News24 | More than 600 animals rescued through recycling on the East Rand

• Recycling for Animal Welfare has rescued more than 600 animals on the East Rand since 2017.
• The group funds veterinary care, food, and sterilisations by recycling glass and cardboard, and it has now launched a BackaBuddy campaign.
• RAW has recycled more than 750 tonnes of glass and 75 tonnes of cardboard, earning around R1 200 every two to three weeks.

An animal welfare organisation has been rescuing animals on the East Rand and paying for their veterinary care, food, and sterilisations with funds earned through glass and cardboard recycling.

Founded in 2017 by Judy Knox and her partner, John Ancill, Recycling for Animal Welfare (RAW) has helped more than 600 animals through rescues, sterilisations, feeding schemes and assistance to injured strays.

“I wanted a sustainable way to fund sterilisations and veterinary care for animals in our community. By watching people collect recycling, I realised it could be a simple, steady, meaningful way to support animals and protect the environment,” Knox said.

RAW operates in Germiston, Boksburg, Benoni, Edenvale, and Kempton Park, and when no one else can assist, the team goes wherever help is needed.

According to Knox, all animals supported through the feeding scheme are sterilised before joining.

Some have been receiving assistance for many years.

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Knox said RAW began with minimal resources.

“All I had at the time was my little Hyundai i10. I filled it to the roof with glass from all over the East Rand, and after that first delivery, I earned R50. It wasn’t much, but it showed me this idea had potential,” she said.

“With that bit of hope, I approached our local vet and asked if they would open a rescue account for RAW. They warned me that rescue work would break my heart, and yes, it has, but seeing a frightened animal slowly trust again makes every moment worth it.”

RAW is currently run by a small team of four people, including Knox, Ancill and Monique Dwyer.

All the team members have full-time jobs. They collect glass and cardboard after work and every Saturday.

“Rescue work has no fixed hours. If we are at work and an animal needs assistance, we ask on the community groups if people can assist to take the animals to our supporting vet,” Knox said.

Since its establishment, RAW has recycled more than 750 tonnes of glass and 75 tonnes of cardboard.

Knox said the rescue organisation made 50 cents per kilogramme of glass and R1.20 per kilogramme of cardboard, and that two to three weeks of recycling generated only about R1 200.

“Every bit of recycling we collect helps us pay our vet bill, the heart of our rescue work, and ensures every animal receives the care they deserve,” she said.

However, she added that the income was no longer sufficient to cover the costs.

“Our vet bill is currently R53 305.59, and animals needing urgent care arrive every week. Recycling helps, but at this rate, it could take many months to settle the bill, and the animals that need us cannot wait that long.”

With recycling income unable to cover rising veterinary costs, RAW has launched a BackaBuddy campaign to raise funds.

BackaBuddy: Support Recycling for Animal Welfare

RAW has never faced obstacles while collecting recyclable materials.

Knox said the organisation had built strong relationships with street recyclers who do not prefer glass because it is heavy and dangerous.

“They give us the glass, and we give them the plastic grades that we don’t recycle. So, we support each other,” she said.

RAW is also supported by recycling depots, Planet Care and Mpact, which provide glass skips and bulk bags.

Beyond financial strain, the organisation faces practical challenges.

Knox said RAW relied on two bakkies and two trailers that are under constant strain and frequently breaking down.

“Our bakkies are working very hard, that’s why they break down a lot,” she said.

Despite the difficulties, Knox said individual animal cases continued to drive the team.

“For me, one case would be Paul—a very sick little German shepherd puppy. Eight years ago, a freezing, limp puppy arrived at our home in Marlands, Germiston. Later, we named him Paul,” she said.

Paul was severely ill when he arrived, and Knox and Ancill rushed him to the vet.

“We were later told that if he had arrived even an hour later, he would not have survived. For months, Paul fought for his life. He survived parvo[virus], tick bite fever and gastro,” Knox said.

“John and I stayed beside him through every drip, every setback, every shaky breath. There were moments when we didn’t know if he would make it through the night, but Paul kept fighting.”

Against all odds, the dig survived and lived another eight years before dying in July last year.

If you would like to support RAW, see their BackaBuddy campaign here.