Plastics SA has launched the world’s first Self-Employed Material Recycler Training Programme, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering South Africa's waste pickers. This innovative programme equips informal waste reclaimers with essential skills to safely and efficiently manage recycling efforts while improving their business acumen.

Last year, approximately 50,000 South Africans earned an informal income as waste pickers by collecting used plastics for recycling. This training programme offers these individuals a pathway to professionalisation, enabling them to thrive in a circular economy.

A Pioneering Training Initiative

The training, accredited at NQF Level 1, awards participants 26 credits and spans five days over three weeks. For the pilot programme, 20 learners in Johannesburg and 25 learners in KwaZulu-Natal were selected and fully sponsored to attend.

The programme is supported financially by key industry partners, including ExxonMobil, Polyco, Petco, and Plastics SA, and aims to train 2,000 informal waste sector workers through a "train the trainer" model. Following the South African pilot, the initiative is expected to expand globally.

Industry Collaboration

The launch event featured prominent stakeholders, including:

• Bala Nengwhela, Specialist: Waste Management, SALGA
• Belinda Booker, Enterprise Development Handover Support, Petco
• Andiswa Siyengo, Control Environmental Officer, DFFE
• Kirtida Bhana, Head of Plastics SA’s Academy for Learning & Development

Empowering Waste Pickers

Kirtida Bhana highlighted the programme’s holistic approach:

Driving Sustainability

Rik Poppe, Senior Sustainability Advisor at ExxonMobil, emphasised the initiative’s potential:

A Global Vision

This innovative programme not only uplifts South Africa’s informal waste sector but also establishes a framework for global replication. By fostering collaboration and equipping waste reclaimers with vital skills, Plastics SA’s training initiative is setting the stage for a more inclusive and sustainable recycling economy.

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Company Name: Plastics SAWebsite: https://www.plasticsinfo.co.za

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