Waste ED Foundation (NPC)

Waste-ED NPC is the non-profit heart of our hybrid model—dedicated to building a world where waste education becomes a tool for empowerment, opportunity, and lasting change.

Through community-driven programmes, zero-waste schools, circular economy education, and grassroots partnerships, we work to reshape how people understand and interact with waste.

Our mission is rooted in the belief that sustainable systems start with informed, engaged communities. From informal trade hubs to classrooms and community centres, we collaborate with people on the ground to co-create solutions that are accessible, culturally relevant, and deeply impactful.

Together, we’re growing a movement that sees waste not as a problem—but as a pathway to environmental justice, social upliftment, and a thriving circular future.

NON PROFIT PROGRAMMES

1. Green Economy Programmes

Empowering entrepreneurs to build thriving, circular businesses.

Our Green Economy Programme supports waste-focused entrepreneurs—both waste producers and waste users—to build sustainable livelihoods through training, infrastructure support, and funding. By nurturing innovation within the waste sector, we drive job creation, local enterprise, and environmental change.

We provide business training, green entrepreneurship education, and seed grants (R50–100K) to help entrepreneurs launch and grow circular economy ventures. From upcycling and composting to collection and processing, we’re investing in the green leaders of tomorrow.

2. Waste to Resource Programmes

Transforming waste into opportunity through education, infrastructure, and innovation.

Our Waste-to-Resource Programmes support schools, communities, and institutions to turn waste streams into sustainable resources. By combining hands-on education, infrastructure development, and local policy alignment, we help build closed-loop systems that reflect circular economy valuesfor beneficiaries in under-resourced areas who need tailored support to thrive.

Through co-designed infrastructure, resource management tools, and community engagement, we empower people to reduce, recover, and repurpose waste—shifting behaviour and building resilience from the ground up.

Our approach integrates education, infrastructure, and impact tracking to create models that are replicable, inclusive, and deeply rooted in place.

3. Education & Awareness

Turning information into action for a waste-wise society.

This programme spreads accessible, inclusive waste education across schools, communities, and workplaces. Through engaging campaigns, workshops, toolkits, and digital tools, we help people understand the value of waste and how to manage it better.

Whether we’re running a composting workshop, designing signage for a school, or creating a digital waste tracker, we’re breaking down barriers and building habits that lead to long-term environmental stewardship.

Our work is grounded in behaviour change, practical skills, and community engagement.

4. Capacity Building

Strengthening systems and shifting structures.

To create long-term change, we build capacity and advocate for policies that support zero waste and circular economy systems. We train local leaders, government officials, and educators through certifications, “train-the-trainer” programmes, and policy support.

We work with municipalities and national stakeholders to co-develop progressive waste legislation and ensure under-resourced communities have the tools to participate in sustainable economies.

Our goal is to embed resilience, equity, and innovation into waste systems at every level.

5. Parterships & Co-Funded Projects

Collaboration is at the heart of systemic change.

We work hand-in-hand with funders, NGOs, corporates, and government entities to co-design impactful, shared-value waste projects. Through matched funding, public-private partnerships, and innovation hubs, we unlock resources and scale solutions.

By aligning stakeholder priorities with community needs, we ensure every project is inclusive, replicable, and built for long-term impact.

We report transparently on outcomes and believe collaboration is key to real circular transformation.