~by Mpho Mativandela
Eco-Savings and Credit Group Coordinator
The Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region is witnessing a transformative initiative that addresses environmental conservation and community wellbeing simultaneously. The Absorbent Hygiene Products (AHP) Project, launched in June 2025 in the Phiring and Malaeneng communities, has successfully completed its inception phase, establishing a sustainable model for reducing plastic pollution while empowering women economically.
In under-resourced communities within Strategic Water Source Areas of K2C, approximately 200,000 disposable diapers are generated daily with minimal waste management services. This places growing pressure on wetlands and rivers while burdening families with the ongoing cost of disposable hygiene products.
Building on a successful 2023–2024 pilot intervention, the expanded AHP Project adopts a participatory approach that centres community voices. In July, 126 community members participated in co-creation workshops to identify challenges and design solutions that fit their realities. This process helped shape an integrated model that brings together reusable hygiene products, financial literacy, and community-based economic systems.
Central to the project are Eco-Savings and Credit Groups (E-SCGs), which serve as platforms for financial empowerment, behaviour change and collective support. Two E-SCGs have been established with 35 active members, primarily women, who meet regularly to save, learn and mentor each other.
Over the past few months, the inception phase has achieved several key milestones:
- Appointed and trained four community-based fieldworkers
- Distributed six reusable diaper starter packs to beneficiary mothers through Conservation Agreements
- Recruited and begun preparing two local seamstresses to produce reusable sanitary pads
- Established a revolving loan mechanism, enabling mothers to gradually repay the value of their starter packs into their E-SCG, creating funds for future beneficiaries
This revolving model is already demonstrating its value. By cycling resources back into the community, each contribution supports the next mother in line, reducing reliance on external funding while strengthening financial literacy and responsibility.
Local seamstresses will soon begin producing reusable sanitary pads using locally procured materials. This will create micro-enterprises that generate income and ensure that products remain affordable, appropriate and accessible. The project aims to scale by forming additional E-SCGs, distributing more starter packs through the revolving model, and producing more than 300 locally made sanitary pads.
A mentorship programme will also connect mothers with teenage girls, building intergenerational knowledge about menstrual health and sustainable hygiene practices. Through this blend of environmental action, social support and women-led entrepreneurship, the AHP Project is demonstrating how community-driven innovation can protect critical water resources, reduce plastic pollution and open new pathways for economic empowerment.
We recognise the people of Phiring and Malaeneng, whose leadership is shaping a landscape where families and nature thrive together.
This project wouldn’t be possible without the support of the University of the Western Cape and Aquila Environmental.