
Jobs in pipeline as community launches new recycling project
METAL CANS, plastic bottles and cardboard boxes are just some of the items interested community members of Buffalo Flats came armed with at the launch of the Packa-Ching Mobile Buyback Centre, at Khanya Youth Development Centre.
The recycling unit aims to involve low-income communities in the project to create job opportunities for them. This project is a first for the province.
DNF Waste and Environmental Services has been selected to run the centre. The day also marked the company’s 11th year in business.
“An appointed entrepreneur must employ five new individuals in the Packa-Ching business, increasing the job- creation opportunities in the South African recycling industry. We are pleased to bring this exciting recycling and income-generating solution to our local communities in East London,” said DNF managing director Deidre Nxumalo-Freeman.

Polyco Packa-Ching project co-ordinator Brooke Kühne said some of their previous initiatives had been adjusted to suit the unique conditions in SA.
“BCM has been earmarked as a hotspot for waste. One of our strategies at Polyco is waste management and this is easier with DNF Waste & Environmental Services on board,” Kühne said.
Kühne added that the project was in support of the recent launch of the Good Green Deeds Campaign by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Packa-Ching previously launched in Langa, Cape Town and Ivory Park in Johannesburg, diverting more than 326 tons of waste from landfills.
The communities have earned in total over R365,000 in exchange for their recyclables.
Material for recycling include plastic, metal cans, paper and glass, which are then weighed and exchanged for money.
The money earned is paid in real time time to eVoucher.Mobi – a cashless wallet payment system.
The Shoprite Group said the money paid in could be used at any Shoprite, Checkers or uSave to purchase groceries, airtime, or to transfer monies within SA’s borders.
The Shoprite Group hosts regular community cleanup events that also aim to highlight the value of recyclable waste.
A total of four Packa-Ching trailers will be operational by June 2019.

Fynbos community member Maria Meyers was overjoyed about the launch.
“I’m very excited as our areas are dirty. I teach my grandchildren about recycling and how to separate waste,” Meyers said.
She added the lack of an Expanded Public Works Programmes (EPWP) also added to the litter woes. a contributor to the current state of the area.
Border Kei Chamber of Business (BKCOB) executive director Les Holbrook as well as representatives from Buffalo City Metro Development Agency (BCMDA), the department of economic development and environmental affairs and tourism (Dedeat) and BCM were present at the launch.
Collections will take place at Khanya Community Centre on Mondays from 9.30am to 11.30am and on Wednesdays from 2pm to 4pm.
For more information, contact DNF Waste & Environmental Services on 043-745-1005, visit www.dnfwaste.co.za or www.packaching.co.za