The TOUCH Initiative Recycles Garbage while Creating Jobs
Bianca — November 2, 2011 — Social Good
References: facebook
When you toss a TOUCH rugby ball, you're doing more than passing a ball -- you're passing on an opportunity for employment while also being kind to the environment. The social enterprise was started by Thurlow Hanson-Moore, a founder of thewinwingroup, and is sponsored by South African waste management company EnviroServ.
TOUCH is a social enterprise that is not only environmentally-friendly, but is also benefiting social good through job creation. The rugby balls are stuffed with recycled billboards, plastic bags and other waste from the communities, which are then sewn together by seamstresses in South Africa who would otherwise be out of work. The social business supplies each seamstress with the supplies and training she needs to make the TOUCH rugby balls.
"TOUCH will provide training and up-skilling to ensure that women who have been out of work are enabled to produce quality TOUCH products," their Facebook page explains. "The seamstresses are paid for each ball that they make."
Each TOUCH rugby ball sells for ZAR 50 (about $6), of which ZAR 30 goes back to the community and the operating costs of NGO "LIVE." Whats Up Capetown says that once the women have mastered the craft, they can earn up to 200 ZAR a day, which is about $25.
Contact Information
The TOUCH Initiative Website
072 288 9088
TOUCH is a social enterprise that is not only environmentally-friendly, but is also benefiting social good through job creation. The rugby balls are stuffed with recycled billboards, plastic bags and other waste from the communities, which are then sewn together by seamstresses in South Africa who would otherwise be out of work. The social business supplies each seamstress with the supplies and training she needs to make the TOUCH rugby balls.
"TOUCH will provide training and up-skilling to ensure that women who have been out of work are enabled to produce quality TOUCH products," their Facebook page explains. "The seamstresses are paid for each ball that they make."
Each TOUCH rugby ball sells for ZAR 50 (about $6), of which ZAR 30 goes back to the community and the operating costs of NGO "LIVE." Whats Up Capetown says that once the women have mastered the craft, they can earn up to 200 ZAR a day, which is about $25.
Contact Information
The TOUCH Initiative Website
072 288 9088
Trend Themes
1. Upcycling - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop new ways to upcycle waste materials into useful products, creating both environmental and social benefits.
2. Social Enterprise - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create businesses that prioritize positive social impact while also generating profits, leveraging a growing consumer demand for socially responsible products and services.
3. Job Creation - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore innovative ways to create employment opportunities, particularly for marginalized communities, by combining recycling initiatives with skill-building programs.
Industry Implications
1. Waste Management - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Transform waste management practices by incorporating upcycling initiatives that can turn waste into valuable resources, reducing landfill usage and environmental impact.
2. Sporting Goods - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop sustainable and socially responsible approaches to manufacturing sporting goods, integrating recycled and upcycled materials to align with changing consumer preferences.
3. Social Impact Technology - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Leverage technology to scale and streamline social enterprises focused on job creation and upcycling, optimizing processes and expanding their reach.
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