Women make a mark in recycling

SOUTH African women continue to make their mark – this time in the field of waste management and recycling.

Petco, specialising in the recycling of polyethylene terephthalate plastic (PET), was established in 2004 to self-regulate the industry and fund recycling efforts.

Chief executive Cheri Scholtz aims to contribute to the South African economy by developing a new sector economy that ensures plastic never goes to waste.

The challenge for Petco was linking the formal and informal PET plastic recycling economies through mentorship and enterprise development, she said.

“According to a poverty trends report released by Statistics SA last year, female-headed households remain significantly poorer than their male counterparts.

“We believe PET waste collection and recycling can provide job creation and income-earning opportunities for women trapped in the cycle of poverty,” added Scholtz.

PET is one of the few materials that are considered safe when recycled into its original form such as being transformed into polyester fibre for clothing and textiles or as a food-grade plastic bottle.

Approximately 2.15 billion plastic bottles – weighing in at 93 235 tons – were recycled last year.

It resulted in 578 000m² of landfill being saved and created 64 000 income generating opportunities.

Scholtz said many women were already doing outstanding work such as the Masupatsela Women’s Co-operative, operating in Tembisa since 2011.

Co-founder of the co-operative, Salphy Nkoana, and her all-female team have been alleviating poverty in their community.

Thy have also created awareness in over 600 households, schools and shopping complexes.

“In the Eastern Cape, the Uitenhage Recycling Mula Swop Shop Project gives children the opportunity to exchange recyclable items for food, toiletries, stationery, clothing or toys once a week,” said Scholtz.