Packaging manufacturer Huhtamaki also backed the scheme, aimed to give 18 waste collectors, in the Diepsloot community, north-east of Johannesburg, the skills, mentoring, and financial support they needed to improve their income.

WasteAid’s 16-week Huhtamaki Wastepreneur Challenge was developed with training partner The Wot-If? Trust which has been working with young people in Diepsloot for several years.

WasteAid’s director of Pprogrammes, Michelle Wilson said: “WasteAid is committed to working with communities to bring the right people together to achieve a lasting positive impact on the environment and wellbeing of those living there. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing waste collectors, who battle every day for the recognition and respect that they deserve, transform into wastepreneurs.”

“The pitch day is a significant moment in our training programme. It’s so rewarding to see how far the wastepreneurs have come. Through a blend of personal coaching and practical training they grow in confidence and the gem of an idea they start the course with flourishes, and they can map out the steps they need to take to make their idea a reality and improve their earning potential. The judges were so impressed by everyone’s pitches that they decided to invest in all 18 participant’s businesses.”

The business ideas presented by the wastepreneurs ranged from the need for equipment like trolleys to transport waste and cages and fencing to secure the aggregation of waste, as well as operational set-up support like compliance and governance for a satellite buy-back centre.

Juan Mulder, Huhtamaki South Africa’s sustainability specialist added: “We were extremely impressed by everyone’s pitches. It was obvious that they take their business ideas very seriously and were committed to making the most of the opportunities available to them. It’s clear that they want to improve their current situation. At the end of the day, all of their business ideas will benefit the whole community, so we decided that everyone was deserving of financial support.”