Living plastic-free and actively reducing waste are not merely lifestyle trends; they are foundational pillars of a sustainable future. When we examine waste through the lens of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the interconnectedness of our daily choices becomes undeniably clear:

• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): Directly challenges us to substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse (Target 12.5) while ensuring the environmentally sound management of chemicals and plastics throughout their life cycle.
• SDG 14 (Life Below Water): Targets the prevention and significant reduction of marine pollution of all kinds, particularly from land-based activities including plastic debris that harms marine biodiversity.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Emphasises reducing the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, specifically through spatial planning, municipal waste management, and circular economy practices.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): Addressing waste directly cuts greenhouse gas emissions, both by diverting organic waste that produces methane in landfills and by avoiding the heavy carbon emissions associated with manufacturing virgin plastics and textiles.

The macro scale: how green building certifications cut waste and plastic

At Solid Green, we see firsthand how high-performance built environments drive circularity. Green building rating tools such as Green Star, LEED, EDGE, and GBCSA Net Zero Waste are powerful structural mechanisms for eliminating waste long before a building even opens its doors.

1. Construction & demolition waste diversion

During construction and refurbishment, unmanaged waste can have a major negative impact on the direct physical environment and the general environment. Green building certifications require Construction Waste Management Plans (CWMPs), with the newer Green Star V2 tool mandating this. Projects are required to audit, sort, and track waste streams, diverting anywhere from 50% to over 95% of demolition and construction materials away from landfills through material recovery, adaptive reuse, and composting.

2. Operational waste & material audits

Once occupied, green-certified buildings target operational waste through dedicated rating criteria (such as Green Star’s MAT-2 Solid Waste Management or LEED Zero Waste). This involves:

• Infrastructure for Separation: Installing multi-stream recycling stations and dedicated organic composting facilities in tenant spaces to eliminate single-use plastic contamination.
• Procurement Policies: Encouraging sustainable building operations that eliminate single-use plastics in corporate canteens, events, and facilities management.
• Waste Audits: Conducting continuous waste stream audits to track diversion metrics and hold waste contractors accountable to verified compliance standards.

The personal scale: mindfulness in everyday practice

While green building standards provide the structural framework, ongoing change also relies on personal accountability. Over the past year, I have made intentional shifts in my own household to align my daily habits with the very goals we advocate for professionally.

1. The glass transition (done mindfully)

I made a deliberate decision to stop purchasing plastic food containers and replace them with glass alternatives. However, true zero-waste living requires avoiding the trap of “sustainability consumerism.”

Rather than throwing out perfectly functional plastic containers simply because they are plastic, which would generate immediate waste, I adopted a gradual replacement strategy. I continue using our existing plastic containers for as long as they remain usable and safe, replacing them with durable glass alternatives only when they reach the end of their functional life.

2. Curbing textile and fashion waste

Textile production is one of the world’s most resource-intensive and polluting industries. To minimise fashion waste in my home:

• minimalist purchasing: I consciously restrict how many new clothing items I buy, prioritising longevity over fast-fashion trends.
• gender-neutral quality for kids: When buying clothes for my children, I choose high-quality, durable, gender-neutral pieces. This ensures that garments can seamlessly be handed down between siblings and family members, extending their life cycle for years.

3. Mending and Repurposing

Before any household fabric or garment gets discarded, I use my sewing machine to give it a second life. Mending worn seams, altering fits, or repurposing old textiles into kitchen cleaning cloths, household rags, or craft projects keeps fabric out of the waste stream and reduces the need for new single-use paper or plastic goods.

Collective action: voices from the Solid Green team

Sustainability is a collective culture. As part of our ongoing SDG series, here is where we spotlight the creative, practical ways my colleagues across Solid Green are reducing waste and living plastic-free.

Team spotlight & tips

Jennifer Dean: repurposing & plant propagation

Before sending food packaging to the recycling bin, give it a second functional life! I use larger plastic yogurt and ice cream containers as plant starters by simply punching a few drainage holes in the bottom. For water plant propagation, glass jars and containers work brilliantly, turning kitchen waste into green home decor. I also save plastic lids separately to donate to ‘Help the Sweethearts Foundation’, proving that even the smallest plastic components can create meaningful social and environmental impact.

