Collection and recycling industry

How Petco supports the collection and recycling industry

How Petco can help you

Being part of the collection and recycling value chain is an honest and valuable way to earn a living. Petco is committed to contributing to enterprise and socio-economic development in this sector.

Collectors – waste pickers, buy-back centres, co-operatives, SMMEs and waste management companies – play an important role within the sustainable value chain that Petco has built. They help to divert recyclables from landfills, create income opportunities and contribute to South Africa’s economy. We strive to assist all these groups through equipment and infrastructure support, training, skills development, and ongoing mentorship.

We also engage with municipalities, helping them to set up separation-at-source projects and to work with waste pickers in their area.

Equipment and infrastructure support

Committed individuals have the opportunity to apply for sponsorship of equipment that will help to expand their collections.

Collector workshops and skills development

Petco offers collector workshops on how to start and/or grow a collection business, informing people on different types of recyclables and how to collect and sort them.

Accredited training

Petco offers accredited business training, covering topics such as financial management, basic maths, marketing and the legal aspects of running a business.

Mentorship

Petco connects collectors with buyers and offers support and advice to assist collectors to grow and sustain their businesses.

Waste picker service fee (WPSF)

Petco makes payment of a WPSF to compensate waste pickers for collection services and environmental benefits. This fee is paid to waste pickers who are registered on SAWPRS, a transactional platform and a cashless payment solution.

The collection and recycling industry's role in the circular economy

Collect recyclables

Sell recyclables

Communicate with communities

Operate collection and sorting facilities

Manage waste collection systems

See how Petco has supported these individuals and businesses

Supporting collections for Kaysim

We sponsored Kaysim (Pty) Ltd, a waste management company in KwaZulu-Natal, with a 6m trailer and platform scale. The trailer will go a long way in assisting Kaysim with transporting their recyclables between collection points, sorting facilities, and selling points. The platform scale will facilitate multiple pay points – allowing for quicker transactions and a potential increase in the number of waste pickers supported by the project. The company, which employs six people, are now also planning to expand further along the South Coast.

Hearing De Song’s business needs

In our ongoing efforts to enhance small waste management businesses, we recently assisted Ngoma De Song Enterprise in eLukwatini, Mpumalanga, by providing an industrial platform scale and personal protective equipment (PPE) for their 16 waste pickers. The PPE, including protective clothing, gloves, and masks, aims to improve working conditions, safety, and the professional appearance of waste pickers, while the scale is expected to enhance the accuracy of weighing recyclable materials, potentially increasing the quality and volume of their collections.

Mokone New Life gets trolleys

We supported the Mokone New Life project in Daveyton, Gauteng, with an industrial platform scale, a mobile scale, and six branded trolleys. The project employs six individuals, with key stakeholders being SMMEs and waste pickers. This assistance aims to enhance the project’s capacity for collecting recyclables, contributing to its sustainability and expansion. Project members anticipate increased collections and business growth with the provided equipment.