Resentse Sinqobile Trust Trading as Zondi BuyBack Initiative

Recycling waste and offering income to unemployed citizens
Waste Management
Johannesburg
South Africa

The non-profit initiative Resentse Sinqobile Trust (Zondi Buy Back Centre) was initiated in 2004 by the City of Johannesburg through financial support from the Danish government to educate the community about waste management. The initiative contributes to environmental and climate protection by reusing recyclable materials from waste and offers income to unemployed citizens. The Zondi Buy Back Centre buys recyclable materials for a reasonable fee from more than 500 waste pickers who gather the recyclables from household waste and landfills. Plastic material is then granulated and compressed in the centre and then sold to manufacturing companies. 

Eco-Inclusive Impacts
Resentse Sinqobile Trust’s effort to raise awareness on waste management creates employment through a buyback initiative and contributes to environmental protection by reducing solid waste.
  • Educating the citizens of of Johannesburg about sound waste management and its benefits.

 

  • Reducing solid waste contributes to environmental and climate protection through education and collection.

 

  • Creating employment for 30 people and indirectly increasing economic opportunities for an additional 500 people.

Partners

“Resentse Sinqobile Trust Trading as Zondi BuyBack Initiative”. A local NGO and government institutions have teamed up to establish this comprehensive buyback centre to recycle, reshape and sell household waste such as cans and plastic. Natural resource protection, the reduction of litter, increased employment opportunities and an educational program are among the impressive results of this initiative.

Recovery Action Group (RAG) provides training and identifies role players in industry and capacity building.

PIKITUP a City of Johannesburg waste management company.

City of Johannesburg established the project and lobbies on behalf of the initiative.

  • Department of Environmental Affairs provides financial and capacity-building support.