Belinda Putterill

Belinda Putterill, the managing director of Use- it Waste Beneficiation, a non-profit company operating within the waste value chain, reflects on her origins with a sense of nostalgia.

“My story began in a small town,” she shares. Born in Pietermaritzburg, Belinda grew up in Bergville and spent her childhood in Colenso, a town that shaped much of her early life. “I attended Estcourt High School for a while and then matriculated from Ladysmith High School,” she says. Growing up in an era where “we got up to mischief because it was the normal thing to do,” Belinda developed a strong sense of community and resilience that would define her professional journey.

Belinda’s entry into the professional world was swift. “My first job was actually three days after completing matric,” she recalls. Having just finished her final exam, Belinda embarked on her career as a legal secretary for an attorney in Ladysmith. “It was quite an experience,” she notes.

A DIVERSE BACKGROUND
However, Belinda’s journey into the waste industry was not a direct one. “I have a diverse background, not specifically in the waste industry, but it’s always been environmentally focused,” she explains. Her path led her to Use-it nearly a decade ago, where she discovered her true passion. “Waste is so holistic,” she states. “You might think it’s just rubbish on the street, but when you look at the impact it has on our environment in its entirety, it’s a global problem.”

Initially, the magnitude of the waste issue seemed overwhelming. “It was almost too big for me,” she admits. However, she soon realised that by making even a small impact, she could contribute to a larger change. “If I could only just do one thing that could have an impact, it would snowball,” she says. At Use-it, Belinda finds purpose in addressing waste management challenges and making a tangible difference in communities. “We sit above the value chain of waste, identifying where the problematic waste streams are and what the roadblocks are,” she explains. But what drives her the most is the social responsibility aspect of the work. “We work with communities on the ground, and it gives me purpose every day to wake up and do more because of the impact change has on the beneficiaries with whom we work.”

Balancing a demanding career with personal responsibilities is no small feat, and Belinda is particularly proud of her ability to do so as a single mother. “Being a single mum for 16 years and a full- time working mum at that, while managing this all-encompassing job, has been challenging,” she acknowledges. “I’m proud to say that I’ve raised two amazing children who are both now in the final years of their studies. Hopefully, Mum will get a break soon,” she adds with a chuckle.

A LASTING IMPACT
The wisdom passed down from Belinda’s mother has played a significant role in shaping her outlook on life and work. “The best advice always comes from your mum,” she asserts, noting that it’s often a generational thing. One piece of advice, in particular, has had a lasting impact on her. “My mum told me not to look back on your past mistakes and see them as failures,” she shares. Instead, she was encouraged to view them as lessons from which to grow. “You can’t change what’s happened in the past, but you can definitely use the lessons learned to do better in the future,” Belinda explains.

In a field dominated by highly qualified academics, one of the biggest challenges that Belinda faced, she admits, has been that of self-doubt. Surrounded by peers with PhDs and extensive academic credentials, she found it difficult to see herself as their equal. “It’s intimidating,” she confesses. However, over time, Belinda has earned the respect of her colleagues and peers, which has significantly boosted her confidence. “I’m happy to say that my peers see me as their equal, which has really been amazing for me,” she says.

Belinda describes the team at Use-it as a family, with all the complexities that such a dynamic entails. “Use-it has a mantra: it’s the Use-it family,” she explains. “Sometimes we don’t like each other very much, but we’re stuck with each other, and we kind of stick together,” she says. “Our team, does have conflicts, but we resolve them in-house,” she notes. “We need to understand each other as individuals with different cultures and what our circumstances are at home to be able to support each other in the workplace.”

The non-profit environment, with its inherent funding challenges, adds another layer of difficulty. “Being in the non-profit environment, it’s not conducive to job security because we’re so funding dependent,” Belinda explains.

SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION
Belinda draws inspiration from her faith. “I will be honest, God, my faith, it’s a daily affirmation for me,” she says. This spiritual foundation provides her with strength and guidance in both her personal and professional life.

Reflecting on the past five years, Belinda acknowledges the challenges that the region has faced. “The past five years have been tough,” she says, noting the loss of significant industry in Durban and the resulting job losses. However, she sees hope on the horizon, particularly with the development of the Dube TradePort. “I think that is going to have a significant impact on Durban and Hammarsdale specifically,” she predicts.

Belinda also notes a shift in local government’s approach to the green economy. “Our local government has become more invested in the green economy,” she observes. This increased focus on environmental impact, combined with efforts to keep Durban’s River systems healthy and its beaches clean, gives her optimism for the future. “I think Durban is going to go a long way in the next five years,” she says with confidence.

Belinda’s personal motto reflects her innovative and open-minded approach to challenges. “My motto has always been: Don’t break out of the box; there is no box, anything is possible,” she shares.