Marloes Reinink: urban composting & community eco-bricks

Living in an apartment shouldn’t stop you from recycling! The key to effective recycling is keeping organic (wet) waste out of your dry recyclables, so I set up a Bokashi system. I keep a small tub on my kitchen counter and empty it into my Bokashi bucket every few days. Once the bucket is full and has fermented for a month, I transfer it to the compost area I set up in our communal garden.

To tackle soft plastics, I also started an Eco-Brick initiative in our building. Residents drop all soft plastics into a dedicated blue bin, and two ladies in our building use the plastic to make Eco-Bricks, earning a small fee for each brick they produce. Once they’re ready, I drop the finished Eco-Bricks off at Jackson’s Real Food Market! It’s a win-win for local livelihoods and waste reduction.

The way forward

Whether we are certifying multi-million-rand precincts to achieve Net Zero Waste or simply mending a pair of trousers at home, the underlying principle remains identical: resources are finite, and every item deserves a circular lifecycle.

By pairing rigorous corporate benchmarks with conscious everyday habits, we move closer to a resilient, low-carbon, and plastic-free future. What is one small waste-reduction swap you can make today?

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A Toast to Ten

The 10-year anniversary celebrations began with “Toast to Ten” at Constantia Glen Winery in Cape Town on 16 September 2025. The relaxed networking evening brought together developers, financiers and consultants for an informal celebration of collaboration and innovation.

Ommid Saberi and Prashant Kapoor, co-founders of EDGE, led the toast — reflecting on the journey from a small pilot to a globally recognised green building standard. Guests enjoyed a warm, community-focused evening of coffee, mocktails, and conversation around sustainability and design excellence.

Insights from the EDGE Summit

The following day, The Westin Cape Town hosted the EDGE Summit & Gala, a platform for sharing research, celebrating achievements, and exploring the future of green building.

Kushinga Kambarami, EDGE Africa Lead, opened the summit with a presentation on the EDGE journey in Africa. Speakers including Sibusiso Ndlovu, Avuyile Kewana, and Blake Bowden of IHS Housing shared inspiring stories of innovation and social impact, including more than 13,000 EDGE-certified homes across South Africa.

A key theme of the event was capacity building. A panel featuring Solid Green’s Wardah Peters and experts from Peru, India and Indonesia discussed how training, education and collaboration are vital to expanding green skills across the sector. Partnerships with Balwin, Nedbank and IFC were highlighted as drivers of large-scale, sustainable development.

In a subsequent discussion on quality assurance, representatives from Camacol, Sintali, GBCI, GBCSA, and Bureau Veritas emphasised the importance of maintaining global certification standards and continuous improvement.

Recognising Champions and Looking Ahead

The Summit celebrated EDGE Champions — organisations whose leadership and commitment have shaped the programme’s success in South Africa. Honorees included Solid Green Consulting, Balwin, Nedbank, IHS, Equites, Kasada, and Savvy Green.

In a heartfelt address, Prashant Kapoor and Ommid Saberi shared the founder story, recalling the inception of EDGE and unveiling the next chapter:

• EDGE V4, a performance-based update to the certification model.
• EDGE for Operations, a new tool to track ongoing building performance.
• Integration with IFC’s wider sustainability tools such as APEX Green Cities and Eco-Industrial Parks.
• The Sustainable Buildings Finance Guide, aimed at unlocking future green investment.

The Gala: A Celebration of Impact

The festivities concluded with a Gala Dinner celebrating innovation, resilience and leadership. Guests enjoyed local cuisine, music, and awards honouring trailblazers in sustainable development.

Solid Green Consulting was recognised as a Premier Service Provider, with 61 completed certifications spanning 5.1 million square meters, representing 4.15% of the total global certified area under EDGE.

The evening closed with dancing, laughter, and a shared sense of pride in how far the green building movement has come — and how much further it can go.

