Currently a source of untapped potential, South Africa’s “green economy” is starting to reveal real opportunity within its supply chain. Innovative partnerships are proving key in terms of tapping into this potential however – as ABI has discovered through its Schools Recycling Programme (SRP). Already five years in the making, the programme is creating a cycle of environmental responsibility in communities that need it most thanks to the commitment of its young ARRs: ABI Recycling Representatives. With the youth of today being the custodians of tomorrow, many of these young entrepreneurs are using the SRP as a springboard to future careers in the space whilst encouraging South Africa’s next generation to value and care for our environment.

Started five years ago, ABI’s Schools Recycling Programme raises awareness about the importance of waste management and recycling amongst learners in regions where the company has presence. Created as a competition, participating schools are challenged to keep their surrounding environment clean through waste collection and recycling. Education is a key part of enabling this process, with ARRs playing a crucial role in the programme – acting as intermediaries between the schools and ABI.

“At the start of each year participating schools commit to collecting a minimum of 1 000 kg of PET per month,” explains Gaopaleloe Mothoagae, ABI’s Sustainable Development Manager. “They then become eligible to win prizes and recognition for their efforts at our annual Schools Recycling Awards. Volumes are key however – which is where the ARRs come in.

They are tasked with mobilising collection of recyclable material at the schools, encouraging performance, monitoring and evaluation, as well as creating healthy competition between schools in the regions.”

Community involvement

Community involvement is a critical part of the process, as former ARR and one of ABI’s youth recycling heroes Dimpho Nare explains. “As an ARR, it’s your responsibility to transform the teachers and learners at your school into recycling advocates. They need to get behind the message – and take it home and into the community. This means you have to show them the value of what they’re doing, and that every bottle they recycle counts.”

Born in Protea Glen, Nare lives in a single income household. With her sights set on completing her advertising management diploma, she was left with no choice but to drop out of school when her mother was laid off at work. She started looking for a job so that she could help her family and save to go back to school. Several applications later, she came across ABI’s SRP programme and was interviewed and accepted – putting her life and future on an exciting new course.

“I started my ARR journey in 2013. Besides the monthly stipend that I received, I won the ‘best ARR’ award which provided me with a R12 000 bursary towards my education,” says Nare. Thanks to her leadership, some of schools that she was responsible for in Lenasia, Kagiso, Diepkloof and Ennerdale were among the top three finalists in the SRP Awards for a number of consecutive years: an achievement that she is still very proud of. Nare’s efforts and commitment did not go unnoticed – and she was promoted to be an ABI Merchandise Order Taker (MOT) in 2014.  Today she is an account manager at ABI and looks after some of the country’s most loved fast-food chains.

Education and awareness

“Since its inception, the ABI Schools Recycling Programme has seen remarkable developments in the waste disposal space,” notes Mothoagae. “Many of these can be attributed to the commitment of our ARRs and the over 350 000 learners who have made this programme what it is today. By partnering with the ARRs to drive education and awareness at the schools they’re responsible for, we’ve been able to assist them with sustainable employment, helping them earn additional income through recycling – and giving them a hand-up in terms of the job and management experience they receive. We look forward to seeing them use this opportunity to grow from strength to strength.”

With partnerships between corporate South Africa and young entrepreneurs having a critical role to play in shaping the country and developing the leaders of tomorrow, programmes like ABI’s SRP are demonstrating the value of starting at grassroots level. “As a young South African, it’s great to see how companies like ABI are investing in the youth in our communities – starting at our schools,” says Nare. “We each have a role to play when it comes to recycling and taking responsibility for our environment. Who would have thought that mine would open the door to such a new and exciting career path?”