Partnership Fuels Environmental and Social Transformation in Bellville

The Greater Tygerberg Partnership (GTP), and the EPR Waste Association of South Africa NPO (eWASA) have partnered in a groundbreaking partnership aimed at driving long-term environmental and social transformation in Bellville.

Together with the City of Cape Town, this collaborative initiative goes beyond waste collection, setting a powerful example of how joint efforts can uplift communities, enhance sustainability, and empower individuals toward economic independence.

Through this partnership, GTP and eWASA are committed to reducing landfill waste, improving recycling efforts, and supporting informal waste collectors in Bellville. By providing critical resources, training, and support, the collaboration enables waste pickers to work as self-sufficient entrepreneurs, bringing social upliftment and environmental stewardship together under one unified mission.

Warren Hewitt, CEO of GTP, highlighted the transformative impact of this partnership: “Our work with eWASA is about much more than waste; it’s about fostering a sustainable, inclusive ecosystem for Bellville. By investing in our community’s homeless individuals, we’re not only improving local recycling but also providing valuable job skills and dignified income opportunities. This partnership exemplifies how collaboration can drive lasting change and inspire community pride.”

The power of collaboration in action

The official launch event, held yesterday at Bellville’s Recycling and Buy-back Centre, brought together key partners, including GTP, eWASA, and the City of Cape Town, celebrating this forward-thinking collaboration and the promising path it lays for Bellville’s future.

Key speakers, including Hewitt along with Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, and Etienne Basson, National Project Manager at eWASA, who each addressed attendees, highlighting the partnerships commitment to reducing landfill waste by bolstering recycling efforts and streamlining waste management, fostering community well-being, and empowering homeless individuals to become financially independent.

GTP leads project implementation, handling logistics and operations, while the City of Cape Town provides essential infrastructure for waste collection. eWASA’s financial investment of R600,000 fuels the programme, offering income subsidies based on participants’ recycling contributions. Together, these efforts create an empowering environment for waste pickers, who receive training, resources, and the tools they need to improve Bellville’s environmental footprint while gaining stable incomes and entrepreneurial skills.

“The initiative between the GTP, who the City proudly supports, and eWASA exemplifies the value of forging collaboration. Not only will this project critically reduce the impact on landfills, but it will also empower members of the community with necessary skills,” said Alderman Vos.

Beyond direct impact on waste collectors, this initiative also engages Bellville residents, businesses, and schools, fostering awareness and responsible waste practices throughout the community. The initiative will have the use of a MellowVan for twelve months, beginning on 15 January 2025. The vehicle will be utilised to collect recyclables from businesses and schools.

Etienne Basson, National Project Manager at eWASA, shared the organisation’s long-term vision: “Supporting waste reduction alongside socio-economic upliftment is central to eWASA’s mission. Our partnership with GTP demonstrates that sustainable community development can only thrive when we invest in both environmental initiatives and individual well-being.”

This partnership marks the beginning of a long-term commitment to environmental improvement and social development in Bellville. Future plans include expanding recycling capacity, creating more jobs, and integrating sustainable practices such as localised composting. These steps align with the shared goal of building a cleaner, greener Bellville and positioning the area as a model for sustainable urban development.