28 February 2022
A second Packa-Ching mobile buy-back centre, co-sponsored by Shoprite, has launched in Cape Town, following the success of the programme in communities such as Langa, Phillipi and Mitchells Plain.
Launched in Happy Valley, Blackheath, the new Packa-Ching unit will buy recyclable packaging material (plastic, glass, cans and paper) from the surrounding communities, including Delft, and Stellenbosch. The recyclable material is weighed and users are paid for the value thereof via a cashless eWallet system in real time.
With a unique, entrepreneur-focused approach, each Packa-Ching recycling unit is owner-operated and the latest entrepreneur to be empowered through this programme is Clement Adams from Johencar Recycling.
Clement Adams (Johencar Recycling), Wendy van Rensburg (Shoprite Sustainability Manager) and Patricia Pillay (CEO of Polyco).
Adams and his father started collecting waste and recycling it as a side hustle, but the demand soon grew so Johencar Recycling was established in 2011.
“Before I was just a waste collector, but this unit has enabled me to buy waste and open up opportunities. Not only has it created an additional five jobs, it generates income for community members for recycling and the cashless system makes it so much easier, because it takes away the risk of carrying cash.”
- Clement Adams from Johencar Recycling
This innovative community recycling collection initiative significantly reduces waste volumes and facilitates a circular economy through recycling, while creating jobs and an income earning opportunity for the people who bring their recyclable materials to Packa-Ching. Packa-Ching services more than 79 communities and schools across South Africa and has diverted more than 5 million kilograms of waste from landfill, giving more than R4 million back to these communities.
Community members bringing their recycling to be weighed.
“We’ve seen the positive impact of this programme on various local communities – both for the employees and those generating an income from recyclables. Not only does it promote removing waste from our communities and recycling it, but it also makes recycling more accessible.”
- Sanjeev Raghubir, the Shoprite Group’s Sustainability Manager
Shoprite supports eight other Packa-Ching buy back centres across South Africa. These are located in and around the Mall of Thembisa, Buffalo City, Thabazimbi, Katlehong, Newcastle, Gqeberha, and Cape Town (the unit moves between Bonteheuwel, Langa, Mitchells Plain, Gugulethu, Joe Slovo, Lavender Hill and Phillipi).