Beyondly’s Fund for Change Helps WasteAid UK Empower Wastepreneurs Across Africa
WasteAid UK is a charity who work with low and middle income communities to implement waste management and recycling interventions. Alongside helping to tackle the waste crisis and other critical environmental issues, WasteAid UK’s work transforms livelihoods and provides opportunities for some of the poorest and most marginalised communities.
In 2024, Beyondly donated £6,250 to WasteAid UK, towards their ‘Trash the waste crisis!’ project. This was the second year Beyondly provided funding to WasteAid UK through their Fund for Change initiative, a commitment to donating 5% of their net profit to selected charities and community projects each year. By investing in meaningful causes, together we can create a better, fairer, sustainable world for all.
Beyondly’s funding has allowed WasteAid UK to expand their impact in South Africa, Uganda and The Gambia. Their 'Wastepreneur' project consists of training and mentorship that provides valuable education on waste types, recycling techniques, and business management skills, to empower and inspire young and unemployed individuals in the area.
One ‘Wastepreneur' living in Johannesburg described the training she received as part of this programme as a “game-changer” and expressed the importance developing her knowledge on how to handle hazardous waste correctly has had. She hopes to use the knowledge and skills she has developed through the 'Wastepreneur' programme to educate communities and grow her own business.
Demonstrating the contribution their vital work has in helping to reduce pollution, build a circular economy, and improve the health and wellbeing of some of the poorest communities, WasteAid UK’s ‘The First Step Resource Management Programme’ is another project growing in success.
After her family were forcibly removed from the dumpsite where they lived and reclaimed waste, an informal waste collector from Mpumalanga joined ‘The First Step Resource Management Programme’ with the aim to expand her knowledge and skills. This has enabled her to transform her informal waste collecting into a thriving formal business. Compared to the 600 kg of recyclable waste she was collecting each month, she has proudly collected a spectacular 7.5 tonnes in just two months, and has added three new waste streams to her operation. Her hard work is not only helping to tackle the waste crisis and improve public health in the local area, but has also led to a significant increase in her income, from £87 per month to nearly £440 per month.
Reflecting on her participation in the programme and aspirations of growing her business further, she praised the programme and the opportunities it has provided:
“This project has done a lot for me, I learned to collect different types of waste and to go to local businesses. We are now an officially registered business, so have the chance to apply for funding at the municipality. Maybe my wish can come true and I can open my buyback centre so that my business can grow and create more jobs for other people.”
Beyondly are delighted to support the life changing impact WasteAid UK have across the world. For more information about Beyondly’s Fund for Change, please visit Beyondly Fund for Change.
