Congratulations on your initiative and your commitment to recycling and community upliftment. You have taken the first of many important steps in getting started with a recycling business. As with any new company or business venture the first step is to gather information about the opportunity before you and in this industry this can often only be achieved by getting stuck into the process of collection and understanding “what is out there”? At this stage it is virtually impossible to support a new business as we have no idea where you are, what infrastructure is in the area, the current status of waste management in the area, what resources you have, what you intend to collect, where the markets are, etc. There is information available to assist you to get going like the attached information booklet, but also information on websites such as www.recycling.co.za and www.use-it.co.za Once you have been active for 8 to 12 months you will have a better idea of what can be collected in your area and what markets there are for the product. You need to determine this yourself as one can only help those that help themselves first. When you have a better idea of current and potential volumes of recyclables then we can collectively determine what your needs are in terms of infrastructure, resources, equipment and access to markets. At that point then we can determine whether you need assistance with PET, cans, PE &PP, PS, glass or cardboard. Then we can put you in touch with the industry association that support the collection of these materials. Keep accurate records of what you are collecting and selling, your cash-flow, salaries, costs, etc as these can then be built into a cash-flow forecast to assist in understanding and motivating for the financial needs of your organisation. If you show determination and commitment over a period of time that shows growth and potential for investment then you will never look back.
Obviously we cannot support everyone who is starting up, or thinking about starting up, as our own time and resources are limited, and we have no idea what your real needs are. That is why we – and just about any other private or government organisation – will gladly assist you once you have shown the initiative and commitment and prove that you can recycle. The information sources on the websites provided will give you more than enough information to get started, then keep in touch as you achieve new targets and ask for advice when needed. Once you show us what you can achieve on a small-scale, then we will do whatever possible in our means to then assist you through to creating a successful and profitable company in the recycling sector.
