Growing South Africa's glass collection network requires meeting the people who are already driving collection on the ground, while creating opportunities for more people to participate. This is where The Glass Recycling Company (TGRC) says it is taking its focus from September to December, as it builds on its ongoing work to strengthen and grow glass collection across the country.

Through a series of community activations and Town Hall Sessions across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Limpopo and Free State, TGRC says it will engage directly with existing and potential glass collectors, buy-back centres and communities, with a focus on promoting growth and increasing participation in the glass recycling value chain.

At the heart of the programme is an ongoing drive to expand and strengthen the network of collectors and buy-back centres that play a critical role in getting more bottles and jars collected and into the recycling system, says the NPO.

"Glass recycling starts with collection, and we have seen the important role that collectors and buy-back centres continue to play in getting more glass into the recycling system," says Shabeer Jhetam, CEO of TGRC. "Our focus now is on building further, strengthening this network and creating more opportunities for people to participate. There is an opportunity to grow glass collections while creating more opportunities for people to earn an income through recycling."

The community activations will aim to give TGRC an opportunity to meet existing and potential collectors, buy-back centre entrepreneurs and residents directly, while building awareness of the role they can play and how they can become part of the growing glass recycling network, says the NPO.

For collectors, the programme will aim to reinforce the role they already play in recovering valuable glass packaging from households, businesses, taverns, restaurants and other collection points. For buy-back centres, the focus will be on reinforcing and growing the network of collection and recovery points that support the movement of glass into recycling, adds the NPO.

"This is about building on what is already happening," says Jhetam. "There are more than 50 000 people already collecting glass every day, and we want to see that network continue to grow. There are also businesses supporting collection and communities where more glass can be recovered. Our role is to strengthen those connections and help create more opportunities for people to become part of the value chain."

The accompanying Town Hall Sessions will aim to provide a platform for open discussion between TGRC, communities, collectors and buy-back centres and industry stakeholders. Participants will have the opportunity to raise questions, share their experiences and gain a better understanding of the opportunities and practical considerations associated with participating in the glass recycling value chain, says the NPO.

Collectors, buy-back centre operators and businesses interested in becoming part of the glass recycling network are encouraged to connect with TGRC and find out more about how they can participate. More information on the programme, including activation dates and locations, will be shared through TGRC's communication channels, concludes the NPO.

For more information, visit www.theglassrecyclingcompany.co.za. You can also follow TGRC on Facebook, LinkedIn, or on X.

*Image courtesy of contributor