GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Nearing the end of last year, local Kim Imrie, a stalwart in the local business community, was invited to visit the JBay Recycling Project (JBRP) in Jeffreys Bay.
Having always had a passion for recycling and the eradication of poverty, and encouraging others to do so, she was very eager to visit the site, and to learn more about this successful recycling endeavour.
The Jbay Recycling Project, a Non-Profit community programme situated in Pellsrus, Jeffreys Bay, was established in January 2011 and assists school-aged children to provide for their basic needs by exchanging recyclable materials like glass, paper, plastic and metal for items like toiletries, food, stationery, school uniforms, clothes and toys in a ‘swop shop’.
Aptly called ‘turning trash into treasure’, over 6 000 children have participated and more than 570 tonnes of recyclable material has been collected since the project’s inception.
The project is operated from a community centre in Sarah Baartman Avenue, Pellsrus and serves children of Jeffreys Bay aged between 5 and 16 years.
The best part is that all children are welcome and they get to choose their own goods.
This unique community programme teaches children a number of essential values about the worth of recyclable goods, trading, independence and self-worth.
All items in the shop are donated or purchased from profits made by selling the recycled goods and the JBRP is run by volunteers from the community.
“To describe it in my own words, the Jbay Recycling Project runs a store where local kids can bring in recyclables collected from all around, and in return, they receive tokens to spend at the store. While Mom and Dad can give lists of staples needed, fundamentally the tokens belong to the kids and it is theirs to spend. Only kids are allowed in the store. Isn’t that great?” says Imrie.
“The project has been running for 8 years and on average 320 children collect 2.8 tonnes of recyclables from the streets of Jeffreys Bay each week. Isn’t that an absolutely astonishing amount!?”
Since visiting the project site, Imrie has been so taken with the idea, that she hopes to establish a similar initiative locally.
"Ever since coming to Graaff-Reinet, I have wrestled with what can be done to create industry and jobs. Having seen the Jeffreys Bay 'swop shop' in action, I was left with such a positive impression about the good work that it does," says Imrie.
"The swop shop concept trains children from a young age to work for their Mula points. They receive love, toys, food, clothes and positive reinforcement in return for their hard work. They can plan for their purchases and calculate how many recyclables they need to bring to earn so many points. It is heart-warming to witness!"
Since the start of the year, Imrie has already reached out to the local recycling facility situated in Graaff-Reinet’s industrial area for guidance, enlisted the help of leaders within the various communities in Graaff-Reinet and called for donations to stock a ‘swop shop’.
While there are still much to do to realise the project locally, Imrie hopes that residents will be inspired to assist with the project, by either helping with donations, doing some leg work, sharing ideas or coming to the table as a volunteer.
For more information about the project in Jeffreys Bay, visit their website www.jbayrecyclingproject.org.
Those interested in becoming involved locally can contact Imrie at 084 468 0027.
"If you’re passing through Jeffreys Bay, why not stop and check out the great work they do. Come on Graaff Reinet let’s not get left behind!" Imrie concluded.
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