From Plastic to Purpose – How Ele Collection is Uplifting Communities and Protecting Wildlife

Some stories start with a single moment. Others begin with a group of women, a pile of plastic, and a dream to make things better.

When the idea for Ele Collection Co. was born, it was never just about the environment (read our first blog if you’ve missed it for context). It was always about people too. Real people. And it turns out that when you focus on both, magic happens.

The Ele Collection Co. team of plastic collectors started with seven women. Many were single mothers, most had never earned a consistent wage, and all of them were ready for something different. They came through Zion City Foundation – a community organisation focused on women empowerment, skills training and creating safe spaces for vulnerable girls and women in Victoria Falls.

Their mission? To help remove plastic waste from the wild spaces where elephants roam. And so, armed with gloves, bags, safety gear and fierce determination, they got to work. Every morning, they head out to the "crime scenes" – illegal dumps on the outskirts of town where elephants go to scavenge and feed. It’s hard, physical work, but with every 40 or 50 kilograms of waste they collect, they’re rewriting not just their own story, but the legacy of a community.

Each woman earns around $10 a day – a small figure to some, but in Zimbabwe, it’s life-changing and more than what most people earn in the community. Enough to feed their kids. Enough to pay school fees. Enough to have a choice. Dignity. Stability.

Today, that group of seven phenomenal women has grown to a team of over 35 collectors, street sweepers, sorters, and changemakers. Some are ex-dump-site scavengers, others keep the streets of Victoria Falls clean, and some are part of our growing network in villages like Monde and regions as far as Hwange.

We’ve even opened what Ele Collection calls the “Rubbish Bank” – a “Trash for Cash” model where anyone can bring in plastic waste and exchange it for money. Because once people realise that plastic has value and a currency, behaviour begins to shift. Habits change. And communities rise.

Take a look at this video created and released just this week showing you more about Ele Collection and everything they collectively do. Enjoy! 

This video is a reminder as to why we do what we do at Anywhere in Africa Safaris. For every guest who visits Zimbabwe, Zambia or Victoria Falls we donate a portion of every booking to this mission. This isn’t just a side project anymore. It’s a movement. 

One that travelers can be part of too - as we arrange visits to Ele Collection Co. where you can visit the team and see where your donation is going to. See the incredible impact that one bag of plastic (and one determined woman) can make by visiting their website for more information, here.  

If you can’t wait to visit and would like to donate now or join forces with this organization please do reach out to Ben Norton directly: ben@elecollection.co.