Join the Journey
Facilitating Recycling, Dignity & Development
The Clean Trade Story
We (Elaine Stanley and Tia-Mari Jacobs) shared a dream: to make our town a little cleaner and to feed people in need. The idea came from a very dear friend whom we lost tragically in 2021. After a cup of coffee on a stoep, we decided to bring her idea to life.
We had no background in community development, no funding, and no clear path forward. Only determination and heart. We sat on the idea for a few years, planning, doing research and more planning…
Eventually in September 2024, Clean Trade was born!
Our Vision
A cleaner environment and a stronger community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Our Mission
To reduce waste and fight poverty by empowering communities to clean their surroundings in exchange for tokens that can be used to access food, clothing, and essential goods – facilitating recycling, dignity and development.
How it works
Collect and sort all rubbish
Bring it to the RED container
Exchange clean & sorted recycling for tokens
Use tokens to purchase goods
Our Impact
In 18 months of trading, from October 2024 to March 2026, the Clean Trade Project achieved the following:
• 111 286 kg of recyclable materials were processed (excluding non-recyclable waste).
• This is more than 100 tons of rubbish which has not gone into landfill.
• Plastic bottles make up 45 tons of this recycling.
• 6 210 families bought food with the tokens received for their waste, with many returning regularly.
• Of those served, 59% were female, 41% male and 100% are unemployed individuals who benefited.
• Every trader received enough food for at least one meal, but most of them purchased groceries sufficient for several meals.
The need is massive!
