From Waste to Wealth: Empowering the Newest Wastepreneurs in Cosmo City

At WasteAid, there is nothing more rewarding than witnessing a newly trained Wastepreneur take their first steps into business. Supporting individuals as they build their own sustainable livelihoods is at the heart of everything we do. 

Having previously seen great results with the community in Diepsloot, we are now applying those lessons and successes to our ongoing work in Cosmo City. It’s an exciting chapter as we continue to support local residents in building a cleaner, more resilient future. 

Cosmo City was originally established to showcase integrated living in a post-apartheid era, this area was a pioneer for shared resources and diverse communities. However, success has brought its own set of challenges. 

Driven by a population nearing 100,000, the area is experiencing a “waste squeeze.” Rapid urbanisation and the rise of informal backyard subletting have left municipal collection services struggling to keep up. This gap in service has led to a surge in illegal dumping, particularly in the Itsoseng and Kya Sands corridors. 

For the more economically marginalised living at the heart of this growth, waste management is no longer just a logistical hurdle—it is a critical environmental and social emergency. 

Earlier this month Wasteaid inducted 20 new Wastepreneurs to help tackle the waste problem Cosmo City has been facing, whilst at the same time start their own waste business.    

So far, our 20 participants have tackled two intensive modules focused on waste streams and environmental impact. The curriculum is designed to transform informal collection into a professional, safe, and sustainable career. 

What they’ve learned: 

• The Landfill Reality: Understanding the hazards of traditional sites and the science of food waste. 

• Climate Connections: How methane emissions from waste contribute to global warming. 

• Best Practices: The vital importance of separation at source and the dangers of burning waste. 

What’s next? Knowledge is just the beginning. Upon completion, the group will move into intensive mentorship. Here, they will gain the tools to conduct community awareness campaigns and the opportunity to pitch for resources to turn their waste-collection visions into viable, long-term businesses. 

This project would not have been possible without the support of our generous donors: EA Foundation and HCD Memorial Fund. Thank you once again for making this happen; we look forward to sharing more exciting updates with you soon.