Hlanzekile River and Ocean Cleaning founder Floyd Nyayi said the organisation’s growing network of clean-up sites continues to feed directly into its recycling and upcycling work.

Nyayi said that the group collects waste from rivers, streams and public spaces across multiple locations, including Melville Koppies and Albertsville.

The collected material is then sorted and weighed as part of the organisation’s record-keeping process before selected plastics are redirected for reuse. Founded in 2023, they focus on removing plastic waste from aquatic systems and public environments. The organisation has steadily expanded its footprint through partnerships and community-based clean-ups.

Read more: Waste no match for united clean-up force in Albertsville Park

In 2025, the group opened a small workshop in Soweto, funded personally and operating with limited equipment. At this facility, HDPE plastic is melted and moulded into new products. Among the first items produced were pens intended for distribution to learners, as well as school desks designed to support educational spaces.

Nyayi said the choice of products was deliberate, linking recycling directly to education. He added that the organisation’s educational programme works alongside the workshop, allowing learners to engage with the idea that waste can be transformed into useful items.

Also read: Community comes together for Botanical Gardens clean-up blitz

He explained that materials collected during clean-ups are not only removed from the environment but also reintroduced into communities in the form of practical tools. This process, he said, reinforces the connection between environmental care and community development.

Nyayi also highlighted that residents play an important role in the process by contributing waste that would otherwise end up in rivers, streams and parks. He encouraged the use of the organisation’s website and social media platforms for those wishing to donate materials or participate in clean-ups.

While Hlanzekile has collaborated with other organisations in recycling and environmental management, Nyayi said its reach continues to grow through consistent engagement in different areas. He noted that each clean-up site contributes to both environmental restoration and the supply of materials for the workshop.

Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!