When Nokuthula Tshabalala looked at the waste accumulating in landfills around Soweto, she saw more than a growing environmental problem. She also saw an opportunity at a time when people in her community were struggling to find ways to make a living.
The idea became personal when Tshabalala saw her own family struggling financially. She recalls a moment when her son hesitated to ask for something because he knew money was tight. That experience strengthened her determination to find a way to provide for her family while creating something that could benefit others.
With little more than determination, Tshabalala and her family began collecting recyclable materials by hand. They used their own money to collect and sort plastics, paper and cans before selling them to buy-back centres.
The work was difficult, but the impact began to grow.
Today, Trash2Treasure Recycling and Waste Management employs 12 people, creating income and employment opportunities through the collection and sorting of waste. What started as a way for one family to survive has developed into a source of livelihoods for others.
For Tshabalala, the greatest achievement is not simply the growth of the business. It is seeing people who once struggled to find work gain an income, a sense of purpose and the confidence to contribute to their communities.
Some employees joined the business with little hope of finding steady employment. Through recycling, they have not only gained an income but have also become environmental ambassadors in their communities.
The impact extends beyond employment.
Trash2Treasure has also used environmental education to help young people understand that they can play a role in protecting the places where they live. Its programmes include work with schools, including schools for deaf learners, helping children understand recycling and environmental responsibility.
One of Tshabalala’s proudest achievements was being entrusted by Fibre Circle to lead a six-month project visiting deaf schools across South Africa. The initiative allowed learners to learn about recycling and environmental protection while reinforcing an important message: everyone has a role to play in caring for the planet.
For Tshabalala, seeing the excitement of deaf learners as they recognised their ability to contribute to environmental protection was a powerful reminder of why the work matters.
The story of Trash2Treasure is therefore not only about recycling. It is about what can happen when environmental action is connected to economic opportunity and community empowerment.
Every bag of recyclable material collected represents more than waste diverted from a landfill. It can contribute to someone’s income, support a household and create an opportunity for someone who may otherwise struggle to find work.
Tshabalala’s vision is to take that impact further. She wants to expand Trash2Treasure, create more jobs and extend its recycling and environmental education programmes, particularly in marginalised communities.
Her journey shows that meaningful change can begin with very little. A handful of recyclable materials, a family willing to work together and a determination to solve a problem have grown into a business that is creating livelihoods and helping communities see waste differently.
In Tshabalala’s hands, waste has become more than something to throw away. It has become a pathway to opportunity, dignity and a more sustainable future.
Editor’s Note
This story highlights how one woman’s decision to address a community challenge has grown into a business that creates jobs, promotes environmental responsibility, and opens opportunities for others.
Description
Nokuthula Tshabalala turned a community challenge into an opportunity. Through Trash2Treasure Recycling and Waste Management, her journey from collecting recyclable waste by hand has grown into a business that employs 12 people and promotes environmental education in communities and schools.
