On February 5, 2025, GCBR’s Friends of the Biosphere team was invited for an on-site tour of the Henque Waste and Recycling facility in Mossel Bay, one of our young interns joined us as he is very interested to learn more about recycling
The remarkable Henque team has been operating since 2000, developing an innovative and highly effective waste management and recycling system. Their efforts cover a wide range of materials, including plastics, glass, tins, certain metals, paper, cardboard, and now even polystyrene. Beyond their environmental impact, Henque Waste is also a catalyst for job creation, offering opportunities for local entrepreneurship and sustainable employment.
The Reality of Recycling
Upon arriving at the facility, we were met with mountains of blue recycling bags—a stark reminder of the waste generated during the festive season. The team at Henque Waste works tirelessly to process these materials, ensuring they are properly sorted and recycled.
Empowering People Through Recycling
Henque Waste has created a system where sorters work independently and are paid per kilogram of waste they process. This initiative has resulted in over 150 people being directly employed, with an additional average of 125 individuals working as independent contractors, determining their own income. By offering these opportunities, Henque Waste not only promotes environmental awareness but also encourages community involvement in sustainable waste management.
A major part of their operation is their buy-back centre in George, where around 700 people come daily to sell their recyclables. These centres create sustainable income opportunities for the unemployed. From individuals with trolleys to businesses with large trucks, everyone can participate in the recycling movement and generate income.
Impressive Recycling Impact
The numbers speak for themselves. Henque Waste has significantly contributed to waste reduction in several key areas:
- Hessequa – 137 tons per month
- Mossel Bay – Between 480 and 580 tons per month, surpassing initial expectations for the area
- George – 700 tons per month, with an ambitious goal of reaching 2,000 tons by the end of 2025!
Services Offered by Henque Waste
Henque Waste provides a comprehensive range of services, including:
- Recycling and Waste Management
- Collection and Safe Disposal of Confidential Documents
- Waste Removal and Skip Hire
- Buy-Back Centres – Providing opportunities for unemployed individuals to create a steady income through recycling.
- Municipal Two-Bag System
- Recycling Awareness Programs
Since introducing curbside collection, there has been a significant increase in community participation, with residents in Hessequa, Mossel Bay, and George actively filling their recycling bags.
A Call to Action
With Henque Waste implementing these efficient systems and making recycling more accessible, the responsibility now lies with us as residents, households, and businesses to participate. The process is simple—they even provide the bags. All we need to do is fill them and place them curbside for collection.
There are a number of guidelines, some of which are indicated below, that can help you know what goes into the bag. But as the Henque team says, “When in doubt, put it in the recycling—we’ll sort it out.”
Locations
Henque Waste has branches in:
- Riversdale
- George
- Mossel Bay
For more information, visit their website: Henque Waste
