Rewaste Solutions up for the task
BOTSWANA GUARDIAN: Kindly provide background to the formation of Rewaste Solutions
KETSILE MOGAE: Rewaste Solutions started operations in 2017 with a sole mandate to zero waste to the landfill through the provision of eco-innovative waste management solutions. We were first to market with the underground waste container that is eco-friendly and cost saving called, the MOLOK. We pair our general waste container with recyclable segregation units that are used for indoor and outdoor bringing waste segregation at source to the market, allowing for a sustainable partnership with our clients with SDG goals being a National call to action, clients are now able to implement sustainable green waste management practices in their organisations and encouraging a greener tomorrow for Batswana.
GUARDIAN: What has been the major challenges during the company’s early years of operations?
MOGAE: Coming in with a new concept in an already saturated market and trying to convince people to do it right, because truth be told, the old way is easy. Trying to change a culture is not an easy journey.
GUARDIAN: Who funded the business?
MOGAE: Rewaste is a family run cleaning business.
GUARDIAN: What competitive edge does the company has over peers?
MOGAE: We are patriotic about our practices and the sustainable impact it has on our environment. The passion for a Greener tomorrow sets us apart from our competitors; that we are solution based, act on sustainable goals, and our waste management model is inclusive not profit driven, it’s for Batswana that’s what makes us different.
GUARDIAN: Kindly, in detail, provide how the current corporate strategy will help the company to grow exponentially in the next 5 years? MOGAE: Our strategy is in line with the Nations mandate to ensure innovative and sustainable solutions are available to all and accessible by all, ensuring that our recycling centres are in all major towns and cities and with our partners ensuring we have solutions for remote villages to enhance our poverty eradication and that more Batswana are able to benefit from the initiative.
GUARDIAN: ReWaste recently participated in the Botswana Stock Exchange Tshipidi Mentorship Program. What valuable lessons can you tell us about which will be important to shape ReWaste as corporate entity? MOGAE: First and foremost, the program has opened our eyes to the benefit of operating as a corporate entity that can attract investments. Often we start businesses as entrepreneurs and run “Businesses” that are not intended to survive beyond the spirit of the entrepreneur. Many SME’s don’t succeed past 5 years, not because the concept or idea was not of value but because we fear the need to corporatize our entities, open up equity to skilled and experienced mentors in business that will grow you and the brand beyond what you even believed possible.
GUARDIAN: What is the importance of innovation in the sector that you operate in?
MOGAE: Innovation is important in any sector for 2023 and beyond, we are living in a world where technology is taking over, efficiency and quality are vital, and waste management industry is no exception to the growing demand of being innovative and sustainable.
GUARDIAN: Who are your major clients, public or private?
MOGAE: Community members, large corporates, small child, public and private. Everyone generates waste and everyone is equally a potential client and partner
GUARDIAN: Are there any legislative frameworks that impede Rewaste or even the industry from reaching full potential?
MOGAE: There is definitely potential for legislations to support our initiatives and goals, from taxing regulations, household waste collection fees that should be implemented to make waste segregation at source a requirement, to laws that govern manufacturers and producers to be more sustainable and pay levies to producing or distributing recyclable material. We have had over years a plastic levy in place, and the government needs to collect the fees, these fees are the very monetary rewards first world countries use to incentivise recycling. Botswana has a long way to go and I trust and believe we are on the right track with a mindset change encouragement currently being driven.
GUARDIAN: As a waste management solutions firm, how important are principles of Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG)?
MOGAE: Incredibly vital. These define corporate culture in organisations, these cultures are enhanced or supported by our solutions, you can’t setup an environmental policy that governs your ethics with regards to protecting the environment when you don’t address the waste being generated in the building and the responsibility you have to ensure its safe disposal nor the responsibility you have to the environment and community you reside in. ESG frameworks are the essence of why we exist as Rewaste Solutions, as mentioned we are for the Environment and its People, that in itself is the environmental and social responsibility we take seriously.
GUARDIAN: Where will the next growth story of Rewaste come from?
MOGAE: Rewaste is only as strong as the People and the Organisations are ready to take accountability for their actions and the role they play in the greater scheme of things.