Unmanaged waste in communities is a health and environmental concern because waste can contaminate the soil and water and increase risks of natural disasters and health issues.
To address the unmanaged waste crisis in communities; fast thinking entrepreneurs are starting rubbish removal businesses.
Managing waste at a mall
Mawande Jara was inspired to start Mkhuzangwe Consultancy after he observed that not enough was being done by his municipality to manage waste and ensure that Khayelitsha residents lived in a clean environment.
His business tackles waste one truckload at a time. On a monthly basis they can deliver 45 tons of cardboard, 300kg of packed plastic and 100kgs of white paper for recycling. While it might seem like a drop in the ocean, Mkhuzangwe Consultancy is making a positive contribution in waste management.
In 2021 during the pandemic Jara secured a contract with Khayelitsha Mall and this was a game changer for the business. He now collects and sorts the mall’s waste and sells it to recyclers. By doing this, he is reducing land pollution because the waste is recycled.
Tackling solid waste management
In 2020, the world was estimated to generate 2.24 billion tonnes of solid waste, amounting to a footprint of 0.79 kilograms per person per day. To address this challenge at a local level, an entrepreneur decided to start a business.
Nhlanhla Rikhotso started OT Rubble Removal in 2018 after he noticed that his community was struggling to address the solid waste challenge.
Rikhotso resigned from his reputable job and used his pension money to invest in his business. Today, the business manages waste and ensures that Polokwane community members live in areas that are free from solid waste.
Running a business that is highly dependent on trucks comes with challenges. His resilience as an entrepreneur was tested when two of his four-ton trucks had mechanical challenges and he was forced to sell them. The trucks were an expensive purchase and losing them was hard on the business.
“Selling my trucks was hard on my business,” said Rikhotso. The loss of the trucks unfortunately led to job cuts.
With one truck, he can transport tons of building rubble to recycling centres. The Polokwane based business is within proximity to popular suburbs that have a strong stance against illegal dumping, and this create business for him.
Creating a positive social impact
According to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the first quarter of 2022, the unemployment rate was 63,9% for those aged 15-24 and 42,1% for those aged 25-34 years. Mkhuzangwe Consultancy has eight full-time employees that are providing for their families through the waste management business.
“I’m proud that even during the pandemic my business remained sustainable, and we were able to pay our staff,” said Jara.
Illegal dumping is a huge challenge in informal settlements and has a negative impact on the health and wellbeing of residents.
“Poor people are often forced to live in unhygienic conditions, and I want to use my business to change that,” said Rikhotso.
How they turn waste into profits
Since the launch of the South African Waste Pickers Association in 2009, more entrepreneurs are entering the waste management sector. Their businesses have led to job creation, and they ensure waste does not end up in landfills.
“Food waste that ends up in landfills is hazardous to our people,” said Jara.
The business works closely with waste pickers that bring waste to the business.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research found that the waste management sector in South Africa has an estimated turnover of at least R15.3 billion per annum. The business model of diverting waste into profit is innovative and sustainable.
“We divert rubble from going to the landfill by recycling it and using use it to patch roads in Mamahule village,” said Rikhotso.
To make an additional income, they also clean up the rubble and sell it to customers to use for their building projects.
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