At the recent #ISWA2024, one of our directors, Andy Conder hosted a panel discussion with Alison Evans (City of Cape Town), Bhavesh Patel (PRO Alliance), Anthea Fransman (Recycle 1st – a TRA director) and @MikelKumalo (Back To Work Programme – a TRA director) focusing on how to incorporate #SMME service providers into waste management operations.

SMMEs play a vital role in supporting waste management activities nationally, some in the formal and some in the informal economy. They are described as ‘valuable agents of sustainable social and economic growth, SMMEs continue to create essential employment opportunities’ (Sabinet) and ‘the vehicle for creating 90% of jobs by 2030 by the South African government as stated in the National Development Plan’ (Wits Uni).

_{Our founder, Andy Conder, has been busy! A director of The Recyclers Association NPC and a committee member at #ISWA2024, he chaired a panel discussion on sustainable ways to include SMMEs in waste management.}

Currently it is the large, mostly national waste management companies who are awarded municipal tenders for recycling and other waste management services. This approach does not allow the numerous SMMEs and individuals that operate in the field of waste management to offer services in geographic areas where they have been active for many years.

The panel discussion highlighted ways to incorporate SMMEs to ensure sustainability in the sector. They are one of several stakeholders who can ensure streets are clean and waste is looked after responsibly and sustainably, and look forward working with other stakeholders for the good of the country and the planet.

_{Alison Evans (City of Cape Town) and Bhavesh Patel (PRO Alliance)}

_{Anthea Fransman (Recycle 1st – a TRA director) and @MikelKumalo (Back To Work Programme – a TRA director)}