The Greater Tygerberg Partnership (GTP) has received R600 000 and an electric trike van to boost its project collecting recyclable waste in Bellville, the organisation said.
The Extended Producer Responsibility Waste Association of South Africa (eWASA) made the donations, and, in return, will benefit from some of the recyclable waste that is collected.
The organisations aim to reduce waste going to landfills while supporting informal waste collectors in Bellville.
The funding will help the GTP’s Bellville recycling centre acquire an industrial shredding machine, a baling machine, bulk bags, and sorting tables, said GTP project manager Monique Muller.
The year-long sponsorship for the MellowVan trike, starting in January next year, would support the 20 previously homeless people who used trolleys to collect waste in Bellville for the GTP’s recycling centre, said Ms Muller
“The main vision of this partnership is to divert waste from landfills. This is our main thing,” she said.
At the recycling centre on Wednesday, mayoral committee member for economic growth James Vos, praised the two organisations, saying, “Not only will this project critically reduce the impact on landfills, but it will also empower members of the community with necessary skills.”
Etienne Basson, eWASA national project manager, said: “We want to support and develop a central recycling facility because that is really how we are going to create pathways for small businesses and waste entrepreneurs to thrive in the circular economy or the recycling economy.”
Warren Hewitt, chief executive officer of GTP, said: “By investing in our community’s homeless individuals, we are not only improving local recycling but also providing valuable job skills and dignified income opportunities.”
