• Huhtamaki Waste Entrepreneurial Challenge Fund commenced in the township of Diepsloot on 30 March 2023.
• The Challenge fund is designed to support up to 50 informal waste collectors over 2 years to develop their skills and capacity in recycling.
• It will involve a tailored 12-week holistic training course which will culminate in an opportunity for candidates to pitch for seed funding to grow their business.

Following on from Huhtamaki’s initial investment in the Circular Economy Network, a leading global sustainable packaging producer is partnering with WasteAid once again to provide investment in South Africa to support young people who are trying to start up in the waste management industry. Over 90% of recycled waste collected in South Africa is carried out by the informal sector. Many of these collectors are low-income earners, living on less than 50 Rand a day (GBP £2.50). WasteAid, a UK based International NGO, has been pioneering approaches in South Africa, Egypt and The Gambia to support young waste collectors to move up the value chain to enable them to increase the income they make from recycling.

The Wastepreneur Challenge is taking place in Diepsloot a township north east of Johannesburg with a population of more than 850,000. After a local advertising campaign and screening process, 39 waste collectors applied and were interviewed and 20 waste collectors have been selected to take part in this first cohort. The candidates come from a wide variety of backgrounds, both female and male, old and young, some have been working in waste for many years but have not received any financial or skills support. All of them are keen to learn more about how to build their businesses.

One of the unique aspects of the training is the amazing team that WasteAid has brought together to deliver the programme. The Wot-If? Trust, led by Gail Styger, has been working with young people in Diepsloot for many years, running a business centre where entrepreneurs can access training and business support as well as IT skills. WasteAid has also brought in core trainers that have a lived experience of working in and building successful businesses within the waste management industry. Harriet Matjila, one of the lead trainers runs an all-female run Buy-Back centre in Johannesburg. Mandlenkosi Nkosi, who is also leading a number of sessions, started out as a waste collector and now runs two thriving plastics recycling businesses in South Africa. Ursula Lebuso will be working alongside Harriet and Mandlenkosi – she is a financial advisor and holds an impressive portfolio of trainings for high performing companies across South Africa. The modules include a range of topics from getting to understand the world of waste and also on personal and business finance.

Michelle Wilson, Director of Programmes at WasteAid says: “We are really excited to continue our partnership with Huhtamaki in South Africa and are proud to be able to support and track the progress of these motivated Wastepreneurs. Through this course we want to show there is pride in working on the waste value chain. Through the course, we see a real opportunity for young and old to build viable livelihoods through recycling.”

“We at Huhtamaki believe that waste is very valuable secondary material. To make this a reality, incentivization, innovation, partnerships and changes in consumer behaviour all play a role. It is very important to support and encourage young Wastepreneurs by showing them the limitless possibilities that the circular economy can offer. In our view, collaboration can make a real difference and that’s why we are delighted with our partnership with WasteAid.” says Shane Van der Nest, General Manager at Huhtamaki South Africa Fibre Foodservice operation.

The training started on 30^th March 2023 and will complete on 22^nd June 2023, followed by a month of tailored business mentorship. The challenge will culminate in a pitching event where the Wastepreneurs can pitch for seed funding to develop their business idea.

We’re very excited to let you know that WasteAid has been selected to participate in the Big Give’s Green Match Funding campaign. We will be raising money to support our work improving livelihoods and the environment in Cameroon. Donations to this project will be matched for 7 days from 20^th to 27^th April 2023, which coincides with Earth Day on 22nd April.

One donation, twice the impact.

Here’s what your donation could help us achieve:

£8 doubled could provide the tools to turn woody waste into sustainable cooking fuel

£13 doubled could help promote our challenge funds that provide business incubation support to local entrepreneurs

£25 doubled could provide 10 bulk bags to enable waste collectors to collect more plastic waste and prevent it from going to landfill

£50 doubled could secure training for informal waste-collectors to increase the value of waste collected to increase the value of waste that is collected and improve health and safety practices

£125 doubled could provide a set of digital scales to ensure transparency and fair payment for waste collectors

£250 doubled could provide two plastic collection points in a community to reduce plastic in the environment

What happens during the Big Green Give?

