Clearer Conscience is excited to have been chosen to participate in a pilot project to address challenges faced in waste management in Cape Town.

The Recyclers Association NPC (TRA) was formed in 2024 to explore ways to integrate the significant number of SMMEs involved in waste management into the City of Cape Town’s plans for future roll out of services. It is a resource mobilisation organisation dedicated to transforming the waste economy into an inclusive, sustainable, and equitable sector. Its Circular Economy Manifesto outlines a forward-thinking vision based on six core principles: Sustainability, Inclusivity, Innovation, Community Empowerment, Collaboration, and Transparency.

The clearer conscience team on Thursdays’ collection day at Southfield.

The first project consists of two phases. In phase 1, four service providers collect from 1,000 households in the Southfield area in October & November 2024. All recyclable materials are taken to an SMME facility in Retreat. In phase 2 (December 2024 & January 2025), the number of collection points doubles to 2,000, and more service providers are added.

phase 1 and 2 of the Recyclers association project

To keep the entry level requirements accessible, TRA put out a call for SMMEs who operate 1 – 1.5 ton vehicles. Whilst TRA was formed to specifically focus on SMMEs, the project also has provision for ways to interact with waste pickers who currently operate in the area. Waste pickers and SMMEs are both ‘service providers’ in the waste management eco system, and it is important they are both recognised as important means of service delivery, enabling streets and neighbourhoods to be kept litter-free, clean, and sustainable, with specific focus on discarded material that can be recycled

Another groundbreaking feature of the project is the inclusion of the Bin It To Win It platform. Residents scan a QR code which opens their device camera, they take a snap of the item they want to dispose of, and they are entered into a draw to win a monthly prize of R1,000. The Bin It To Win It platform is fun as well as educational, and reduces the need for repeatedly delivering pamphlets showing what to recycle.

This pilot project is fully funded by the PRO Alliance, which represents manufacturers of recyclable material, and is given general oversight by the Economic Development Partnership, in order to streamline suggestions to be made to the City of Cape Town in future.

Please check the TRA website for details for details of the project. (https://therecyclersassociation.org/southfieldsoctober2024/)

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