Empty beer and soft drinks cans, plastic bottles and the “national flower”, plastic carrier bags, can be used in job creation and sustainable environmental development, says the WRAP. 

The Waste and Resource Action Program (WRAP), a non-governmental organization established in 2002 to promote the potential of recycled waste, is currently engaged in a campaign to raise awareness about opportunities around recyclable materials.

The Programme's spokesperson, Mr. Motho Raphoka, said the campaign will involve the collection of all recyclable waste in the country, not only to make Lesotho a cleaner and better place to live in but also as a vehicle for poverty reduction and sustainable development.

 WRAP studies show that there are more than 230 recycling companies in South Africa and that Lesotho can copy the same for both profit and job creation.

So far six district member societies (DMS) have been established in Maseru and are already working on collecting recyclable waste such as scrap metal; used beverage cans; used paper and plastic; used vehicle oil and others, to generate income.

The aim is for the programme to have covered the whole country by the end of the year and that by next year, 20 DMSs should be fully running in each of the 10 districts, Raphoka said.

14 July 2005