Donations made to our project via theBigGive.org.uk will be matched during the campaign. If you would like to support our work this year, we highly recommend doing so during the Big Green Give matching campaign, when your donation will be doubled and make even more of a difference to us. Help us to support more like Mama Pasto.

Read Mama Pasto's story

What do I need to do? 

1. Add a calendar reminder to your diary for 20^th-27^th April including this link https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a056900002PokXoAAJ
2. Have your 3D secure card details ready when you make your donation.
3. Finally, please pass on this message to anyone you think might be interested in supporting us and having their donation doubled.

Can my organisation get involved?

Absolutely! The more the merrier.

• Enable local people to segregate plastic waste for recycling by funding the construction and installation of 6 eco-collection points in their community.
• Or, fund a community-wide clean up events to remove plastic waste from drains and rivers to prevent stagnant water from building which creates public and environmental health issues.

This thought piece is written by WasteAid’s Circular Economy and Waste Management Lead, Rebecca Colley-Jones, following a recent visit to one of WasteAid’s project locations in Douala, Cameroon.

Having joined WasteAid at the beginning of November 2022, I had the privilege of embarking on my first field visit to Douala, Cameroon two weeks later with our CEO Ceris Turner-Bailes. WasteAid has had links to Cameroon for a number of years and started formally delivering programmes in January 2020, funded initially through the UK AID Match programme.

The main focus of my visit, aside from familiarising myself with WasteAid’s work in Douala, was to follow up on our initiative to build and support a Plastics Recovery Facility (PRF) in Douala 3. Land for the PRF had been allocated by the municipality to build the facility, as the Mayor and his team were keen to see such a facility located within their district, and were excited by the potential of the PRF to assist in providing a solution to the area’s plastics pollution challenge. The aim of the PRF is to adopt a circular economy approach recapturing plastic materials, adding value to them and ultimately closing the loop on plastics.

WasteAid’s partnership with leading global private markets firm, Partners Group, began at an integral time for this programme. Funding from the Partners Group employee foundation, PG Impact, meant that we could scale the impact and increase livelihood opportunities for more young people, with positive outcomes for the wider community and environment. Cameroon has a population of 27 million with over 55% living in poverty[1], so it was significant that we are able to reach more people through this partnership.

When arriving at the site, it was great to see that the construction work was well underway, with the office block, toilets and shower facilities as well as the main sorting area pretty much completed. The borehole had been drilled and installed and the tower for the water holding tank had been constructed.

In order to ensure that the infrastructure we provide is right and to make the site as self-contained as possible, we decided to look at the possibilities for rainwater harvesting to maximise water use and efficiency. Electricity can be sporadic so to tackle this challenge we decided to look at the possibility of installing solar panels, and also look at two types of bailers to be manufactured locally – one electric and one manual – and I am working with our Cameroon project team to source the right equipment.

In terms of activities on the site, we went out to interview potential users to see what they would need in order to add value. We will be catching up with some of these people and sharing their stories in the coming weeks, currently most collectors are working either out of their homes or at the side of the street. The PRF will enable collectors to increase efficiency and add value to the collected plastics. With more collectors on board thanks to Partners Group, we will be seeing a higher volume of plastic collected and diverted from drains, rivers and the ocean.

To ensure sustainability, WasteAid works within the existing value chain, finding ways of further supporting those working within it. To understand how best the PRF could integrate into the current local value chain, it was decided to assess the market. Visits were made to a number of off takers of plastics, NAME, SC2R and RedPlast. Following our visits, it was concluded that the best use of the site was for it to operate as a bulking and cleaning facility, users will be able to sort, clean and store quality plastic. By washing and baling plastic bottles, the collectors can access better markets, obtain a better price (almost double) when selling to off takers. This has the potential to make a huge difference to their livelihoods, improve the quality of the collected materials and prevent pollution by closing the loop on plastics. The PRF will support a further 45 people in the community of Bilongué 2 in Douala.

