At Petco, we continue to drive positive change in South Africa through community-focused environmental initiatives.
Recent partners in this endeavour include Isiqalo Opportunity Centre in Roodepoort, the Department of Agriculture, and a whole host of local municipalities and communities in Mpumalanga, where we conducted much-needed community clean-ups.
Everyone got to benefit. That’s the beauty of the circular economy – our work, and yours, generates endless spin-off benefits, such as cleaner communities, enhanced cooperation, and increased participation in this ever-growing economic sector. Find out what we've been doing to educate waste pickers, buy-back centres and whole communities who are working hard to improve their prospects of success in the business of recycling.
At the Isiqalo Opportunity Centre in Roodepoort, Petco hosted an accredited NQF Level 2 course on 'Managing Business Operations’, with the aim of teaching wastepreneurs essential business skills.
The training emphasised that recycling is a formal business and should be approached with a structured, business-like mindset and a clear, workable business plan. We showed participants how to create such a plan, including basic market analysis, operational strategy, record keeping and daily management practices. Established SMMEs who attended are now better prepared to grow their businesses, while aspiring wastepreneurs gained valuable insights into how to pursue opportunities in the sector.
In Mpumalanga, we joined forces with the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land, and Environmental Affairs and the Thembisile Hani Local Municipality for a community clean-up event. The 60 attendees were also educated on effective ways to recycle, with many participating in the clean-up. This event sparked interesting conversations about the importance of collective action to protect natural resources, and the positive effects of proper waste management on the environment and health of our communities.
In Matholesville, Gauteng, we held a workshop to empower waste pickers and buy-back centres with the skills needed to boost operations and start their own buy-back businesses. Participants were introduced to recycling best practices, the circular economy, and the latest industry innovations, technologies, and strategies. Through sharing these insights, Petco is helping create business opportunities and jobs while also making a meaningful contribution to local recycling efforts.
Through collaborations with local municipalities and communities, waste pickers, and entrepreneurs, Petco is paving the way for lasting change in South Africa. In this drive towards environmental sustainability – whether through education and support or creating jobs and fostering economic growth – together, we’re transforming communities, one recycling initiative at a time.
Other Petco news
