Reliance

Situated in the heart of the beautiful Cape Boland region, Reliance compost products are approved for use in Organic Agriculture. With a passion for quality and building a sustainable environment, we produce compost, which adheres to global standards ensuring a product that does not contaminate the environment. Our compost is tested for bacterial contamination, nutrient levels, insecticide/ pesticide contaminant levels and, of recent note, for radiation levels.

We provide compost to individuals, landscapers, nurseries, municipalities, schools, agriculture, food schemes and Non­Profit Organisations to name a few. Apart from sales, we also offer consultation services to businesses about composting and design of production facilities.

Some of the biggest environmental problems South Africa has to face are lack of fertile land, soil degradation and pollution of its rivers and groundwater. One of the main factors causing these problems is the excessive use of chemical fertilizers, but at Reliance, we make it our goal to tackle these problems in attempt to eradicate them.

The main input material for producing Reliance’s compost is municipal green waste, as well as alien vegetation that presents an environmental threat in the Western Cape. Each month, we collect approximately 50,000 m3 of chipped green garden refuse from 9 conveniently placed drop­off facilities and landfills around the City of Cape Town. Over the last decade, we have kept over 20,000,000 m3 of green garden refuse out of already overcrowded landfills. This resulted in reducing over 1 000 000 tons of carbon dioxide gas escaping into the atmosphere, thus mitigating the impacts caused by climate change.

Our composting technology has been approved as a Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction method, according to the guidelines of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Credible Carbon, in accordance with SO 14064­3 (International Organization for Standardization). Our technology has generated an excess of 1 000 000 tons CO2 (carbon credits). These are used making Reliance and other businesses carbon neutral.

Since 2008, our Growing Greener Generations journey continued to grow and beautify the Cape. We have seen and supported numerous tree planting and vegetable gardening projects in disadvantaged schools. From educating growing minds, to creating shaded and beautiful playgrounds, Reliance is committed to a greener generation. Being one of the few South African carbon neutral businesses; to date credits generated, and/or income derived thereof, has mainly been used to support local communities and to build sustainable environments, by providing job opportunities, donating compost, and offering “Know How.” Not only have the number of trees and gardens grown, but so have those in employment.  From a starting staff of 20, we now employ just under 200. We have also established 6 new independent businesses, on City owned drop­off facilities, managing incoming garden refuse. We are proud to say that our job creation projects now support more than 500 people from previously disadvantaged communities.