COMMUNITY : The Challenge fund is designed to support up to 50 informal waste collectors over 2 years to develop their skills and capacity in recycling.
Audio is streamed directly from the publisher (traffic.omny.fm) as published in their RSS feed. Play Podcasts does not host this file. Rights-holders can request removal through the copyright & takedown page.
Show Notes
GUEST: ANGELA LUDEK - Project Officer Informal Sector Engagement - WasteAid
COMMUNITY
The Huhtamaki Wastepreneur Challenge has launched in Diepsloot, Johannesburg.
The Challenge fund is designed to support up to 50 informal waste collectors over 2
years to develop their skills and capacity in recycling.
It will involve a tailored 12-week holistic training course which will culminate in an
opportunity for candidates to pitch for seed funding to grow their business.
Following on from Huhtamaki’s initial investment in the Circular Economy Network, a leading
global sustainable packaging producer is partnering with WasteAid once again to provide
investment in South Africa to support young people who are trying to start up in the waste
management industry. Over 90% of recycled waste collected in South Africa is carried out by
the informal sector. Many of these collectors are low-income earners, living on less than 50
Rand a day (GBP £2.50). WasteAid, a UK based International NGO, has been pioneering
approaches in South Africa, Egypt and The Gambia to support young waste collectors to
move up the value chain to enable them to increase the income they make from recycling.
The Wastepreneur Challenge is taking place in Diepsloot a township north east of
Johannesburg with a population of more than 850,000. After a local advertising campaign
and screening process, 39 waste collectors applied and were interviewed and 20 waste
collectors have been selected to take part in this first cohort. The candidates come from a
wide variety of backgrounds, both female and male, old and young, some have been
working in waste for many years but have not received any financial or skills support. All of
them are keen to learn more about how to build their businesses.
One of the unique aspects of the training is the amazing team that WasteAid has brought
together to deliver the programme. The Wot-If? Trust, led by Gail Styger, has been working
with young people in Diepsloot for many years, running a business centre where
entrepreneurs can access training and business support as well as IT skills. WasteAid has
also brought in core trainers that have a lived experience of working in and building
successful businesses within the waste management industry. Harriet Matjila, one of the
lead trainers runs an all-female run Buy-Back centre in Johannesburg. Mandlenkosi Nkosi,
who is also leading a number of sessions, started out as a waste collector and now runs two
thriving plastics recycling businesses in South Africa. Ursula Lebuso will be working
alongside Harriet and Mandlenkosi – she is a financial advisor and holds an impressive
portfolio of trainings for high performing companies across South Africa. The modules
include a range of topics from getting to understand the world of waste and also on personal
and business finance.
Michelle Wilson, Director of Programmes at WasteAid says: “We are really excited to
continue our partnership with Huhtamaki in South Africa and are proud to be able to support
and track the progress of these motivated Wastepreneurs. Through this course we want to
show there is pride in working on the waste value chain. Through the course, we see a real
opportunity for young and old to build viable livelihoods through recycling.”
“We at Huhtamaki believe that waste is very valuable secondary material. To make this a
reality, incentivization, innovation, partnerships and changes in consumer behaviour all play
a role. It is very important to support and encourage young Wastepreneurs by showing them
the limitless possibilities that the circular economy can offer. In our view, collaboration can
make a real difference and that’s why we are delighted with our partnership with WasteAid.”
says Shane Van der Nest, General Manager at Huhtamaki South Africa Fibre Foodservice
operation.
The training started on 30 th March 2023 and will complete on 22 nd June 2023, followed by a
month of tailored business mentorship. The challenge will culminate in a pitching event
where the Wastepreneurs can pitch for seed funding to develop their business idea.
About WasteAid:
WasteAid is a leading international development organisation on a mission to tackle
the global waste crisis. 2 billion people do not have their waste collected and 3 billion
lack a decent disposal site, leading to the spread of disease and polluting the air,
land, rivers and oceans.
WasteAid works with governments and communities in low- and middle-income
countries to address the root causes of climate change and marine plastic pollution.
WasteAid shares waste management knowledge and skills; trains people to become
self-employed recycling entrepreneurs; and influences decision-makers and the
donor community to increase investment in waste management.
About Huhtamaki
Huhtamaki is a leading global provider of sustainable packaging solutions for
consumers around the world, enabling wellbeing and convenience. Our innovative
products protect on-the-go and on-the-shelf food and beverages, ensuring hygiene
and safety, and help prevent food waste. We embed sustainability in everything we
do. We are committed to achieving carbon neutral production and designing all our
products to be recyclable, compostable or reusable by 2030.