Swop Shop

Collected recyclables swapped for groceries and school supplies.

Back of Swop Shop: the Recycling swop shops tradition, how a note would work, and the traits of Noun #13 — Back · the tradition

Security Edition v2

The same note set like a banknote: full engraved portrait of Noun #13, guilloche, watermark, thread, foil stripe and microtext, all printed art. What's on it

Security Edition front of Swop Shop: a line-engraved portrait of the full actual Noun #13 in a guilloche oval beside a watermark window, thread and holographic-look stripe — Security Edition · front

Security Edition back of Swop Shop: a color medallion of Noun #13 in a guilloche rosette, with the note's story — Security Edition · back

v2 front SVG ↓ v2 back SVG ↓

The tradition · since 2003

Recycling swop shops

South African swop shops began in 2003 in Zwelihle, Hermanus, letting residents trade collected recyclables for points spent on everyday goods; Cape Town's mobile Swop Shop relaunched in 2025.

Source: City's mobile Swop Shop brings recycling rewards closer to home (City of Cape Town) ↗

How a note would work

Points are earned by bringing sorted recyclables to a community swap counter and spent on groceries, toiletries or school supplies. They are never bought or cashed out.

Design concept inspired by this tradition, not issued by or for the people who keep it. Not legal tender, not for sale, no cash value, no redemption and no investment rights.

Front SVG ↓ Back SVG ↓ Machine edition

PlaceWestern Cape, South Africa
Erasince 2003
RegionAfrica & the Middle East
UnitPoint · Points
Face value10 Points
SerialGB-G005-N0013
NounActual Noun #13 ↗
Why this NounSwop shops turn what would have gone in the bin into groceries, so the trashcan earns its place.
Headtrashcan
Glassessquare orange
Bodygrayscale 7
Accessorychecker RGB
Seedbg 1 · body 11 · acc 26 · head 210 · glasses 13