Mula helps to remove 32 tons of plastic

THE award-winning Uitenhage Recycling Mula Swop-Shop Project has during 2018 removed a total of 32 171 kg of plastic and 7 571 kg of card board from the communities of Joe Slovo, Greenfields, Rosedale, Gerald Smith, Mandelaville and Blikkiesdorp.

For the past four years the Mula project, a registered non-profit organisation driven by members from the community, has contributed to the removing of approximately 113 644kg of plastic and cardboard from the area.

“Mula is about offering children the opportunity to exchange plastic and cardboard recyclables for food, clothing, educational material or toys which are available from our on-site swop shop,” said Quinette Goosen, who together with Glenise Howard and Olive Grimsel founded the project.

“There are too many children going to school hungry. And too many children going to sleep on an empty stomach.”

The Mula concept is based on the principle of exchanging. Children earn Mula points through the weight of recyclables which they bring to the Mula collecting point at the Allanridge Civic Centre each Wednesday from 13:00 onwards. In return they exchange the Mula points they have earned for food, clothing, educational items or toys.

“It is with much gratitude that the Mula committee wishes to thank all donors – those who are known and also those donors wishing to stay anonymous - for their support,” said Goosen, chairperson of the project.

“Without the trust and support of the public, the Mula project would not have managed to keep fulfilling its two main aims namely to alleviate poverty and to clean up the environment.”

The Uitenhage Recycling Mula Swop-Shop Project was last year named PET Recycling Company’s national winner in the category: Public Campaign of the Year.

According to Goosen, Mula’s biggest need is to have enough funds for their food supply, which they have to stock each week.

“The need for food is huge. This is mostly what the children exchange their recycled items for when they visit the Mula swop-shop each Wednesday afternoon.

“Therefore we are humbled by every donation, no matter how big or small, knowing it will make a difference in people’s lives,” said Goosen.

The ladies from VLV Steytlerville (a women’s agricultural society) surprised the Mula team with their donation of much needed supplies. The ladies have collected supplies throughout 2018 with the aim to donate it to the Mula project.

“A huge Mula thank you to all who support the project,” said Goosen. - HEILIE COMBRINCK