South Africa is facing a growing waste crisis. From overflowing landfills to rising e-waste, the environmental and social costs are becoming harder to ignore. But what if the solution to two of our biggest challenges—waste and unemployment—could actually be one and the same?
At ORT SA, we believe it can.
This Mandela Day, we partnered with Pikitup, Johannesburg’s official waste management service, to explore the connection between environmental responsibility and skills development. What we found was clear: waste isn’t just a problem—it’s a powerful opportunity.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞
Every year, South Africa generates millions of tons of waste—much of it ending up in landfills or illegally dumped in informal settlements. E-waste, in particular, is rising fast, often handled unsafely, causing pollution and health risks.
But the problem isn’t just environmental. Unmanaged waste worsens inequality, especially in under-resourced communities. The cost is paid in both health and lost economic potential.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝟔𝐑𝐬: 𝐀 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭
During our Mandela Day session, Pikitup introduced the 6Rs:
• Rethink
• Reduce
• Reuse
• Repair
• Recycle
• Respect
These are practical framework for change. Teaching youth to apply the 6Rs doesn’t only shift environmental habits. It opens doors for new ways to earn a living—through recycling businesses, repair workshops, and upcycled product design.
𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐉𝐨𝐛𝐬
At ORT SA, our goal is not only to educate but to equip. We teach learners how to take waste and transform it into real-world opportunities:
• A discarded computer becomes a refurbished product
• Old clothing becomes a fashion item
• Broken devices become spare parts or raw materials for new projects
These are not future ideas—they’re skills learners are building now. With proper training and support, waste becomes a resource, not a burden.
𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞
South African companies are under growing pressure to meet Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) targets. Partnering with organisations like ORT SA provides a meaningful way to meet these goals through skills development, job creation, and sustainability.
Your business can get involved through:
• Sponsoring skills training programmes
• Employee volunteering
• Joint sustainability campaigns
Let’s turn corporate social responsibility into lasting impact.
𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐚 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝
“It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it.” – Nelson Mandela
We’re calling on corporate South Africa to join us.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐃𝐨 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤?
💬 What’s one thing your company or community is doing—or could be doing—to turn waste into opportunity?
We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below—and may feature your idea in a future post.
📩 Interested in partnering with ORT SA? Email helene@ortsa.org.za to get in touch
