene products (AHPs) in the area, the project successfully collected and moved an incredible 38 tonnes (38,205 kg) of AHPs to landfill sites over twelve months.
Through “hands-on-the-ground” organising and working with trained community liaison officers and social facilitators in Johanna Road informal settlement, residents were educated on how to properly dispose of AHPs and guided on how to coordinate collections in their areas.
The project had a feasibility phase that started in partnership with the Swiss University ETH Zürich and Kimberly-Clark in 2023, followed by a six-month pilot from December 2023 and concluded in May 2024.
Green Corridors, the NPO dedicated to environmental and social initiatives in Durban, mobilised resources and funding to extend the project beyond the pilot phase, continuing from June 2024 to July 2025.
It is during these 12 months that the 38k AHPs were collected and directed to landfills.
Specialised nappy bins were installed at selected sites, including ablution blocks and crèches. To ensure the project’s continued impact in the community, trained local Social Facilitators also carried out home visits and held community meetings to promote safe disposal of AHPs.
“We are pleased with this incredible achievement that this project has made in these informal settlements,” says Green Corridors Green Spaces Project Officer, Musa Shange.
“It demonstrates how ‘change behaviour’ strategies can help improve the environment, and work towards creating healthier communities.”
For more information or to become involved in the Green Corridors AHP project, contact Musa Shange, musa@durbangreencorridor.co.za
Sources: Supplied
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