The Glass Recycling Company (TGRC) recently hosted another waste picker training, Buyback Centre (BBC) and business management bootcamp in Khayelitsha, aimed at strengthening the entrepreneurial capacity of glass collectors, increasing the number of buyback centres, and supporting the sustainability of those operating in the area. The bootcamp also sought to build stronger relationships and partnerships with municipalities and government stakeholders to support the growth of a more inclusive and effective glass recycling ecosystem.
Held at the Isivivana Centre in Khayelitsha, the bootcamp brought together 65 participants, including buyback centre owners, collectors, and waste pickers from Khayelitsha and Philippi, alongside key stakeholders such as the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning. The initiative forms part of TGRC’s broader strategy to expand South Africa’s glass recycling ecosystem by supporting entrepreneurs and collectors who play a critical role in glass collection and material recovery.
A key part of this bootcamp is strengthening the grassroots recycling economy, where collectors and buyback centres play an important role in diverting glass from landfills while creating livelihoods.
“Collectors and buyback centres are at the heart of South Africa’s glass recycling ecosystem,” says Shabeer Jhetam, CEO of The Glass Recycling Company. “By investing in business training and creating opportunities for collaboration with partners across the value chain, we are helping expand collectors’ participation in the glass recycling economy and enabling more buyback centres to be established. Strengthening these businesses ultimately increases the amount of glass that is recovered and recycled, while creating jobs and economic opportunity within communities.”
“Training sessions like this also create a platform for engagement between collectors, buyback centres, municipalities, government representatives, and industry partners. Bringing these groups together helps strengthen relationships across the recycling value chain while also creating the opportunity to discuss partnerships, funding opportunities for SMMEs, and the broader waste management and producer responsibility programmes that support recycling enterprises. It also ensures that the people collecting glass are supported and recognised for the important role they play,” he adds.
“Collectors and buyback centres play an integral role in the glass recycling value chain,” said Lusanele Mahlutshana, facilitator of the bootcamp. “By equipping them with business management skills and connecting them with partners in the ecosystem, TGRC is helping to unlock opportunities for growth, formalisation, and long-term sustainability in the sector.”
The bootcamp was delivered in collaboration with several stakeholders working across the recycling and enterprise development landscape. Representatives from the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning shared insights on South Africa’s evolving waste management framework, including the role of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in strengthening recycling systems and supporting small businesses within the value chain.
Participants also heard from Fetola, a leading enterprise development incubator, which was invited by TGRC to highlight opportunities for small recycling enterprises to access business incubation programmes, grant funding, and development support through partnerships with financial institutions and impact investors.
Beyond stakeholder engagement, the core focus of the bootcamp was practical business training designed specifically for collectors and both emerging and existing recycling entrepreneurs.
For many participants, the training addressed a critical gap between operating informally within the recycling economy and developing sustainable, scalable enterprises capable of accessing funding and growth opportunities.
The bootcamp also provided a platform for collectors and entrepreneurs to share the challenges they face on the ground, enabling TGRC and its partners to better shape future interventions that support enterprise development within the recycling sector.
TGRC also distributed personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks, gloves, and protective goggles, to participants.
The strong turnout and engagement from collectors and entrepreneurs highlight the growing interest in recycling as a pathway to entrepreneurship and job creation in Cape Town’s communities. Many participants noted that the workshop not only provided practical tools for running their businesses but also created valuable networking opportunities with peers and stakeholders across the sector.
TGRC will continue hosting similar bootcamps across the country as part of its ongoing efforts to increase the number of active collectors and buyback centres, improve operational capacity in the sector, and ultimately boost glass collection across South Africa. Through continued collaboration with provincial governments, municipalities, and industry partners, TGRC aims to further strengthen the recycling value chain and unlock greater economic opportunities for collectors and entrepreneurs working within the sector.
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