Reducing Waste, Building Communities: Christopher de Bod Designs Leads the Way

Let’s hear from Christopher de Bod about the importance of sustainability in construction and design. As the founder of Christopher de Bod Designs, he shares his thoughts on the environmental impact of waste in the industry and the urgent need for change.

“At Christopher de Bod Designs, sustainability is at the core of our mission to create functional spaces for communities in need. As we move further into 2025, the urgency of environmental impact and waste reduction weighs heavily on my mind. Though I’m not an extreme “save the planet” activist, the detrimental effects of human activity on our environment have long been a concern.

“I’ve previously shared our efforts to manage and reduce waste within the company, but it’s become clear that the construction side of our work offers greater room for improvement. A 2022 study by Anne Fitchett of Wits University reveals that up to 30% of building materials delivered to a construction site end up as waste, contributing to the 5-8 million tonnes of construction waste generated annually in South Africa. Unfortunately, a minimal portion of this is recycled.

“While we can continue refining our design, specification, and budgeting processes to minimize waste from the outset, the challenge of demolition waste remains. To address this, we’ve partnered with Safari Investments RSA, a property investment company committed to enhancing communities through its CSI (Corporate Social Investment) projects.

“Safari Investments, a listed company on the JSE, owns nine retail properties and works on initiatives in communities such as Mamelodi, Sebokeng, and Atteridgeville. These projects—ranging from safe houses to schools and libraries—require significant building materials, fixtures, and labour. This is where we come in.

“As part of our partnership, we are donating usable building materials like sanitaryware, tiles, and excess supplies from our projects to Safari Investments for use in their community projects. Already, we’ve contributed complete basins with taps, shower doors, and some quartz counter slabs to one such initiative.

“This approach has multiple benefits: it keeps construction sites cleaner, reduces the amount of waste going to landfills, and helps build vital community infrastructure where it’s most needed.

“I encourage peers, colleagues, suppliers, and anyone in the industry to get involved. We can all make a difference by reducing waste and supporting these crucial community projects. Together, we can build a more sustainable future while helping those in need.”

For more information on Safari Investments’ CSI projects, contact Anne-Marie Kruger at 012 365 1889 or via e-mail at anne-marie@safari-investments.com.

Follow Christopher de Bod Designs on social media christopherdeboddesigns to stay updated on their efforts to make a difference.