Khwezi Innovations addresses the environmental challenge of plastic waste caused by the improper disposal of disposable latex gloves. Commonly used in industrial, medical, and everyday settings, these gloves often end up in landfills and waterways, contributing to pollution and harming wildlife. In response, the company has developed a biodegradable 2-in-1 glove sanitizer that combines the functionality of a protective glove and hand sanitizer in a single, eco-friendly product. The glove provides up to one hour of protection, then peels off and dissolves in water within minutes, leaving no waste behind. Made from locally sourced organic materials in South Africa, the product supports environmental health while stimulating local green business. This solution offers a sustainable alternative to traditional gloves and contributes to reducing marine plastic pollution and landfill burden.

AdamVirgo addresses the persistent problem of illegal garbage dumping in and around townships and villages in South Africa, which leads to river pollution and marine life degradation. The proposed solution is a municipal skip bin system equipped with an AI-based reward mechanism to incentivize proper waste disposal. The system integrates facial recognition or fingerprint authentication and automated doors that open and close to regulate usage. Each time a registered user deposits garbage into the bin, the system records the waste volume and allocates reward points to the user’s mobile number. These points can be redeemed for basic goods at local retail stores, creating a direct benefit for responsible waste disposal behavior. The bin includes internal garbage sensors and tamper-proof tubing to protect electronic components, ensuring durability and scalability.

The technology developed by the team provides an energy-efficient method to treat industrial brines and leachate from hazardous landfill sites by recovering clean water, sodium sulphate, and sodium chloride through freeze crystallization. Unlike traditional distillation, which is energy-intensive and limited in effectiveness at high salt concentrations, freeze crystallization leverages the low solubility of salts at low temperatures to enable stepwise recovery of valuable by-products. The process involves cooling saline effluents to freeze water and precipitate salts such as sodium sulphate (solubility: 45 g/L at 0°C) and sodium chloride (350 g/L), which are separated and recovered. The resulting clean water is obtained from melted ice, while the salts can be reused in industrial applications such as glass and soap manufacturing or animal feed. Brine is recycled within the system, minimizing waste. This method requires significantly less energy (330 kJ/kg) compared to evaporation (2200 kJ/kg), making it a cost-effective and scalable solution for water recovery and brine management in industries producing high-salinity wastewater.

A research team at the University of Johannesburg is developing a Pure Electric Vehicle (PEV) designed to reduce environmental pollution from conventional agricultural machinery. Led by Prof. Nnamdi Nwulu and Mr. Musole I. Muheme, the initiative addresses the need for cleaner, energy-efficient alternatives in the agricultural sector. The PEV integrates advanced control technologies, including a loop controller that minimizes voltage drop and optimizes power use. With remote control functionality to support precision farming, the vehicle is tailored to the needs of small-scale agricultural operations. The solution offers a sustainable, low-emission alternative that contributes to both environmental conservation and improved farming efficiency.

The Waste Takers is a South African company that develops waste management solutions through digital tools and behavior-based solutions. In response to widespread challenges such as poor municipal waste service delivery, limited recycling infrastructure, and low rates of separation at source, The Waste Takers has developed the TWT Smart App and Smart Bins - a platform that connects waste generators with waste collectors across the entire value chain. Through the TWT Smart App, users can access real-time information, schedule waste collections, track impact, and earn rewards for correct recycling practices. The Waste Takers encourages a culture of recycling and environmental stewardship. Smart Bins integrated with IoT technology help optimize collection logistics and provide data insights to improve efficiency and reduce operational costs.

SOLDEVCO (Pty) Ltd develops and supplies solutions for water management and treatment across agriculture, aquaculture, hydroponics, irrigation and wastewater applications. It is a 100% youth women-owned enterprise, with a management team bringing a combined 45 years of experience in civil engineering and water quality management. Soldevco’s offerings include Ultra-Oxygen™ technology, which uses micro- and ultrafine bubble generation to increase dissolved oxygen levels and support improved water quality and nutrient delivery. The company also provides complementary solutions such as the UO2-Drylet biocatalyst for bioremediation, UO2-Quantum Disinfection™ systems based on silver-infused ceramic media and IoT-enabled platforms for real-time monitoring and control of water parameters. The company operates in the manufacturing, agriculture, forestry and fishing, and professional, scientific, and technical services sectors. Its technologies are deployed in South Africa and select international markets, including Europe and the Middle East, and are applied in projects related to water efficiency, pollution management, and sustainable resource use.

Advocates for Green Environment is a startup company focused on the development of sustainable building materials derived from waste streams. The company operates within the construction and built environment sector, with an emphasis on resource recovery and material innovation. Its activities center on transforming waste into functional construction products, contributing to circular economy principles by reducing landfill disposal and supporting more sustainable material supply chains. Through research, product development, and applied innovation, Advocates for Green Environment works to integrate eco-conscious practices into conventional construction processes. The company’s work supports environmentally responsible development and the creation of more sustainable communities by promoting the use of alternative materials with reduced environmental impact.

Univers Casa Bio produces and sells biochar as a clean alternative to traditional wood charcoal and offers biofertilizers as substitutes for chemical fertilizers. Their products are eco-friendly and economical, emitting less smoke and CO₂, and are packaged in biodegradable bags. These can be purchased with “green vouchers” and delivered directly to households. The company offers a range of biocombustibles tailored to various culinary needs (e.g., tea, meals, grilling, fish smoking, incense, fire starters) and a variety of biofertilizers for use by farmers, market gardeners, and home gardeners. Both product lines are available in multiple sizes and formats to meet diverse use cases.

NRT (Ngom Recyclage Transformation) offers an innovative solution to plastic pollution in Senegal, where over 250,000 tons of plastic are produced annually, but only 8% are recycled. The company developed a patented machine—unique in Africa—that can recycle aluminum packaging films, a type of waste previously considered unrecyclable. Beyond aluminum films, NRT collects and processes various plastics (HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, PP, PET), transforming them into durable products such as mats and household items. By partnering with youth groups, waste collectors, and companies like Auchan and Senico, NRT creates local economic opportunities, reduces environmental pollution, and supports public health. Their circular economy model integrates social impact, environmental protection, and innovation, positioning NRT as a scalable, sustainable alternative to conventional recycling approaches.