By partnering with the Sweethearts Foundation, Latoya Hendricks HR Executive for Aquazania was able to launch a campaign in June 2023 for the collection of plastic caps into its large Aquazania bottles. These caps are then sold by the Sweethearts Foundation and the proceeds from the sale are used to purchase wheelchairs for the disadvantaged. Each plastic cap collected, represents not only a material resource but a ray of hope for those in need. By helping organisations and people transform discarded plastic into funds, Aquazania hopes to unlock the potential of recycling to address the basic needs of disadvantaged individuals and communities.
From inception to September 2024, Aquazania was able to collect 20,463 kg of bottle caps, which were sold for approximately R40,876 — enough to purchase fifteen standard wheelchairs.
Latoya said: “By prioritising the acquisition of these wheelchairs, we aim to restore dignity and stability to individuals and families who are often unable to afford these basic needs. Through our commitment to social responsibility, we want to demonstrate that even the simplest acts of kindness can have profound and lasting impacts on the lives of others.”
The Mini Councillors are junior leaders chosen from 80 schools. They have always been involved with Sweethearts as they work together on initiatives to help people in need across Johannesburg. They have always wanted to assist with the bottle cap collections but didn’t have the means of how to store them. They came along side Aquazania this year to assist in the collection of the caps by using our bottles as the storage vessels. Julia Levine, Paul’s daughter is one of the Johannesburg mini Councils for 2024 and has headed up the councillors with this initiative.
Once the bottle caps were collected and swopped for the wheelchairs the Paige Project was selected and through this they selected LITTLE EDEN Society to be the recipient of five wheelchairs. The Paige Project is a registered NPO whose main objectives are to raise funds to benefit disadvantaged children with physical and mental disabilities (primarily caused by cerebral palsy), by supplying their family, care facilities or social workers with equipment or training courses to assist in the child’s development.