Moving Forward

For Solid Green, EDGE’s 10-year milestone is both a celebration and a call to action. The firm continues to lead with technical excellence, education and innovation, fostering new partnerships and mentoring the next generation of green leaders.

As EDGE enters its second decade, one message rings clear: sustainability is no longer optional — it’s the foundation of the built environment’s future.

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This achievement marks a shift in approach for Ecobank Zimbabwe, where sustainability is no longer viewed as an afterthought but as an integral part of the project’s design, construction and operational process. Key to this shift has been the adoption of a more integrated design approach, involving technical experts from the outset to ensure all systems — envelope, energy, water, and materials — work together to deliver performance.

The EDGE certification of the Ecobank Head Office highlights the company’s leadership in sustainable development, reinforcing its broader ESG commitments and supporting regional sustainability goals.

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I studied a B.Sc. Property Development at the University of KwaZulu Natal, and then completed an Honours in Quantity Surveying at the same institution. I have also obtained the IFC Edge Expert Certificate.

As a young person, I am excited to be part of the growing field of sustainability. I am particularly excited to start my sustainability career at a consulting firm like Solid Green that has a lot of skin in the game. I think what is important to me now is to learn as much as I can to propel my career forward.

My experience at Solid Green is definitely influencing my direction. Prior to working here, I had no idea that green building and sustainability extended to all the areas that I have been exposed to in recent months. I feel that my time at Solid Green is broadening my understanding of green building and sustainability, helping to shape my career direction, and fuelling my eagerness to continue learning and contributing to the industry.

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The Lincoln Carlswald and The Mallard

Leogem Property Developments secured EDGE certifications for two developments in Johannesburg.

The Lincoln Carlswald in Midrand spans an area of roughly 28,560sqm and is designed to capture the experience of country living in the heart of the city. With 136 units across four different block typologies, the project achieved an EDGE Advanced certification with 50,35% energy savings, 24,14% water savings, and 41% material savings.

Located in Bryanston, The Mallard comprises 14 exclusive 3- and 4-bedroom freestanding homes covering 3,819sqm. The project achieved an EDGE Advanced certification by demonstrating 44,9% energy savings, 32,16% water savings, and 50% material savings.

Izinga and Mooikloof Eco Estates

Balwin Properties secured two EDGE certifications for large residential developments – one in Kwa-Zulu Natal and one in Gauteng.

Located in Umhlanga, KZN, Izinga Eco Estate is a residential development with phase 1 comprising 43 three-story blocks, with a total of 423 units across 11 different block typologies. The site is strategically situated in a prime area that offers easy access to all the conveniences of city living. A Lifestyle Centre is also planned for the development and will include a gym with outdoor fitness area; padel, soccer and basketball courts; a spa, restaurant and cinema; and a meeting and function room. Izinga was awarded an EDGE Advanced certification, exemplifying achievement in energy savings (42%), water savings (35%) and less embodied energy in materials (59%).

Mooikloof Eco Estate, an apartment complex in Pretoria East, has 84 distinct buildings containing 998 units across four block typologies. The estate is located close to retail hubs like the Atterbury Value Mart and Menlyn Maine, as well as other amenities like education and healthcare facilities. The project’s Lifestyle Centre includes a gym, spa, games room, restaurant, pool, playground and convenience store. Mooikloof was awarded an EDGE Advanced certification, exemplifying achievement in energy savings (44%), water savings (37%) and less embodied energy in materials (39%).

For both projects, the measures targeted for Energy were:

• reduced window to wall ratio
• shading
• energy efficient refrigerators and washing machines
• energy saving light bulbs (both internally and externally)
• solar photovoltaics
• smart meters.

For Water, the measures targeted were:

• low flow showerheads
• low flow taps for washbasins
• low flow kitchen sink mixers
• dual flush toilets.

To find out how we can support you in your EDGE certification journey, reach out to hello@solidgreen.co.za.

