As part of its energy saving initiatives, the municipality is conducting a pilot to study the effectiveness of an insulated cooker by distributing it for use by selected households.

IN an effort to decrease the carbon footprint and teach communities about sustainable living, the eThekwini Municipality has distributed 3500 power saving and non-electricity Wonderbags as part of its energy saving initiatives.

“This is a pilot project to ascertain how effectively the Wonderbag will be used in households. We will have a team of people who will be monitoring the project. If the project is successful we will roll it out to other areas,” said Derrick Morgan senior manager eThekwini Municipality Energy Office.

Morgan added that the Wonderbag was not only energy efficient but it was also safe for children as there were no flames involved.

The Wonderbag is a simple and easy to use insulated cooker. It is made up of two poly-cotton bags filled with expanded polystyrene balls. It is ecologically harmless and fully recyclable.

The Wonderbag reduces cooking fuel consumption by 30-50%. It reduces the carbon emissions by approximately 500kg per year and saves at least 13 kWh of electricity and 1, 6 litres of paraffin per week.

Ward councillor Bhekisisa Mngadi said, “As the community we are very pleased to be playing a part in a pilot project of the Wonderbag. This will encourage community members to play a part in nature conservation.”

Community member Mduduzi Ndlovu said, “I am very happy to be part of this pilot project that cooks at methods that could help in conserving nature. We trust that the Municipality will get the results it wants, once the pilot has been completed.”

Source: www.durban.gov.za