Project to empower women through recycling initiative as a means of income generation

A project to train unemployed women to sort recyclables for income was launched tis week in Windhoek.

The joint initiative dubbed, “Community Recycling Heroes Project” is being supported by Recycle Namibia Forum (RNF), Development Workshop Namibia (DWN), and Coca-Cola Namibia Beverages (CCNB).

Speaking at the launch in Windhoek, RNF Coordinator, Anita Witt said the objective will not only ensure that recyclable waste will be retrieved to enter the collection stream, but it will also create awareness that recyclables have value, and contribute to keeping communities clean.

“The Recycling Heroes Project also provides an opportunity to ‘take hands to a cleaner Namibia’, whilst empowering women and creating employment,” she said.

CCNB spokesperson, Enid Johr at the launch said that through the project 250 waste collectors from Windhoek, Swakopmund, and Otjiwarongo will receive training and the opportunity to link up with recyclers through a pioneering community recycling program.

The training will be facilitated via DWN’s current network with the assistance of community leaders with further training sessions planned for 29024 in other areas in the country.

“The programme will assist the local authorities towards cleaner communities and towns in Namibia while creating an income stream for currently unemployed people,” she added.

According to Johr in terms of plastic waste collection CCNB is already collecting 54% of what they put in the market and with initiatives similar to the launched one, they support 18 other waste collectors across Namibia.

Currently, the bulk of Namibia‘s waste is sent to South Africa for recycling.

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