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At 154,372sqm, the newly completed Pick n Pay Distribution Centre at Eastport Logistics Park in Kempton Park is the largest single-phase warehousing development in South Africa.

Earlier this year, the project was awarded an EDGE Advanced Preliminary certification, exemplifying achievement in the following areas:

• Energy Savings: 49%
• Water Savings: 35%
• Less Embodied Energy in Materials: 52%

Image credit: Fortress Real Estate

The site is close to OR Tambo International Airport and, upon completion, the new distribution centre will cater to Pick n Pay’s Inland region, serving stores across Gauteng, Limpopo, North West, Mpumalanga, and Free State. The facility is divided into three main sections: Drygoods spanning just over 94,000sqm; Perishables, a refrigerated chamber of nearly 46,000sqm; and the Returns-and-Recoveries (R&R) warehouse of approximately 12,000sqm. A relatively modest administrative section of about 1,500sqm was constructed separately from the warehouse facilities.

Image credit: Fortress Real Estate

Units on Jorissen

Situated on Jorissen Street in the Johannesburg CBD, in close proximity to Wits University, this luxury student accommodation development has 1,071 beds available, ranging from 4-bedroom to 8-bedroom units, each featuring single lockable bedrooms for privacy. Each unit includes a fridge and two bathrooms. Fully equipped communal kitchens contain all amenities such as stove, microwave, cupboards, and sink.

Image credit: RISE Student Living

On the 7th of February 2023, the project was awarded an EDGE Advanced Preliminary certification, exemplifying achievement in the following areas:

• Energy Savings: 50.34%
• Water Savings: 40.65%
• Less Embodied Energy in Materials: 45.59%

Image credit: RISE Student Living

Barloworld Equipment, Gaborone

The Barloworld Equipment project is a light industrial development in Gaborone, Botswana. The project achieved an EDGE Advanced (Level 2) Preliminary Certification with the GBCl on the 15th of June 2023. Solid Green performed the design audit, while Time Developments provided EDGE expertise.

Owned by Barloworld Equipment Southern Africa, the development comprises one main building with ground and first floors. The ground floor is where all the industrial activity such as welding and repairs will take place, with a small office space at the back. The first floor is the main office area for admin support. Surrounding the main building are small buildings such as two guard houses, pump and oil stores, a paint booth and wash bay.

Image credit: Time Projects

Overall savings are anticipated to be 51.11% for Energy, 29.34% for Water, and 30.65% for Embodied Energy in Materials.

Image credit: Time Projects

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I’ve always been passionate about sustainability in the built environment. Back when I was 20 years old, I did my first internship in the UK with a company that provided similar services to Solid Green, so I think sustainability has always been a part of who I am. I joined the built environment because I’ve always wanted to make a positive difference in the industry, and what better way to make a difference than by furthering sustainability? It may be only a small difference, but I am proud that I am contributing to a better future.

Being part of a team that’s always on the ball, constantly helping each other and motivating each other, is such a positive experience. We are actively engaging and taking initiative to solve problems and drive direction without waiting for direction. This is a critical factor in working towards the main goal of sustainability within the built environment and breaking sustainability barriers within and outside of South Africa.

My experience at Solid Green is definitely influencing my direction. Before I went to China, I studied the same course at Wits and one of the requirements for entrance was an essay about a picture that was provided. The picture was of a dilapidated building. I chose to write an essay on the topic of sustainability – that the perfect building already exists. It does not require destruction of the old to create new but, instead, the old can inform the new through re-use, re-purpose and using better methods to build upon what already exists. This ensures longevity, reduction in waste and, ultimately, making sure that future generations can still experience what we have today. I can confidently say that I am still on the right personal path.

The post Kayce Theunissen is taking the initiative to further Sustainability appeared first on Solid Green Consulting.

Alex Varughese, Modelling and Simulations Consultant at Solid Green explains that a 60kWp photovoltaic solar array will supply energy to all the building’s facilities, actively reduce peak electrical demand, and produce 83.28MWh annually. When modelled during the project’s design stages, the building showed a 108% improvement over a Green Star baseline building, with energy usage anticipated to be 18kWh/m²/year. This will significantly contribute to the Net Zero Carbon rating, together with features such as efficient lighting, individual switching for all enclosed spaces, and natural ventilation for over 90% of the spaces.

