Keep the environment clean and earn money
The mobility of the Packa-Ching unit, which was recently launched, will address the inconvenience of recycling by taking the recycling facility to the doorstep of its users.
THE community of Clermont and its surroundings was recently introduced to an exciting new recycling project that helps its members keep their community clean while learning about the benefits of recycling their packaging waste – and how to earn rewards.
According to the Big Start buy-back centre founder, Thozeka Letuka, Packa-Ching is an exciting new incentivised mobile recycling initiative that presents an ingenious solution to many of the issues that keep local community members from recycling.
With the truck, which comprises a truck and trailer, the aim is to make work for waste collectors easy as it will travel around Clermont, New Germany, KwaDabeka, Wyebank and Pinetown.
Also read: Recycle and earn: Buy-back centre officially launched
Letuka said they are hoping to reach more places around Durban to reduce the amount of recyclable waste entering landfills or being discarded into the environment.
Explaining how the unit sponsored by Polyco works, Letuka said Packa-Ching collects used recyclable packaging material from the public, especially those in low-income and informal areas.
“People only need a standard cellphone to use the service and to receive the payouts, which makes it accessible to everyone. The payments are enabled by a technology-based weigh-and-pay system, allowing the initiative to be mobile and cashless,” she said.
She said that community members bring their bags of recyclable packaging material, including plastic, paper, metal cans and glass, to the truck to be checked, weighed and exchanged for a monetary value.
“The money earned is paid in real time into a cashless e-wallet payment system called eVoucher.Mobi. The funds are immediately available to spend at participating merchants.”
For those people who cannot come to the unit, Letuka encouraged them to bring their recyclables to the centre in Freese Road next to the Durban Solid Waste (DSW) Clermont Garden Refuse and Transfer Station.
“Alternatively, they can contact us to come and collect,” she said.
The centre currently operates from Monday to Friday, 07:00 to 15:00. The office can be contacted on 031 943 4538 or contact Zimvo on 068 041 9980.
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