South Africa’s efforts to improve plastic recycling are gaining support as companies and community enterprises work together to create more collection points and income opportunities for waste reclaimers.

Plastic packaging producer responsibility organisation Polyco has launched a new Packa-Ching mobile recycling unit that will serve communities in the East Rand and Soweto, helping residents earn money by collecting and recycling plastic and other recyclable materials.

The new unit, sponsored by energy and chemicals company Sasol, will be operated by Trash2Treasure Recycling and Waste Management, a women-led recycling business that works with households, schools and companies to recover valuable materials from waste.

The mobile trailer forms part of Polyco’s Packa-Ching network, which includes 62 units across South Africa. Through the programme, community members are paid directly for recyclable materials collected, with all volumes recorded through the WeighPay platform.

Since its launch, the Packa-Ching initiative has paid more than R57 million ($3.5 million) to participating communities and helped divert more than 45 million kilograms of recyclable material away from landfills.

New recycling unit expands community collection efforts

Trash2Treasure operates in Ekurhuleni and Soweto, providing collection services while creating income opportunities for women, young people and waste reclaimers. The company has built relationships with local communities by helping residents turn recyclable waste into a source of income.

Polyco said the latest mobile unit will increase collection capacity for Trash2Treasure and allow the company to reach more households, schools and businesses that want to participate in recycling efforts.

Women-led businesses take bigger role in recycling sector

Polyco Chief Executive Patricia Pillay said women play a central role in South Africa’s recycling economy, with many involved in collecting, sorting and recovering recyclable materials despite facing challenges such as limited access to equipment and funding.

“As a woman entrepreneur in the recycling sector, Nokuthula works closely with waste reclaimers, creates income opportunities and inspires youth and women to see waste as a valuable resource rather than a problem,” Pillay said.

In 2025, Polyco invested R22 million through its enterprise development programme to support 23 small and medium-sized recycling businesses, including 14 women-owned enterprises. Of the 62 Packa-Ching trailers funded nationwide, 21 are owned by women entrepreneurs.

Recycling investment supports jobs and environmental goals

Trash2Treasure founder Nokuthula Tshabalala said the new trailer will help the company expand its collection services, support more waste reclaimers and strengthen recycling programmes built with local communities.

“The Packa-Ching trailer marks a major milestone for our organisation. It will help us support more waste reclaimers, expand our collection services and show young people that protecting the environment can also create livelihoods,” Tshabalala said.

Polyco is South Africa’s producer responsibility organisation focused on plastic packaging recycling.

The organisation works with industry partners, recycling businesses and communities to increase collection rates, support small enterprises and reduce plastic waste sent to landfill.

The new Packa-Ching unit highlights how partnerships between businesses, community recyclers and entrepreneurs are helping build a stronger recycling economy while creating opportunities for people working on the ground.