Nomamfengu Mbele, Sustainable Building Consultant at Solid Green, adds that ample natural light without glare was achieved using large overhangs and clerestory windows. Together with views to the exterior for 60% of the Occupied Area, this offers a strong sense of seasonal and diurnal cycles. A high level of thermal comfort was also ensured by addressing the internal operative temperatures through modelling and ensuring they are within the ASHRAE Standard 55-2004 Acceptability Limits for at least 98% of occupied hours.

To assist with gathering key information vital to managing building systems and to assessing opportunities for resource savings, sub-metering of major energy and water consuming systems is in place. Water efficient fittings and a grey water system installed to reuse water used in the ablutions for irrigation purposes, go a long way to reducing the lifestyle centre’s water consumption.

Balwin Properties has exceeded the Green Star credits required for this certification by implementing several innovation measures. Five members of the design team and four members of Balwin’s contractor team completed the GBCSA’s New Buildings online course. In addition, Indoor Air Quality monitors will be installed which are linked to the Solid Insight platform to measure and communicate the air quality in each space.

Other innovations include implementing biophilic design to prioritise the human-nature connection and to create a mood of rest and wellbeing through the use of colour, light and texture. And over 8% of the contract value was made up of materials with high recycled content such as reused tyres and rubber in the flooring materials (which exceeds the Green Star benchmark of 1%). Circuit level metering was also used to support the Net Zero target – so that each light and power socket on each space is monitored in order for the facilities management team to intervene accurately whenever there is an unusual trend in energy consumption.

A project specific Environmental Management Plan was developed and implemented throughout the duration of construction to minimise the environmental impact associated with building activities, and a project specific Waste Management Plan was developed and implemented to minimise the contribution of waste going to landfill. The lifestyle centre also promotes the use of alternative fuel vehicles, motorbikes and bicycles with designated parking spaces near building entrances for occupants with zero to low carbon emitting modes of transport.

In addition to the Lifestyle Centre certifications, Ballito Hills estate has 1320 residential units that have received preliminary EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) certification, by achieving 20% savings in the Energy, Water and Materials categories.

Ballito Hills Lifestyle Centre has implemented sustainable design and building service initiatives which can be recognized as world leadership. By setting ambitious targets with these key certifications, the Estate has demonstrated both vision and commitment towards more sustainable construction practices and operations.

Project Team

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Makhosazana Mthethwa, Sustainable Building Consultant at Solid Green, says that EDGE, an innovation of the IFC, was used as a fast, easy and affordable certification tool for the Hotel to benchmark its green building strategies. The tool was also easily customisable to Ghana’s local context. Edge Preliminary Certification is used to recognise a building’s green interventions during Design Phase. This process will be repeated, and the hotel audited, at the post-construction stage to earn final EDGE certification.

“The Pullman Accra Airport Hotel is committed to sustainability and so achieving third party verification for their efforts to go green is a major priority,” she says.

This EDGE certification demonstrates Pullman’s leadership as well as advocacy in the green building sector. The benefits of the energy and water efficiency measures will include lower operational costs, and will result in market differentiation as the hotel is likely to attract more clientele who are environmentally conscious.

The reduction in energy consumption was due to the following measures:

• A reduced window to wall ratio of 30%.
• Well insulated external walls.
• An energy efficient air conditioning system with Air Cooled Screw Chiller with a COP (coefficient of performance) of 4.
• A high efficiency boiler for water heating.
• 100% LED energy-saving light bulbs for all internal and external spaces.
• Occupancy sensors were used in the hotel common areas so that lights are only on when they need to be, while room cards will be used to control lighting in the hotel rooms.

To achieve the 26% reduction in water consumption, low-flow fittings such as showerheads and faucets were specified throughout the hotel, with efficient dual flush for water closets in all bathrooms. Auto shut-off faucets were specified in public bathrooms, together with water efficient kitchen faucets.

