The Eco Trading Store (ETS) is an initiative by The Wot-If? Trust. It is a container shop at the Father Louis Blondel Centre in Diepsloot, where The Wot-If? Trust is based. It is a shop where participants, both adults and children, can trade eco-bricks made of single-use plastic for food and toiletry items, clothing, toys and household items.
The initiative started as a boot sale with their Roots and Shoots group which happened every Friday. The group ran a programme where kids from the community were taught the importance of respecting people, animals and the environment. They would bring in waste for recycling and as a reward they would be able to “buy” toys and stationery from the boot sale. The success of the project led them to launch ETS which includes adult participants.
ETS was officially launched on Mandela Day 2019 and received funding from Ericsson to for the building of the container shop. The Trust has also previously featured on Fokus.
One of the Trust’s proudest achievements is the impact of the project on the environment. Over the last 2 years, they have collected 335 kg of single-use plastic and 2476 kg of wet waste, which otherwise would have ended up on the streets of Diepsloot and in landfills and waterways. The impact on the small are they operate on has been pretty big.
With this programme, the Trust has given children opportunity, choice and have empowered them. They have reduced their dependence on hand-outs and maintained their dignity as they are doing something to get something.
The Trust would like to request donations from the public as by donating to the Eco Trading Store, you can bring joy to someone’s life and simultaneously help keep plastic out of landfills.
“Gently used items are appreciated but there is a bigger need for toiletries, non-perishable food and warm clothing. If you have items to donate, please send us a direct message on Facebook or Twitter and we will let you know where you can drop off,” Ms LaylaaW , Communications at The Wot-If? Trust.
ABOUT THE WOT-IF? TRUST
The Wot-If? Trust is committed to growing the township economy and building a strong, resilient community in Diepsloot. We believe in a future Diepsloot where everyone has information, opportunity and voice. To this end, we support local small businesses by providing them with resources, skills training and access to market. We also support the broader community by means of community education and interventions, random acts of kindness during disasters and support of community initiatives and community based organisations (CBO’s). There is no opportunity without access to information, which is why everything we do is underpinned by access to technology.
Website: http://www.wot-if.co.za
Facebook: wotiftrust
Twitter: @Wotiftrust
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3170872
