2024 ECO-INNOVATION Award Finalists
SUPPORTED BY
For an innovative Design, Construction, Technology, Methodology, Product or Service that serves the needs of humans whilst also being supportive of and beneficial for the Earth's biodiversity and eco-systems.
Endangered Wildlife Trust - eDNA by Samantha Mynhardtlisions
Dr Samantha Mynhardt’s pioneering work with environmental DNA (eDNA) reflects a transformative vision for conservation. By adapting eDNA techniques, traditionally used in marine biology, to terrestrial environments, she has developed a non-invasive, efficient method to detect and monitor elusive species. Her visionary approach led to one of Re:wild’s Top 25 Most Wanted lost species, the De Winton’s golden mole, being rediscovered after over 80 years in 2023, showcasing the potential for eDNA to revolutionise terrestrial species conservation and underscoring the effectiveness and impact of eDNA in detecting elusive species in nature. Collaborating with the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and South African universities, Dr Mynhardt’s work advances not only scientific knowledge, but by training young scientists and community members in eDNA techniques, Dr Mynhardt is fostering the next generation of conservationists and expanding the reach of her innovative methods.
Inverroche Bee&Bee (Company: Grid Worldwide)
Solitary Bees are essential for populating 1/3 of the world’s food crops, but most people don’t know they exist. Unlike the well-known Honeybee, they don’t live in hives, they live in naturally occurring holes found in places like decaying trees and riverbanks. Due to urbanisation, their habitat and nesting grounds are fast disappearing. Inverroche values sustainability as one of their guiding principles, and appreciate that these bees pollinate their Gin’s key ingredient Fynbos, a rare botanical found only in the Cape Floral Biome. While we knew we couldn’t stop the urban sprawl, we could help alleviate some of its harmful effects. The answer lay in bee hotels. Bee hotels mimic Solitary Bee’s natural nesting grounds, and we found an innovative way to incorporate them into their packaging. We call it the Inverroche Bee&Bee. Packaging that houses gin, and once reassembled and hung outdoors, Solitary Bees too, enabling consumers to provide Solitary Bees with safe new homes in theirs.
Urban Surfer - Project: Sorting & Solar baling reclaimer camp in Parktown
Reclaimer sorting & solar baling camp. Providing a sense of dignity, belonging and sustainable income to informal waste reclaimers and their families. This project transformed the lives of reclaimers who were living and sorting recyclables in a park in Johannesburg.
Through reclaimer inclusive engagement & solutions, we provided a secure camp for them to conduct their recycling. This camp includes accommodation, sorting areas, solar baling, toilet, water, gas, shower, collection trolleys, safety clothing and PPE. The camp was constructed in April 2024 and recycling activities commenced on 1 May 2024. The camp includes a food garden and composting of food waste. Reclaimers have smart phone with a camp management application where they can log their collected recyclables. Data from this project is collected on first mile collection in the suburbs through GPS tracking on collection trolleys and data on all collected recyclables. Project sponsorship through Hollard Insurance and Polyco.