ICYMI: Green Buffalos aim to help waste recyclers in Sunninghill

After months of hard work and planning, a local non-profit organisation hosted its soft opening in Sunninghill on 16 July.

The Green Buffalos is an organisation that aims to empower waste pickers and provide them with sustainable employment. It will help formalise the work that waste pickers do as well as upskill them.

The organisation was formed by Sean Jory-Burgess and Shaun Slabber and there are 27 waste pickers now associated with the Green Buffalos. The organisation plans to work in conjunction with a number of other organisations to encourage community members to separate their waste so that it can be recycled efficiently.

Waste pickers associated with the Green Buffalos will be provided with a bicycle and a trailer attached, and a uniform which indicates who they work for and their name. These bikes will provide a safer form of transportation for the waste recyclers.

Jory-Burgess said the project was not only to help waste pickers be more safe on the road, but also to help them financially in the long run.”The money that comes in from the waste that is gathered will go immediately into their pocket. This allows them to get accommodation and better financial planning,” he said.

The well-being of the waste pickers is at the core of the organisation, with plans to provide them with nutritional meals, shelter and a decent income to improve their lives.One of the goals is to integrate the community with the recyclers in the suburb. Slabber said educating the community on the correct methods of recycling was key.

“The environment is key for our future generations, and bringing the community closer together, even during these difficult times, is definitely possible.”

Former vice-chairman of the chamber forum of the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Shaheen Hoosen praised the organisation and encouraged support from everyone in the business sector, community and country.

“Everyone needs to come together for this initiative to materialise. We believe the government can play a significant role by easing restrictions and getting on board by providing access and providing whatever other support they can,” Hoosen said.

“The time to recycle is now, because your dirt is a living for our brothers.”

Both Jory-Burgess and Slabber admitted that there would be teething problems in the beginning, but the outlook and reception of the Green Buffalos was extremely positive.”We are hoping that within the next four to five weeks we can have 20 bikes on the road… and even extend to other areas like Paulshof and Woodmead,” Slabber said.

Details: For more information, contact sean@cgmarketing.co.za