Cape Town, South Africa
Up to 90% of marine litter is made up of plastics…
The CLiP Innovation Conference
Showcasing Science Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) solutions to tackle the problem of plastic waste in South Africa.
Marine litter is found in all the oceans of the world. It is found not only in densely populated parts but also in remote areas, far from obvious sources and human contact. Up to 90% of marine litter is made up of plastics, originating from both land and sea-based sources. This makes plastic pollution one of the most widespread problems facing our oceans today. If we are to tackle this issue, urgent, coordinated and effective action is paramount.
Speakers
Dr. Jaishela Rajput
Green Economy leader bringing a global perspective to the development of solutions for companies doing business in Africa. Jaisheila is passionate about empowering others to develop economic models for sustainability and inspiring change in the way we do business. She is a fervent believer in building practical and comprehensive solutions that unlock green business value with long term benefit and impacts.
Jaisheila is the Founder and CEO of TOMA-Now | Tomorrow Matters Now, value chain specialists leading the green economy in Cape Town, South Africa. Their client base is spread across Africa, Asia and Europe, focussing on global collaboration and input towards a sustainable future for all.
Jaisheila obtained a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Cape Town. From the beginning, she has leveraged her research and innovation capabilities to develop practical, industry relevant solutions. She has a career spanning nearly two decades in large corporates in the automotive, chemicals and construction industries. She has worked in several countries including South Africa, Germany and Hong Kong.
RECENT RECOGNITION • Finalists in the Climate Change category for the Enviropaedia and Eco-Logic Awards 2019. • Finalists in the Green Economy Enviropaedia and Eco-Logic Awards 2018, in recognition for work on Developing the Biomass Value Chain from harvested alien vegetation, which pose a threat to South Africa’s water security. • Business Women’s Association Regional Business Achiever Award finalist 2017. • Inspiring Fifty South Africa nominee recognising Women in Tech playing a leading role 2017. • Green economy flagship organisation 2015. Recognised by 110% Green, a Western Cape South African Government initiative. Flagship organisations make more than the usual commitment to growing the Green Economy in South Africa. We were the first consultancy to be recognised.
Douw Steyn
Douw Steyn joined the Plastics Federation of SA, as an Environmental Officer in June 1997, after working for the Population Development Program (PDP) in Kwazulu Natal for 12 years, where he was responsible for Population Education, Environment and Business.
Douw’s passion lies in guiding and supporting the South African plastics industry’s sustainability objectives in South Africa, ensuring environmental responsibility, as well as education of the public and awareness creation in terms of plastics, its uses and recycling.
He is an active member of various waste management and environmental organisations such as the Plastics Global Action Group on Marine Debris, the Electronic Waste Association of SA, Chairman of the National Recycling Forum SA and founder member/initiator of various organisations such as the Marine and Coastal Educators Forum, the International Coastal Clean-up SA, Clean-up SA Week and Recycling Day SA.
He is currently the Director Sustainability at Plastics|SA.
Douw studied Physical Education and is a qualified karate instructor and Master Diver, he enjoys the outdoors and scuba diving in particular.
Dr.-Ing. Harro von Blottnitz (Pr.Eng.)
Professor, University of CPT
Harro von Blottnitz is professor in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at the University of Cape Town (UCT), where he is based in the dynamic and successful Chemical Engineering Department. He defines his research and teaching interests by the multiple challenges of sustainable development in developing country settings.
Professor von Blottnitz holds a BSc in Chemical Engineering from UCT, a BSc Honours in Operations Research from UNISA, an MSc in Engineering from UCT and a Doctorate in Engineering from the RWTH Aachen in Germany. He was promoted to full professor in 2013 and is registered as a professional engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa. He has published widely in the fields of Life Cycle Assessment, Renewable Energy (biogas, biodiesel and bio-ethanol) and Waste Management, thanks to extensive supervision of postgraduate students researching these topics. Many of his graduates have gone on to practise as knowledge providers in the emerging green economy.
Dr Tony Ribbink
He also anticipated by many years the human rights issues current today by, for instance, initiating in the late 1970s the development of the Lake Malawi National Park in which villages were able to maintain their traditional rights.
In November 2007, Dr Ribbink became a founding trustee and CEO of Sustainable Seas Trust. From 1999 to 2005 he managed two international WWF projects on freshwaters, and concurrently, from 2002 to 2007, developed, raised the funds for and managed the African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme (ACEP). Dr Ribbink also received a gold medal from WWF for contributions to conservation and education and a silver medal for limnological research, an award only present four times since the society’s inception in 1964.
Jackie May
Jackie May has worked in big and medium-sized mainstream media organisations in London and South Africa for more than 25 years. Eighteen months ago, she founded Twyg, an agency that creates content, campaigns and events to creatively inspire a transition to sustainable living. The Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards were launched in July 2019.
Prior to launching Twyg, Jackie edited the South African edition of the international women’s fashion magazine, Marie Claire and was the Cape editor of the national newspaper, The Times. She has written an historical memoir, frontpage splashes, countless news stories and columns. She is on the South African team for Fashion Revolution.
Jackie has an MA in Philosophy from the University of London and is currently studying at the Sustainability Institute in Stellenbosch. She lives with her family in Cape Town.
Maria Honig
Maria is a passionate marine biologist who believes that people have the capacity to bring about real social change and to act to protect our marine world. She has 10 years of experience working on environmental and social development projects with a focus on the commercial fishing and ecotourism sectors, as well rural development. Maria has a deep understanding of the role that institutions can play in implementing innovative solutions to environmental and social challenges. She has worked as a researcher, facilitator and project manager, as well as a trainer for educational programmes focused on the youth and most marginal in society.
Tatenda Ruswa
