Environmental, Waste Management and Recycling
As enshrined in the South African Constitution, every citizen has the right to a clean and safe environment. In support of the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment, MARU remains committed to the Polokwane Declaration of zero waste to landfill sites which has just been revised recently to 70% waste diversion from the landfill site by 2022. The company plays a leading role in Separation at Source and in diverting waste away from landfill sites. This is done through ongoing education and awareness campaigns that are aiming at changing people`s attitudes about the way manage their waste and the environment.
Maru works with municipalities and communities in formal and informal settlements to raise awareness on sustainable waste management, promotion of separation of waste at source into different streams, activate environmental clean-up activities and ensure that there is job creation, enterprise development and capacity building at community level. Through the environmental management programs Maru partners with different stakeholders to clean up streets, pick up litter from public places, clean up river banks and raise awareness on the dangers of illegal dumping. Our goal is to reduce waste that goes to the landfill site while keeping our communities clean and reducing environmental pollution caused by illegal dumping. We believe that educated communities are the first line of defence against environmental pollution.
Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM)
Maru has over the years seen how carbon emission has greatly affected the environment and brought about global warming. In some cases, the environment has suffered due to deforestation and mismanagement of natural resources. Maru works with communities in greening and conserving their environment and natural resources. This is done by running tree planting programs in schools, homes and where possible streets.
The trees help fight carbon emission whilst releasing oxygen for people and animals. The Trees for School Fees and food gardens program assists leaners to grow and look after their gardens and trees which they can harvest later and be able to pay school fees. Maru runs CBNRM workshops and awareness raising within communities in order to encourage communities to manage and preserve their natural resources.
Inclusion of Communities surrounding Protected areas into the Wildlife Economy
Maru works with communities around protected areas (national parks or game reserves) to ensure that there is community beneficiation through participation. Maru facilitates conflict resolution between protected areas’ management and surrounding communities to ensure that there is co-management of natural resources within protected areas. With the help Maru offers, communities become first line of defence in the protection of wildlife and mostly endangered species. Maru goes a step further to capacitate community owned businesses to supply goods and services to the lucrative, more than R3bn per annum wildlife economy.