A boost for the Western Cape’s recycling collections

A massive baling machine that compacts and readies materials for recycling is set to double the collection capacity of one of the Western Cape’s leading waste management businesses and, in turn, provide additional income for hundreds of informal waste pickers in the region.

In April, CL Trading marked three decades in recycling and waste management with the unveiling of its new R3-million imported Enerpat horizontal baler at its Parow site.

According to managing director Shaun Styger, the high-volume baler – one of only a handful nationwide – is set to help the business double its processing of recyclables, which currently stands at about 3 500 tonnes per month.

This, he says, will divert more waste from landfill and has the potential to create additional income streams for hundreds of waste pickers in the region who sell the recyclable materials they collect to CL Trading.

The high-volume machinery was imported and commissioned thanks to financial assistance from South Africa’s longest standing producer responsibility organisation, Petco. The organisation’s support of CL Trading began in 2023, when it won the Petco Award for the Best Community Recycling Initiative.

“From early support such as branded collection trailers to more recent operational support, this partnership has helped us improve how we manage, track and scale recyclable material. It has ultimately allowed us to operate more efficiently and strengthen our position within the recycling value chain,” says Styger.

He explains that while standard industry balers processed up to 750 tonnes of recyclable materials per month, the new Enerpat horizontal baler could process up to 2 500 tonnes per month.

“We’re still learning and configuring the new baler and conveyor system,” he says. “But with it, we’re looking to double our processing volume in the coming months.” This would allow CL Trading to increase the volume of recyclable materials it brings from small collection businesses and waste pickers in the region.

Styger says the industry standard for baling speed is around 25 minutes, whereas the new machine has already allowed them to bale roughly a tonne of material in just over three minutes.

“The higher density of the bale allows us to get more payload onto our trucks and containers, making us more efficient in terms of logistics, and enabling us to pass some of the cost savings in terms of the processing fee on to our suppliers.”

Thanking Petco for its assistance, he says: “The high-volume machinery was imported and commissioned through a significant capital investment by CL Trading, complemented by financial assistance from Petco, which contributed a portion of the overall funding.”

With collection depots in Stellenbosch, Strand and Parow, the business employs more than 200 staff and has a fleet of over 50 collection vehicles.

Styger adds that, on peak days, more than 700 waste pickers bring recyclables to CL Trading’s Stellenbosch depot alone.

James Mpondo of Thasompo Recycling reiterates the role CL Trading has played in growing his small collection business: “CL Trading has taken me from zero to hero. They see if you need something, they help you and pick you up. This company has supported me, even with equipment, like a trailer.

“I’m staying in Khayelitsha – it was so terrible. I heard someone say Khayelitsha is now clean. It’s clean because of me – and CL Trading!” he says with a smile.

Petco CEO Telly Chauke adds that the organisation is rigorous in selecting key partners to support in order to strengthen the collection and recycling value chain and keep it working.

“Investing in infrastructure support for SMMEs like CL Trading is one of our strategic focus areas because we believe that giving the right tools to the right people will help them build a solid operational foundation, and grow South Africa’s circular economy for the benefit of all.

“This day is testament to how partnerships really work to unlock not only collections but also more opportunities for waste pickers, as well as the opportunity to get a consistent supply of good quality recyclable material to the gate of the recycler,” says Chauke. “It’s about leveraging CL Trading’s capital investment to create environmental, economic and social justice.”

Department of Forestry, Fisheries & the Environment official Tshepiso Seabelo says the unveiling of the new baler marks another milestone toward empowering waste entrepreneurs and strengthening the circular value chain.

“The impact of collaborations such as this is very important because it advances the circular economy.”