Centurion drive turns caps into wheelchairs

A bottle cap recycling project that began in Centurion in 2023 has grown into a life-changing initiative, transforming small household waste into essential mobility support for people in need.

While it was originally started to help the environment by keeping plastic waste out of rivers, the project has since evolved into a community-driven effort to donate wheelchairs and walkers.

Ward 69 councillor Cindy Billson, who launched the initiative, said the idea was inspired by environmental efforts similar to those of Hennops Revival.

“The project started with the intention of keeping bottle caps off the riverbanks, because they are very difficult to remove once they end up there,” said Billson, “Now, it has grown far beyond that.”

Billson said residents can drop off their bottle caps at two main collection points in Centurion, the Saxby SPAR, and Bakenkop Engen Garage.

Others bring their donations during monthly recycling days, usually held on the first Saturday of the month.

“We collect around three and a half tons of bottle caps during these events. It takes about 450kg of caps to raise enough money for one wheelchair.”

Billson added that since the initiative was started, they have managed to donate eight wheelchairs to those in need.

“The project works by passing the collected caps to recycling partners who then give the proceeds to the Centurion Lions Club.

The club uses this money to buy or refurbish wheelchairs for people in the community who need them.”

Tarryn Johnson, founder of the environmental organisation Hennops Revival, said every bit of waste removed helps, but broader efforts are still needed to address the growing waste problem.

“Every piece of waste removed makes a difference, but the scale of the problem requires full-time, sustainable action.

Billson’s initiative focuses more on mobility support now, but it still plays a small part in environmental clean-up.”

Johnson, who once collaborated with an artist who created a bottle cap mosaic statue later auctioned to the United Nations, said there are many creative uses for plastic waste.

“We need bigger and long-term solutions, but these kinds of community efforts still add value,” she said.

Chris Carstens, spokesperson for the Centurion Lions Club, explained how the process works.

“The money raised from the bottle caps is kept until we have enough to meet a request. We recently purchased a new wheelchair for an 89-year-old woman in Laudium after her daughter reached out to Cindy,” he said.

The club, which forms part of Lions Clubs International, often refurbishes donated wheelchairs or modifies them for specific needs.

“Sometimes people do not have the muscle strength to sit upright, so we modify the chairs by adding cushions and support. We also provide walkers when required.”

Suraya Lallo, the daughter of the 89-year-old woman Shanti Jairam, said the new wheelchair made a big difference.

“She is mostly bedridden but uses the chair for half the day. We take her outside for sunlight or push her around the house,” said Lallo.

She said the old wheelchair kept falling apart and had flat tyres, adding, “We are really grateful.”

Last year, the project helped Portia Pilusa, a former wheelchair tennis and basketball player, whose wheelchair broke down on the way to a job interview, and she struggled to find help.

The community initiative stepped in to assist her.

“The greatest help in terms of my mobility came from here,” said Pilusa at the time.

“Since then, my life has improved so much. I work at Clothes to Good now, and I feel confident and proud of what I do. Whether you are disabled or not, there is still a whole life waiting for you.”

Clothes to Good, a disability empowerment and textile recycling organisation, once partnered with the Lions Club and played a crucial role in the success of the project.

Vanessa Mc Anda, spokesperson of Clothes to Good, explained at the time that they source clothing donations from schools, grade them for resale or upcycling, and recycle what cannot be reused.

“We even use some of the unusable materials for items like car seats and mattresses,” said Mc Anda.

Councillor Billson said she has received countless donations over time, many of which now fill up her garage. But to her, each cap represents something far greater.

“Everyone can make a difference. From a simple bottle cap, we can give someone the chance to live a fuller life.”

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