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Unisa empowers Daveyton community through recycling workshop

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Community members, Unisa staff and partners celebrate a successful day of learning and collaboration

On 3 June 2025, the Unisa Ekurhuleni Regional Service Centre, in partnership with Petco and the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, hosted a community-driven recycling workshop under the theme "Empowering communities to be sustainable through recycling". The event formed part of the Basadi Engaged Scholarship Project led by Patricia Lethole.

Petco is a producer responsibility organisation, trusted by its members and the collection and recycling industry to drive change across the packaging value chain on a journey to help lead South Africa to a circular economy.

This once-off initiative was aimed at promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility by educating the community about recycling and the circular economy. It specifically targeted local waste pickers and recyclers, providing them with valuable knowledge and practical tools for contributing meaningfully to waste management and economic sustainability.

Representatives from Petco and the Department of Economic Development delivered insightful presentations. Kamogelo Hamisi from Petco educated attendees on the different types of recyclable waste, including plastics, paper, cardboard and glass, and discussed their economic value. He also highlighted resources available to support community recycling efforts, such as bags, weighing scales, trolleys, trailers and baling machines. Mulalo Justice Mudau from the Gauteng Department of Economic Development encouraged community members to formalise their activities by registering recycling businesses to access funding and other forms of support from the department.

In her welcome, Abongile Sinono of Unisa emphasised the importance of the "5 Rs" – Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose and Recycle – and encouraged community members to adopt waste-conscious habits. She remarked: "We must rethink what we throw away and see it as a potential resource. Recycling is not only about the environment but also about creating sustainable economic opportunities."

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Enthusiastic participants receive special recognition for their engagement during the workshop

Participants described the workshop as eye-opening and empowering. "The training provided new knowledge that many of us didn’t have before", one attendee said, reflecting the broader sentiment of appreciation among participants.

The workshop was open to the public and attracted a strong turnout from the Daveyton community. Although this was the first time the Unisa Ekurhuleni Regional Service Centre hosted such an event, its success paves the way for potential future initiatives aimed at fostering environmental awareness and community resilience.

* By Hlawulani Mbekwa and Primrose Nontobeko Qumbisa, Communication and Marketing Interns, Gauteng Region

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Publish date: 2025-07-29 00:00:00.0

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