For Petco, working with local government to empower the people who collect recyclable packaging is a core part of what we do.

When our team paid a visit to Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality last year, we heard their needs and committed to supporting the municipality with its waste management, collection, and recycling objectives.

Delivering on this promise over the past year, we’ve been able to help them by:

• Contributing 48 separation-at-source (S@S) bins and 112 sets of personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as recycling collection bags and bulk storage bags;
• Hosting a recycling workshop for collectors and community members aspiring to start collection businesses; and
• Providing accredited business training for 36 small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) to help them manage their businesses effectively.

It’s our hope that with this support the municipality will move forward with confidence in addressing its waste challenges, and that the area’s collector SMMEs will flourish and further grow their day-to-day operations.