Boksburg entrepreneur turns waste into worth
What started with one bakkie in Boksburg is now a thriving enterprise, proving recycling can create jobs and change lives.
In line with Recycling Week 2025, also known as Clean-up & Recycle SA Week, Silas Phasha stands out in Boksburg as a local example of how recycling can turn waste into opportunity.
What started on the streets of Boksburg with a single bakkie has grown into a recycling powerhouse that is changing lives across Gauteng and the Northern Cape. Nearly two decades ago, resident Phasha founded Boki Trading Enterprise with one simple goal: to give his community a place to sell their recyclables and earn an income.
What began as a one-man operation has since blossomed into a thriving business that now employs around 100 people and collects hundreds of tons of recyclables each year.
At the core of his success is glass. “Glass is clean, pure, and 100% recyclable over and over again. If we recycle it properly, it keeps our neighbourhoods clean and our economy moving.”
For Silas, recycling is not just about waste management. It’s about dignity, pride, and opportunity.
“Families in Boksburg and surrounding areas now rely on recycling to put food on the table, pay school fees, and take pride in contributing to a cleaner environment.”
By creating income opportunities from what others throw away, Silas has helped transform waste into worth.
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According to him, his long-standing partnership with The Glass Recycling Company (TGRC) has been instrumental in this journey.
“TGRC initially helped reduce my start-up costs by supplying scales and bags. More recently, their transport subsidy has allowed me to expand into new areas, collect larger volumes, and create more jobs.
“TGRC’s support has made a big difference. Without it, we wouldn’t be reaching these volumes. The partnership has turned my small start into a sustainable business model, creating ripple effects in communities where unemployment is high and opportunities scarce.”
For Silas, the rewards are deeply personal. “Boki now supports 10 of my relatives, including my son, who has formal qualifications but chose to stay and work in recycling. That means the world to me.”
His message is clear: “Glass recycling is not only about income, it is about building dignity, supporting families, and keeping Boksburg clean for generations to come.”
Also Read: Unlocking the ABCs of glass recycling
