FOLLOWING the recent success of a programme in East London, Shoprite and Packa-Ching have launched a second mobile buy-back centre in the Eastern Cape.
With a unique, entrepreneur-focused approach, the Packa-Ching unit consists of a truck and trailer, which means it can visit multiple communities throughout Gqeberha on a regular basis.
Residents bring their recyclables on collection day, the material is weighed and the monetary value thereof is then loaded into the user’s e-wallet. Community members can spend their money at any Shoprite, Usave or Checkers supermarket.
The innovative programme is also creating employment opportunities for the country’s youth: the Gqeberha unit’s five employees form part of the Shoprite Group’s participation in the YES initiative.
The six Packa-Ching units, supported by Polyco and Shoprite, are located in Buffalo City, Cape Town, Thabazimbi, Katlehong, Mpilenhle, and now Gqeberha.
“We’ve already seen the positive impact of this programme on local communities – both for those generating an income from recyclables, and for those employed by it. We’re confident that this new unit in Gqeberha will increase our reach and impact even further by promoting recycling and removing waste from our communities,” said Sanjeev Raghubir, the Shoprite Group’s sustainability manager.
