The circular economy has created boundless opportunities for many South Africans who were at once down on their luck!

South Africa (16 October 2024) — The circular economy is a pretty hot topic in today’s terms. Not only is it one of our biggest assets in the fight to curb environmental damage caused by traditional capitalist waste, it’s also something that’s created an entirely new revenue stream for many previously disadvantaged communities; making it a win-win for socio-ecological upliftment!

What is the Circular Economy?

In a nutshell, the circular economy refers to cleverly reusing and regenerating products and materials, often in new ways, preventing items that otherwise would have ended up in landfills from getting there. These refurbished or upcycled products can then be sold to help people put food on the table and range across waste sectors—from the fashion industry’s waste to eWaste.

Upcycling-focused businesses like Bin to Beauty (who turn waste from wrappers and packets into accessories), organisations like Shoose Life, who create school shoes for students in need from waste materials and communities like Re.Bag.Re.Use who turn what were once plastic bags into fashion are fantastic examples of local upcycling legends.

Uplifting South Africans Through the Circular Economy

In addition to the above, there’s Taking Care of Business; an ever-growing social enterprise that shows us how much is possible when you put people and the planet first.

While they primarily work in fashion-focused fields, repairing and refurbishing electronic items is also a big part of their circular economy.

TCB works by empowering struggling South Africans (many of whom are unemployed mothers) to become their own bosses by facilitating not just technical skills but business and life skills.

They largely use donated retail waste items as stock for their different programmes—Resell, Repair and Remake. Participants are then trained as part of a two-year programme and thereafter, are equipped to start their own businesses!

TCB’s work is a testament to how the circular economy has uplifted struggling South Africans. Looking at figures from the past financial year, the overall picture starts to look a lot like hope:

• 2,276,542 ‘waste’ items were donated to TCB programmes
• 905 unemployed people were recruited into these programmes
• 1188 participants are active in the two-year programmes
• 986 programme graduates still access and sell the stock
• R71,8million is the estimated profits made by participants and graduates
• 86,3 tons of e-waste has been received

eWaste

Just yesterday, National eWaste Day was acknowledged—a time when eco-savvy communities reflect on the fact that more needs to be done to tackle the stream of waste that stems from our electronic devices.

eWaste is a pretty tough nut in the bigger barrel of environmental problems. Unlike fashion, the skills to repair electronic devices can be much harder to access.

But, TCB has created a model that works through its Repair Programme.

“In this programme, participants (mostly men) are taught how to repair damaged appliances for resale. They also resell cell phones and other mechanical items that would have been thrown away. His year, TCB’s Repair programme has already processed 104 tons of potential eWaste. The majority of these items have been repaired and repurposed, preventing them from ending up in landfill. A victory for eWaste management!” Shares co-founder Tracey Gilmore.

 “TCB is actively adding value by reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and repurposing supply chain waste. What we absolutely can’t use, is recycled. It is a mutually beneficial situation since waste is being turned into economic value while reducing the burden on scarce natural resources. TCB collects, debrands and redistributes this excess merchandise and retail waste without additional costs to the supply partner. These donated items have a social impact by supporting unemployed South Africans on their journey to self-employment and social and financial independence. It’s a win-win,” she says.

To keep the programme going strong, businesses and even individuals are urged to make donations of ‘stock’ to TCB. From appliances that just don’t work like they used to or old clothes that need new life, everything has a place in their ecosystem.

You can find out more about donationshere.

Sources: Supplied 

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South African artists are turning electronic waste into art to evoke sustainable reactions and awareness about Ewaste in the most creative ways!

South Africa (23 July 2023) — If you’ve ever wondered where elder electronics or devices that just don’t work like they used to before go, you might get a fright. Dubbed eWaste, millions of these devices end up getting disposed of in the wrong way year after year, and the result is pretty messy. However, artists aren’t sitting this fight out. And in South Africa, they’ve come up with a plan to make eWaste something beautiful.

The You Made This Initiative is promoting the proper sustainable send-off for electronics through art collaborations like the ‘Drowning Planet’ exhibition and other team-ups.

Through their efforts, they’re encouraging a circular economy of refurbished electronics and spotlighting talented artists who specialise in transforming e-waste into awe-inspiring installations.

Who are YMT?

YMT was inspired by the growing impact of electronic waste on our environment and the lack of knowledge that exists when it comes to disposable items. The lack of recycling weighs heavily on the global electronic industry and as devices become more numerous, smaller, and more complex, the issues get bigger.

But, making noise through art has led to remarkable pieces that showcase the beauty and transformative power of recycling. These installations aren’t just visually captivating, they also remind people that throwaway culture won’t cut it.

By giving a second life to discarded electronic components as a new medium, these artworks challenge our perception of waste and encourage us to reconsider consumption patterns.

For Founding Director of YMT, Dominic Humphry, the eWaste community and collaborations are profoundly impactful for artists too.

“The integration of eWaste into their artistic practice helps to deepen their understanding of environmental sustainability. By repurposing eWaste, artists contribute to a circular economy, creating art that serves as a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility towards responsible consumption and waste management.”—Dominic Humphry.

EWaste Gets a New Chapter through Art

Some of the notable art installations, created by Francois Knoetze and David Braithwaite, are constructed entirely from salvaged circuit boards and electronic components.

Other pieces include, a sculpture made from discarded computer monitors, keyboards, and other eWaste materials, as well as a large-scale interactive art installation constructed from recycled cables, wires, and other electronic components.

“Art and eWaste hold tremendous significance in our world today. Art has the power to transcend barriers, evoke emotions, and spark dialogue. By using eWaste as a medium for artistic expression, we not only draw attention to the global crisis of electronic waste but also highlight the transformative potential of recycling and responsible consumption. Through art, we inspire individuals to rethink their relationship with waste, ignite conversations about sustainability, and ultimately pave the way for a more environmentally conscious future.”— Dr Paul Bayliss Senior Specialist, Absa Art and Museum Curator.

Sources: Supplied

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Transforming eWaste into Art: Redefining Waste Through Creativity! appeared first on Good Things Guy.