Embodied energy savings on materials were largely due to the medium weight hollow concrete blocks used for internal and external walls; and wall insulation was significantly improved with a 100mm wide air gap.

According to TripAdvisor, close to 60% of travellers make eco-friendly choices when booking hotels. With its EDGE certification, the Pullman Accra Airport City Hotel will therefore not only save resources and improve operational costs, but also boost profit margins and safeguard against occupancy risk.

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In 2019, we have been heartened to see the green building movement gaining more traction through the development and adoption of ever-more stringent green rating tools; and we are excited by the increasing global awareness of the immediate need for climate action, especially among young people. This change cannot happen fast enough!

The inaugural events of the Living Future Collaborative South Africa, initiated by Marloes Reinink and Thulani Kuzwayo last year, were part of the ‘24 Hours of Reality: Truth in Action’ global conversation, and sought to drive positive action in moving towards a truly regenerative built environment. This sector-leading approach is something that we bring home every day, and we are incredibly proud that seven of the twenty-five Net Zero Accredited Professionals in South Africa are Solid Greeners!

We have achieved several significant ratings this year, thanks to the vision of our clients and hard work of professional teams. These projects include Sandton Gate’s Sustainable Precincts certification; GEMS Menlyn Maine’s 5-Star Office v1.1 Design certification, which scored very well under Innovation; the new office for MDA Attorneys by Activate Architecture, one of the first buildings in the country to receive a Net Zero Carbon pilot certification; and KFC Newmarket, which achieved a prestigious LEED certification under the LEED 2009 for Retail – New Construction tool.

GEMS Menlyn Maine

MDA Attorneys

Perhaps the most impressive of these achievements is the certification of Balwin Properties residential portfolio under the EDGE tool. Comprising 16,000 units, this is the largest certification of its kind in the world! We are also working on three sector-leading projects that are targeting Living Building Challenge certifications – 4 Rugby Road and 28 Glencoe Road, both in Cape Town (Full LBC certifications); and 76 Corlett Drive in Johannesburg (LBC Petal Certification).

76 Corlett Drive in Johannesburg

Our commitment to driving change was recognised in the awards received by two of our ‘first-of-a-kind’ certified projects – Streetlight Schools’ GOLD award under the Eco-Build category at the Eco-Logic Awards 2019; and 78 Corlett Drive, which won the prestigious OVERALL GREEN AWARD at the SAPOA Property Development Awards for Innovative Excellence 2019.

EcoLogic EcoBuild winners

Our foray into other African countries is also making an impact. In June, Solid Green was represented at the Ghana Green Building Summit by Chilufya Lombe, who spoke and conducted a workshop on high-performance buildings. And, in October, Marloes Reinink and Makhosazana Mthethwa conducted three one-day green building training workshops around the Green Building Requirements within the new Ghana Building Code for the IFC.

Ghana Training

Marloes and Chilu on a Sunset Cruise

We may work hard, but we also play hard! Our year kicked off with three days at the self-catering Blue Sky Lodge in Hartbeespoort, learning, exploring and generally having fun as part of our annual team building event. And, in May, Marloes Reinink and Gavin Westbrook were fortunate enough to attend the Living Future unConference 2019 in Seattle Washington, which included an inspiring visit to the world-renown Bullitt Center – the very first FULL Living Building Challenge certified commercial building. And, of course, let’s not forget the memorable award for ‘Best Dressed Team’ under the theme TRASHION at the GBCSA’s Green Building Convention in October!

Finally, we have been privileged to welcome two new young members to the Solid Green family – Mbongiseni Thwala, Solid Green’s recently appointed office assistant; and Andile Shange, Sustainable Building Consultant who is focusing on Green Interiors. We are so privileged to be able to share our journey with these young people under the guidance of our more experienced professionals.

We would like to thank all our clients and colleagues for your ongoing support and vision, and we look forward to celebrating our 10th birthday with you in 2020 at our new home in Parkhurst, Johannesburg!

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