Trentyre sits down in support of people and planet

Trentyre's generous support for an unusual project that turns scrap tyres into solid chairs is a doubly good deed, helping a poor community and recycling for the health of the environment at the same time.

FAB, FUNKY FURNITURE...National tyre retailer Trentyre supports a small community project that turns scrap tyres into furniture. Ria Bronkhorst, Trentyre Human Resources Director, has one of the unusual chairs in her office.

'Simunye' is a little furniture making enterprise near the chrome mining town of Macadadorp. Trentyre has invested R80 000 in the project, which will be used to develop the business.

Ria Bronkhorst, Trentyre's Human Resources Director said the project was started by Alan Nicholas, Human Resources Project Co-ordinator at local Assmang Chrome mine, who saw the idea and set up a small manufacturing facility with a handful of previously unemployed non-matriculants."

Since then, Simunye has added a coffee table to go with their chairs, using just one tyre and a glass top. The furniture is currently sold throughout all branches of Assmang Chrome and is proving very popular.

"Trentyre is pleased to be involved in Simunye. This is an opportunity to alleviate poverty in the community in a sustainable way, developing the skills of the unemployed so that they will always have the potential to earn an income. The project also makes a positive contribution to a greener environment by utilising old tyres in a productive way."

Some of the funds will be utilised to market the products and the rest will go on manufacturing materials like wood, rope, bolts and glass. Scrap tyres are donated by the nearby Trentyre branches in Witbank and Middelburg.