Consistency results in growth
“Initially, I was doing this for survival but now I do it full-time and it has grown into a fully operational business.”
Recycling not only provides many families with a means of survival, but it also helps keep the environment clean.
Recyclers receive 100 per cent profit from collecting and selling recyclables.
Victory-Best Trading founder Donald Madzhia has been in the recycling industry for eight years. He started the business while he was studying for a degree in government administration and development at Unisa in 2012.
Madzhia was inspired by the idea of starting a business without any start-up budget and the high unemployment rate in our country.
He started as a level one recycler, collecting recyclables during the day and studying at night.
Victory-Best Trading collects plastics, aluminium, paper, subgrade steel and carton from consumers, industries, storage sites and other sources like events.
They alter the collected recyclables to increase the weight to volume ratio, then they sell them to a handler. His business has grown into a buy-back centre, situated at 8975 Sefolo Street, Industrial Park in Vosloorus Extension One, where he employees seven people.
“Initially, I was doing this for survival but now I do it full-time and it has grown into a fully operational business. I lost my parents when I was very young, so most of the time I had to hustle on my own, which gave me the drive to achieve more,” said Mdzhia.
He said the industry is growing partly because of the unemployment rate, as it is creating an economic revolution that is led by local entrepreneurs.
“I started using a small trolley to collect recyclables, aiming to reach certain kilos to satisfy my family’s basic needs.
“Once I realised I could reach small targets I bought weigh-to-buy recyclables, which converted the kilos into tonnes, meaning an increase in production. I then brought my wife and other employees into this sector,” he explained.
Before they knew it, they needed more space to operate the business because more recyclables meant more space required.
“I then bought a plastic and paper baling machine, now I supply converters with more tonnes and had leverage to negotiate my price.
“At first, I used to hire a truck to transport my resources, but as my profit increased I bought a bakkie and a trailer. We are now a fully operational buy-back centre,” he added.
When asked what could bring positive change in the industry, Madzhia explained there are a lot of things that need to be done.
“Firstly, the community needs to be educated about the importance of recycling. Secondly, there should be visible support for buy-back centres. Lastly, conditions to participate in the recycling business should be fair for everyone to grow.”
Objectives and mission
The company is committed to environmental improvement and the prevention of pollution. They work with customers, suppliers and the community to adopt procedures that reduce waste through innovative work and recycling practices.
They minimise environmental impact by reducing polluting substances produced and the impact of their operations on the community. They increase the use of environmentally acceptable materials, equipment and technology and ensure their suppliers follow acceptable environmental policies.
They also actively promote environmental awareness through campaigns among staff, clients, customers and the general public.
