Recycling co-op given funding and equipment
R1.3m boost to help create jobs and curb pollution
KOMANI business Kip Iwaste recycling cooperative has received R1.3-million funding with the additional donation of equipment including a baler, a four-ton truck with an attached crane and a scale from the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform.
The cooperative, which was formed by five community members from Mlungisi in 2012, collects and recycles paper, cardboard, glass, plastic bottles and plastic.
Cooperative chairman Nontobeko Klass said the baler would be used to compress waste material, the crane to lift heavy materials and the scale to weigh the amount of waste collected.
“We were also given protective clothing, wheelie bins and sewing machines. We use the sewing machines to make wonderbags.”
A wonderbag is a stand-alone, non-electric insulated bag made of recycled polystyrene balls designed to reduce the amount of energy required in cooking food.
“We also make patio chairs from recycled tyres to beautify garden landscapes. The department also committed to organising a facilitator to train our workers to be able to create a variety of trendy and vibrant patio chair designs.”
Klass said the equipment would be used to help the venture to see if it could boost job creation in the future.
“At present we are 10 in the cooperative with six workers. We are happy to receive the equipment as it will create employment and reduce the impact of waste on the area.
“In August we went to a waste management conference in Johannesburg which Enoch Mgijima executive mayor Lindiwe Gunuza Nkwentsha also attended. At the conference, local municipalities were encouraged to work closely with recycling cooperatives to reduce pollution in areas.”
Klass thanked the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform’s district manager Ndiliswa Maswana, project manager Miranda Qhana and provincial MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane.