Motivated by a strong desire to clean up the environment, while also fighting unemployment, hunger and the growing threat of drugs in her community, Johanna Leshabane launched the Bophelo Recycling project back in 2007.

While the project started out relatively small, the power of partnerships has seen it grow to the point where it now employs two full-time staff members and three freelancers who have raised collection volumes to over 40 tonnes per year.

On Friday the business received a further boost when national industry body PET Recycling Company (PETCO) and PETCO member and polymer producer Safripol handed over supporting infrastructure worth R500,000 to further Leshabane’s vision.

The joint contribution included, among other things, a shipping container, electricity supply, trailer, roofing structure, trolleys, signage, fencing and branding, as well as training and mentoringsupport.

“But that is just the tip of the iceberg,” entrepreneur Leshabane said.

“I see a future in which, instead of transporting our collected waste to Gauteng, recycling plants will rise throughout Mpumalanga, offering employment to youngsters who have ideas and visions the older generation may not have thought of.”

The recycling idea first came to Leshabane on visits to Johannesburg and Pretoria, where people were meaningfully employed keeping the streets clean.

“Ermelo, by comparison, was a disgrace, but what to do? I was employed full time and had neither the time nor the means to tackle the problem.”

Nevertheless, she began the groundwork and approached the local municipality to identify land on which her project could be born. That partnership has continued to bear fruit, with both parties working together to educate the next generation through recycling awareness in schools.

Next came a blessing in disguise when Leshabane’s employers asked her to acceptrelocation or take a retrenchment package.

“I opted for the package. Something inside me told me that the lump sum I would receive would open recycling doors to me. I could create a better future for myself and the environment as well as creating jobs in my community.”

But it was when the partnership with PETCO was forged in 2017 that Leshabane enjoyed her first real ‘wow’ moment. She also approached local businessman, Gerhard Pieterse,who saw the opportunity to support his community by allowing her to trade on one of his business properties rent-free.

“At last, I was going somewhere. They were going to help me create jobs and put food on the table,” said Leshabane.

Another partnership was unveiled on Friday morning when a joint initiative aimed at unlocking meaningful strategies to address waste reduction was launched.

PETCO collections and training project manager Belinda Booker said partnerships between government, business and industry were key to unlocking meaningful strategies to address waste reduction in South Africa.

“We have begun partnering with government departments, conducting training and workshops for officials as well as SMMEs and co-operatives.

“We also sponsor projects like Bophelowith equipment to grow and sustain their businesses, thereby stimulating job creation, alleviating poverty, and promoting a cleaner environment and development in our country.

“By growing these SMMEs we increase the quality and quantity of their PET collections which assists PETCO in achieving our recycling targets.”

Booker said it was great to see members like Safripol taking their extending producer responsibility seriously.

“There is a great need to support small business models, especially in rural areas where waste management is not well serviced or a priority.”

Safripol’s technology and innovation executive Gert Claasen said: “This is our first direct support towards an operation like this. Safripol is strongly committed to our environment and we believe that it is very important for us to use all avenues to address the prevention of plastic pollutionin our beautiful country.

“We believe that Friday’s initiative is the beginning of a journey for us and other key stakeholders. With the help of PETCO, we will develop the path forward as and when it requires expertise and collaboration.”