Petco recently joined forces with local municipalities in Limpopo to host hands-on recycling workshops and liquid board packaging (LBP) activations, helping waste pickers and small businesses boost their skills, diversify the range of recyclables they collect, and increase their income.

Our initiatives always aim to link individuals and communities with knowledge and opportunities, so that we are actively turning everyday recycling into real benefits for households and the environment across South Africa.

Our journey began in Jane Furse, where 35 participants gathered to share ideas, learn practical recycling techniques, and strengthen collection networks alongside Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality, Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET), and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). They also swapped ideas, picked up advice to improve their day-to-day work, and highlighted how small businesses and waste pickers play an active role in South Africa’s recycling efforts.

A week later, at the Mabatlane Landfill in Vaalwater, 13 dedicated waste pickers brought in LBP for on-the-spot rewards from Petco – including gloves, reflector vests, raincoats and cellphones. What made this activation especially rewarding was the presence of a local buy-back centre, which purchased collections on-site. This immediate, hands-on support showed waste pickers the real value of recycling and the direct impact their efforts have on both livelihoods and the environment.