Walmer Heights Gqeberha, Eastern Cape

An initiative started 11 years ago with the intention to make community-level recycling and waste management a project of excellence has today turned into a shining example of a project that ticks multiple boxes to build better communities. 

In 2014 the Fountain Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape started their recycling initiative with just four bins and the hope to encourage people to manage their waste better. The project expanded quickly, when one of the church members, Maria Grewar, recognised they could add to the initiative by giving people the opportunity to collect, sort and trade in recyclables in return for points. These points could in turn be traded for general food items, toiletries, and second-hand clothing and blankets. And with this, the ReTrade Project was launched.

The innovative programme benefits the environment; gives meaning to work for jobless people in the city; restores dignity for waste traders; and helps people shift their minds about their role and responsibility to minimising their waste footprint. 

What was the problem?

High unemployment in Gqeberha and the Eastern Cape has seen more people struggle to make ends meet. The church community of the Vineyard Christian Fellowship was already handing out food parcels as part of its mission work but recognised the need for solutions to address high employment, mounting food insecurity and a deepening waste management crisis.

“The hunger issues in our communities were very real even in pre-Covid times and it’s just become more dire in the last few years,” says Dr Jessica Roonasen, a committee member of the ReTrade Project.

The church was also wanting to restore dignity to people, not just be give handouts.  

How are they solving it?

The ReTrade Project had the support of their church community for volunteers, donations and for the land owned by the church. The land was ideal to be zoned for projects for community benefit, including to be to be a recycling depot as part of the waste management pipeline.

Roonasen says: “ReTrade has overcome significant challenges as a community project. This included many meetings with council. ReTrade had to be compliant with the bylaws and be innovative at the same time in dealing with the climate crisis, the waste problem and communities struggling with hunger.”

ReTrade has focused on education programmes to inspire the community to cut back on waste and to make recycling more efficient. For instance, Roonasen says, it about information on separating properly at source. It’s the likes of separating white and coloured paper or rinsing out milk cartons before putting them in the recycle bins. 

They also chose a partner carefully, she says. They work with Blue Square who manage the recycling buy-back process. Monies are ploughed back into ReTrade and other church outreach programmes. 

For Funeke Sobele, who is a ReTrade store manager, she says the project has given hope to the community. She says: “Some people they do work, but it’s not enough money so when they come here to the store and have points it means they can trade for something extra.

“It makes me very happy to know that they are taking some home things they need for a baby or their children at home,” she says.

What makes it work?

Recognising and using existing resources – The ReTrade project was able to lean on the  existing infrastructure and resources of the church. They also had the support of local business and schools. 

Working within the limits of bylaws, smartly – ReTrade worked collaboratively with municipal officials to stay within bylaws and to adhere to health and safety rules. They also keep open channels of communication with their community to address concerns.

Having a strong management plan – The provision store trades three times a week and maintains adequate stock. Being consistent means traders can trust what they offers.

Making the project for everyone – They focused on creating a recycling programme and facility of excellence. As a safe, well managed space, it is intended to be welcoming for the wealthy and the poor alike. 

Education and awareness drives – ReTrade emphasises education and awareness. This ensures that recycling can be most efficiently collected, sorted and stored before it’s bought by their partners. They also host children for school visits. 

A strong media strategy – ReTrade runs an interactive updated website and have a strong communications and media strategy.  

Good partnership and collaboration – Partnerships with Blue Trade work well because the company understands the local recycling economy. They also helped to train volunteers from the church in managing recycling. ReTrade also collaborates with the Leva Foundation, a Nelson Mandela Bay non-profit organisation focused on empowerment and community upliftment. 

Acknowledgements

Author: FixLocal Reporter

Additional articles/sources: https://www.retradeproject.co.za/

Photograph: ReTrade