Turning Excess into Essential with Barrows: Repurpose 4 Purpose

Barrows Global and the DO MORE FOUNDATION (DMF) have reimagined an alternate end-solution for excess business inventory (EBI): redirecting it away from our already over-burdened landfills into the hands of little learners at under-resourced ECD centres.

Repurposing is about reimagining what has value and realising that what might ordinarily be thought of as waste actually has potential use. The Repurpose 4 Purpose (R4P) programme demonstrates that even EBI can hold value, it just takes partners - like Barrows Global, Innovation Edge and DMF - that have the same visionary leadership to see what that value is.

Barrows’ approach to responsible business is evidenced by its ‘doing CSI unusual’, which it rolls out in collaboration with DMF. By building CSI into their business - ‘baking it in’ rather than ‘bolting it on’ - Barrows has become part of the long-term solution to address the needs of vulnerable communities and ultimately create better tomorrows for young children in South Africa.

By creatively reimagining the empty white spaces available when printing their clients temporary display units as educational resources, Barrows became a leader in beneficial repurposing in South Africa. These resources have reached over 60,000 young children in over 2,000 ECD programmes.

In its most recent quarterly feedback report, The Learning Initiative, highlighted the excitement the R4P boards bring to the children in ECD centres in Worcester: “The children don't want to stop playing with the materials and they really, really enjoy playing with it. When I took it out they were excited because I told them it's for them. They had bright smiles. They actually told the story and the children listened attentively.”

The inception of the R4P programme in 2017 empowered Barrows to maximise more value from its display units - value that is financial, social and environmental.

Through the R4P programme, this partnership’s impact doesn’t stop at the community though. By integrating a sustainable EBI disposal solution into its business operations, Barrows is also actively caring for the environment by reducing the amount of waste it sends to landfills or incinerators. Combatting wastage and promoting sustainability in business is part of climate change mitigation efforts that are necessary if we want young children to thrive.

Barrows has been able to upcycle roughly two thirds of waste from its temporary display unit manufacturing facility, which has saved the company in waste disposal and transport costs. This EBI has been transformed into over 800,000 high-quality early learning boards used to promote the cognitive development of young children using african-centric imagery. Because this forms part of ‘baking’ CSI into their business operations, the staff at Barrows is given the opportunity to be part of and contribute to helping those most in need.

The DMF together with 13 Resource and Training Organisations (RTO) distribute these educational resources to ECD centres across South Africa and train practitioners on how to best use them. The interactive boards have brightened the days - and futures - of thousands of young children enrolled in ECD programmes across South Africa since the programme started.

Eastern Cape based RTO, Early Inspiration (EYCID), highlighted in their quarterly feedback report that the R4P resources provide ECD practitioners: “The practitioners gave feedback that this resource is simple to use and promotes interaction with the children. It has given a fresh approach to themes that have become repetitive and mundane. The ECD centres are excited for future resources they will receive, as they believe they add value to the children's learning and it is an easy tool to use during their daily programmes.”

It took imagination to see it as a possibility and innovation through partnership to make it happen.

Contact our Partnerships Team to work with us to create better tomorrows for South Africa’s young children: iris.naidoo@domore.org.za