Solid Waste Network Social Enterprise Project

The Solid Waste Network (SWN) project has over 350 informal waste pickers (mostly from Khayelitsha settlement) gain access to markets, creating an interface between communities and industry. This social enterprise model sees the informal waste pickers get support from the collection and management team. Groups work in teams of 3 to 10 members. 40-60 tonnes of solid waste is removed from informal settlements, per month. The tonnage capacity of groups determines their monthly income, which ranges from R800 – R2 000 per month per individual. 5 full time staff are employed at the sorting depot in Philippi. The project creates capacity for such work in poor communities. Women have been the focus of the programme and have been active in the community around community savings before commencement of SWN activity. In areas where a quantity of waste is consistently sorted per month, sorting points are conveniently located for the truck to pick up waste. The network meets monthly to discuss learning about the recycling industry as well as policy developments. The SWN have a small budget which places limitations on the project’s capacity.

The SWN has built relationships with various industries through the project, including paper, plastic, and glass companies. It is increasingly seen as a stakeholder in the industry, and has national working relationships with The Glass Recycling Company (TGRC) and the Plastic Federation (PETCO). It has an impact on upliftment of communities in that the majority of the SWN volunteer for various community initiatives including food security for vulnerable people and orphans; gender based violence, and HIV/AIDS. Policy will only change when the SWN model goes to scale. It is planned that it will be scaled up in cities in Gauteng, Eastern Cape, and Kwa-Zulu Natal. National learning exchanges are happening to ensure this.