Stay Home and Help Recycling Collectors This Mandela Day

The paper and paper packaging sector has launched a collaborative initiative to distribute care packs to informal waste collectors in three areas on 15, 16 and 17 July 2020 as part of Mandela Day.

Fibre Circle, the producer responsibility organisation for the paper and paper packaging sector, and the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA) will be providing handwashing units, soap, cloth facemask, food vouchers, children’s activity packs and blankets to 1 500 waste collectors in the Industria, Springs and Tshwane areas of Gauteng, where member buy-back centres are located.

Speaking on behalf of Fibre Circle, project coordinator Anele Sololo says, “The effects of COVID-19, lockdown, the winter months and lack of access to water for handwashing has exacerbated the plight of so many people, in particular informal recycling collectors, who live hand to mouth.”

“With handwashing being the first line of defence against the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, we are trying to improve access to simple handwashing facilities at people’s homes,” explains Sololo.

The handwashing unit is a unique South African innovation comprising a plastic bracket that holds an upside-down two-litre soft drink bottle, fitted with a valve. The bracket can be mounted onto a pole or wall and the bottle can be filled at the closest tap.