We have now appointed a PRF supervisor, and are sourcing the various pieces of equipment needed to complete the infrastructure at the facility. Recruiting of the collectors who will use this facility is currently underway. Many of the potential users of the PRF are actually graduates of WasteAid’s UK AID Match programme who now have small waste collection businesses and networks of collectors.

It was fantastic to see the enthusiasm for WasteAid’s activities in Cameroon, and get feedback on how WasteAid’s initiatives are making a real difference to waste collectors’ lives and helping build a circular solution for Doula’s plastics.

[1] https://www.wfp.org/countries/cameroon

WasteAid’s Waste to Use Challenge was part of an initiative funded by the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) to fast-track circular economy initiatives in The Gambia. The Gambia is Africa’s smallest mainland country and has very limited waste management capacity. Open dumping and burning of waste leads to poor health, economic losses and climate emissions, and has been recognised at both local and national levels as a priority for sustainable development.

Positively, The Gambia is one of the few countries committed to meeting the Paris Agreement to keep global warming below 1.5C. Alongside reducing climate emissions, the Ministry of Environment is focused on protecting the country’s natural resources and building resilience to climate shocks such as drought and floods. Implementing circular waste and recycling initiatives such as the Waste to Use Challenge can play a significant role in preventing climate emissions, building climate resilience, and creating much-needed sustainable livelihood opportunities.

On 20^th December, around 70 members of the Circular Economy Network gathered at the Sunset Beach Hotel, in Kotu to hear the pitches of the three finalists all active in the circular economy. All three initiatives were selected through a competitive process and prior to the pitch had been through a business incubation process, to help them hone their business plans and ideas. The training was complimented by one-to-one mentoring by business specialists over months leading up to the event. A huge thanks to the trainers and mentors that supported them throughout: Muhammed Danso from Startup Incubator Gambia, Mustapha J. from J Concepts, Youma Wally Ndong from GamPlus Clothing, Maurice Phillips from Sandele Foundation and Rory Dickens from Sustainable Design Studio.

Sulayman Darboe of Green Waste Initiative (GWI) was the first to present their business idea ‘Rinkoo’, a briquet made out of organic materials, an alternative to charcoal which burns for longer. GWI have established buyers at the community level as well as a product range and will be looking to expand their production capacity. Next up was African Swag Collection, led by Sainabou Gaye, who have produced a fashion range that reuses bubble wrap otherwise destined for landfill. They collect bubble wrap from trading outlets that are importing electrical equipment (packed in bubble wrap) and transform it into shower caps and aprons for use in the hair dressing and culinary trade as well as handbags and raincoats.

Finally, Plastics Recycling Gambia, led by Alieu Sowe, presented their core business. They collect up to 30 tonnes of hard plastic a month from 21 collection points, providing income for up to 21 waste collectors, and then distribute across the Greater Banjul Area. They sort, wash and grind down into plastic pellets to then sell to local plastic manufacturers.

Michelle Wilson, Director of Programmes at WasteAid, said: “It was exciting to see the quality of ideas and level of the entrants which confirms to us that grass roots organisations are key to the development of a vibrant circular economy in The Gambia. It is impossible for local government to tackle the waste and environmental crisis on their own. The ambition and drive of all our entrants, particularly given their age, the majority are under 30, is amazing to see. WasteAid will continue to support the sector through the Circular Economy Network and looks forward to see these companies flourish”

The judges unanimously decided to award the investment to Plastic Recycling Gambia due to the strength of the business case presented, the environmental impact of the organisation in saving so much plastic from waterways and dump sites, and finally the income generating potential for informal waste collectors who are part of the collection network.

Waste to Use Challenge winner, Alieu Sowe, said: “Winning this competition has boosted mine and my team’s motivation, and will help us to grow Plastics Recycling Company. Reaching 50 tonnes regrinds monthly is sufficient for a financially stable and sustainable company. Above this turnover a modest profit can be made that will be reinvested to ensure organic growth of the company, and that growth includes expanding to reach other regions.”

