Waste2Opportunity Transforms Sir Lowry’s Pass and Lives

In less than a year, a grassroots initiative in Sir Lowry’s Pass Village is transforming the local waste problem into a powerful engine for job creation and community upliftment. Founded by Lionel and Danzel in November 2023, the social enterprise Waste2Opportunity collects, sorts, and sells recyclable materials, forging a path toward financial independence for residents.

A Model for Community Upliftment

Operating without external funding, Waste2Opportunity has achieved significant milestones. The project has built a team of 11 staff, which includes five individuals recovering from substance addiction. It has also partnered with over 180 regular community waste collectors, 90% of whom were previously unemployed. This initiative is a clear example of how recycling can create livelihoods.

To date, the team has collected, sorted, and sold more than 208,000 kilograms of waste. This equates to over 4.4 tonnes of plastics, metals, and e-waste processed every single week. The enterprise has directly paid out R450,000 to its network of waste pickers. Many of these individuals are from vulnerable groups, including single parents, people with disabilities, and those rebuilding their lives.

Scaling for Greater Impact

As detailed in the complete version, there are several key factors to consider.

The success of this self-sustaining model demonstrates that recycling can create a tangible social and environmental impact. Waste2Opportunity is now poised to scale its operations but requires community support. Their immediate goal is to raise R175,000 to purchase a second-hand pickup truck, improve facility safety, and increase working capital to buy more materials from local pickers. With this investment, they project they can triple their operational capacity.

This initiative proves that recycling can build a stronger, more resilient community. It provides dignity through employment and shows that local solutions can drive national change. For those looking to support this cause, more information is available through Waste2Opportunity’s BackaBuddy campaign. Every contribution helps turn more waste into opportunity for the people of Sir Lowry’s Pass.