The project is necessitated by its economic viability and the need to have operational projects that can be used as communities of practice for the learnership/skills programmes being implemented by SAYM. The project will be replicated in several sites.

1. Goat Breeding

• Flock/Herd size = 50 
• Annual Breeding Target = herd (150 does + 4 bucks/rams) 
• Annual Sales Target = 150 (mixed)

SAYM-Green Unit is working on modalities to integrate this project in other on-going projects. There is a R500,000 funding being pursed from a development partner which expressed interest to support. 

1. Vermi-Composting

• The process evolves around earthworm digestion of biomass waste and aerobic decomposition using the activities of micro- and macroorganisms at controled temperature to produce organic soil enhancers.
• The project has been piloted and laboratory results for nutrient values obtained:  (NPK values)

• Small scale bio-digesters
• Industrial scale bio-digesters
• Pyrolysis

Thaba Nchu plastic waste recovery initiative

The initiative focused on recovery of plastic waste source. The activity was allocated
285 participants to who were working in 8 sites. The participants received a training
on source separation of waste and foundational knowledge on recycling. Each
participant was allocated 40households to raise awareness on source separation
and implement it, with set target of 1kilogram of plastic waste per workday. The main
purpose of the activity is to reduce the amount of illegal waste dumping hotspots in
the communities and promoting the emergency of a local recycling industry that will in turn produce green jobs for the local people. The activity was implemented under
the Non-State Sector Expanded Public Work Programme (EPWP).

Objectives
 To divert the plastic waste generated by 8000 households in Thaba Nchu
region.
 To establish a sustainable recycling initiative for the local people.
 To create work opportunities for the non-State Sector EPWP project
 To contribute to environmental protection and cleanliness

Sustainability and Impact
Like every other project implemented by the Green Unit, the initiatives is subjected to
the PPP sustainability test. Below are the sustainability and impacts recorded
through initiative:
Environmental (Profit)
 5 Tonnes of Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic was recovered and send
for recycling which translate into over 5 Tonnes of Carbon Emissions reduced.
 Reducing illegal dumping of plastic bottles on illegal dumping hot spots.
 Reduction in landfill bound waste, saving the landfill space.
Social (People)
 70% of the people participants were women and being majority youth.

 Source separation of waste reduces the amount useful materials that goes to landfills and illegal dumping hot spots there by reducing the trend of children who are going into these places to collect recyclables.
 Participants were registered for the COID during period of the contract.
Economic (Profit)
 Each participant had a monthly stipend of R2,200.
 Participants were registered on the UIF
 The plastic bottles (waste) recovered contributed R17,500 to the local
recycling industry and estimated R40,000 for the upstream recycling industry.

Recycling reduces the need to grow, harvest or extract new raw materials from the Earth. That in turn lessens the harmful biodiversity disruption and damage. It is reported that only 10% 0f waste produced in South Africa end up at over 900 dumpsites in the country, and the dumpsites are also reported to be running out space (Godfrey et al. 2017). 

The Green Unit is taking advantage of the projects being implemented by the other units e.g CWP and EPWP by integrating environmental sustainability in the activities being implemented. SAYM is working with regional partners to establish a recycling plant which will be an aggregator for action partners in 4 SADC countries. 

Plastic waste recovery implemented: 

• EPWP waste element – Eastern Cape
• EPWP waste element – Free State 
• Total waste recovered: 10 t in 1month 
• Work opportunities created: 400

We Are The Condition of Hustle (WATCH)

The project seeks to transform the conditions of work for the waste pickers through:

• Profiling of waste pickers 
•  Provision of psychosocial support programs at a drug rehabilitation centre for drugs users 
• Accredited skills program
• Infrastructure support program

• A regional platform to discuss waste,energy and green jobs.

• Over 14 countries participate every year
•  Resolutions are taken to COP meetings 
• The conference is an annual event