Anna Willetts, President of CIWM said: “We are proud to see the positive difference that CIWM funding is making to these sustainable circular initiatives in The Gambia.  As part of a delegation visiting next month, I am looking forward to seeing for myself each of the projects and how local entrepreneurs, the finalists and, of course, the winner continue to develop and contribute to CIWM’s ambition of a world beyond waste.”

WasteAid will continue to work with the runners up to hone their presented business plans. Representatives were present from the National Environment Agency as well as Local Councils and a panel made from business and government sector.

Written by Ceris Turner-Bailes, Chief Executive WasteAid.

In November, I had the privilege of travelling to Douala, Cameroon to follow up on WasteAid’s projects there. I was delighted to travel with our new Circular Economy and Waste Management Lead, Rebecca Colley Jones – this was Rebecca’s first visit in support of our projects. As many will know, WasteAid has had links to Cameroon for a number of years and started formally delivering programmes in January 2020 funded initially through the UKAID Match programme. Biffa staff were instrumental in WasteAid achieving the level of funding required so that this amount could be ‘matched’ by the UK government. They contributed a total of £36,000. This was a fantastic effort and Biffa’s fundraising skills resulted in a huge step forward for community collection and recycling activities in Douala. Despite the pandemic resulting in this project being suspended for almost a year, the initiative was finalised in August 2022 with some fabulous results. Over the almost 24 months of active programming, 47.8 metric tonnes of mixed plastics were collected for recycling and transformed into 2537 square metres of paving tiles. At the same time 165 programme participants were trained on life skills and recycling techniques, with over half of those now in employment. This is something of which all of us at WasteAid and Biffa can be proud.

The city of Douala still faces significant challenges in managing its waste, with plastics and organics waste streams dominating. The situation depicted in images of drains and rivers filled with plastic that many of you know well has not entirely changed and the waters of the Douala Estuary still remain highly polluted. However, it was heartening to meet with many of the stakeholders within Douala’s circular economy and to understand that real efforts are being made there to tackle the waste problem. WasteAid’s presence in Cameroon and its initiatives have been welcomed. To ensure sustainability, we want to work within the existing value chain, finding ways of further supporting those working within it. To that end part of the visit was also to follow up on our initiative to build and support a Plastics Recovery Facility (PRF) in Douala III. Crucially, we have been allocated land by the local authority on which to build and both the Mayor and his staff have been extremely keen to support our work.

Following the hugely successful gala event held by Biffa in May 2022, a proportion of the funds raised went towards supporting this PRF project, particularly contributing £15,000 to the construction of the centre itself. I was delighted to be able see great progress during my visit. The centre is now about 70% completed with walls and a roof and our focus is now the purchase of equipment and recruiting the collectors who will use this facility. We need to ensure that both the infrastructure and the system we use are fit for purpose. I am delighted that some of those likely to work in the PRF are actually graduates of WasteAid’s UKAID Match programme who now have small waste collection businesses and networks of collectors. We will be catching up with some of these people and sharing their stories in the coming weeks.

There is still a lot of work to do to ensure that the infrastructure we provide is right and Rebecca is now working with our Cameroon project team to source the right equipment. By washing and baling plastic bottles, the collectors can almost double the price when selling to off takers and this has the potential to make a huge difference to their livelihoods. The PRF will also allow the collectors to process more plastic, at the moment most collectors are simply working by hand at the side of the street. WasteAid will support the Douala plastics value chain and 45 collectors through this sustainable PRF that has simple washing and baling facilities. Whilst this may seem very simple, the increase in income will help the waste collectors significantly improve their livelihoods and will further prevent plastic pollution in the communities of Douala.

WasteAid is pleased to announce they have been successful in securing funding from Norway’s largest private environmental fund, The Norwegian Retailers’ Environment Fund, which supports international projects to reduce plastic pollution.

This two year project will extend WasteAid’s current work in The Gambia, bringing about positive environmental outcomes by empowering vulnerable communities to reduce and recycle plastic waste through a local recycling facility, to scale and offer employment and improved livelihoods to youth in the waste sector. Plans to start implementing this project will begin in the coming weeks…

… more updates to come as the project develops!