About This Project

The “Recycle Swop Shop for Kids” was initiated in 2003 in response to the bitter reality that many children in the Zwelihle Township, Hermanus were sitting apathetically on the curb side without benefit of the very basic needs.  The only thing that the children had access to was the garbage and recyclables that surrounded them.  Hence, the concept was born.

Pictures courtesy of Recycle Swop Shop

The Concept

Children can collect tins, plastics and glass bottles to trade for useful and fun things at the shop.  Initially, it began with encouraging anyone 12 years or younger to come.  If a child is old enough to carry a bag of tins, they can “buy” something at the “Recycle Swop Shop”.

At first, the shop supplied only items of personal hygiene and used clothing.  Later, through generous donation they have been able to include school supplies to their stock.

Personal Items:  toilet paper, soap, face cloths, toothbrush, toothpaste, towels, underwear

School Supplies:  pens, pencils, coloured pencils, notebooks, colouring     books, plastic files

Clothes: warm jerseys, t-shirts, tights, trousers, shorts, skirts, shoes

The program operates solely through volunteers, donations from parents, local residents and interested visitors. The swop shop takes place once a week on Wednesday.

Visitors can spend a day at the Recycle Swop Shop Project and get to see how the concept is positively used to help the kids in the community. You will have the opportunity to buy hand made crafts made by locals, in turn, helping them earn a wage.

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