Sponsorship of 50 informal reclaimers in Gauteng
Hippo.co.za partners with Urban Surfer to sponsor & support fifty informal reclaimers in Johannesburg northern suburbs.
- All reclaimers were supplied with equipment, clothing, PPE & training. Supplied equipment is monitored & tracked through installed GPS trackers on the trolleys. Equipment is maintained to good as new and replacement of collection bags, wheels & PPE are carried out as required.
- Project reporting is through our on-line reporting application which is updated daily. Reporting on project status, equipment maintenance, daily coverage maps, media & reclaimer news.
- In the eighteen months since the project inception the reclaimers have covered over 50,000km collecting recyclable waste. They have collected and sold over 1,000 tons of plastic and paper waste with a combined value of over R5 million to the reclaimers.
Project launch 4 November 2021 InnesFree Park, Sandton, Johannesburg.
Attended by Palesa Mathibeli Director of waste management at Gauteng Rural & Agricultural Development, Mvuselelo Mathebula Head waste policy & regulation City of Joburg. Media generated through the launch was viewed by of 7.5 million veiwers with a media value of over R600,000.00. In the twleve months since inception there has been media coverage on the sponsored reclaimers in over twenty five publictions, six radio inteviews and many social media platforms.
50 Supported reclaimers
Project official launch
Supported woman reclaimers
Project Activities
Promoting informal reclaimer support through community upliftment initiatives helps transform relationships between reclaimers and communities to create a cleaner, safer and more socially integrated community.
World Clean Up Day September 2022
Nicarela Charity Events 2022, 2023
1.5 Degrees, Net Zero Conference & Exhibition 2023
Hippo Street Initiative March 2023
Foot note: One supported reclaimer Kagiso Monaise, has managed to start his own Buy-Back Centre which buys from and supports the other reclaimers. All reclaimers have reported that having the right collecting equipment and clothing has made an extreme difference in their lives, as they are now more accepted by the community which gives them greater access to recyclables. They have also noted a feeling of dignity and belonging
