Big bucks in ‘trolley-preneurship’
‘One cardboard collector in Richards Bay earns R40 000 a month’
RIDDING South Africa’s environment of discarded paper and plastic is a lucrative business.
And packaging and recycling group Mpact is assisting Zululanders get a piece of the pie.
Speaking at the Zululand Chamber of Commerce and Industry SMME forum meeting in Richards Bay on Tuesday, Mpact procurement specialist Antoinette Marais said the company offers training and even provides unemployed individuals with a trolley to turn trash into treasure.
There are currently only 40 local ‘landfill entrepreneurs’ from whom Mpact buys white office paper, newspapers, magazines, mixed or coloured paper, cement bags, potato bags, water and cold drink bottles, clear plastic, mixed plastic, shrink plastic, milk bottles and cartons.
‘Some recyclers make around R7 500 per month. One cardboard collector in Richards Bay earns R40 000 a month.
‘We collect from him three times a week.
‘There is huge opportunity here for people to benefit from the recycling industry.
‘We have also worked hard to get industries on board to, for example, collect juice bottles and plastics from their canteens.’
She said this rather simple entrepreneurial activity is not only an eco-friendly moneymaking business, but a necessity to prevent an overload of waste at the Empangeni landfill site.
‘All of the rubbish in this region is sent to this landfill site.
‘One day soon it will be full and garbage will be sent to Mandeni at the cost of the taxpayer.’
Her advice to interested parties is to make an appointment with Mpact for training and to register as an SMME or individual supplier of the company.
‘You do not need any money to start this business.
‘All you need is commitment, effort and to grow your footprint for success.
‘An on-site visit and training with an Mpact representative will include identifying sources of waste in your area and troubleshooting.’
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