The Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (Pamsa) and its recycling arm RecyclePaperZA will be providing care packages to 1 500 waste collectors in Springs from Wednesday to Friday as part of their Mandela Day celebrations.
Included in the packages are handwashing units, soap, cloth face masks, food vouchers, children’s activity packs and blankets.
Springs was selected because it is where member buy-back centres are located.
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Speaking on behalf of the three organisations, project coordinator Anele Sololo says, “The effects of lockdown, the winter months and lack of access to water for handwashing has exacerbated the plight of so many people, in particular informal recycling collectors.
“After all they live hand to mouth.
“With handwashing being the first line of defence against the spread of the coronavirus, we are trying to improve access to simple handwashing facilities at people’s homes.”
The unit is an unique South African innovation comprising a plastic bracket that holds an upside-down two-litre soft drink bottle, fitted with a valve.
The bracket can be mounted onto a pole or wall and the bottle can be filled at the closest tap.”
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Fibre Circle, Pamsa and RecyclePaperZA are appealing to the public, as well as employees in the forestry, pulp and paper sector to show their support by donating R300 (or an amount of your choice) towards a care pack.
“While Covid-19 infection rates continue to rise sharply, we are encouraging people to visit the Back-a-Buddy page, donate their preferred amount and we?ll do the work for them,” says Sololo.
The handover started in Daggafontein on Wednesday, and then headed to Never-Never informal settlement on Thursday and end at Everest informal settlement on Friday, with 500 packages handed out in each area.
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