Sorting mistakes that ruin recycling
According to a local recycling expert, mixed waste has almost no value, about 30c a kilogram. But if you sort it at the source, paper, plastics, glass, metals, recyclers will pay more. Clear plastic bottles, for example, can fetch R3 a kilogram, while coloured bottles go for around R2 a kilogram.
THINK sorting recycling is easy? It’s more complex than you might think – and if done wrong, it can cost you money or lower the value of the recyclables, and even make them unusable.
We asked recycling expert Thozeka Letuka, founder of Big Start Recycling in Clermont, to break down what really counts as proper recycling.
ALSO read: Recycling at home: 5 odd items you can recycle
Letuka trains local waste pickers and says recycling isn’t just good for the planet, it can save money and even generate income.
“Separate recyclables from other waste and you’ll pay less in landfill fees,” she explains. “Good quality sorted materials can even be sold, creating a new revenue stream.”
Mixed waste has almost no value – just 30c a kilogram. But sort it properly (paper, plastic, glass, metals) and you’ll earn much more. “If you sell 1kg of mixed waste, it’s only worth about 30c. But if you separate plastics, paper, glass and metals properly, you can earn more cash,” she says.
For example:
- Clear plastic bottles = R3 per kg
- Coloured bottles = R2 per kg
ALSO read: Keep these 10 recyclables aside for recycling collectors: Tips to help you recycle
Letuka warns against common mistakes, such as putting paper plates in the plastic bin or wetting cardboard. “Even small errors can lower the value of recyclable materials. It’s about understanding the system. Good sorting reduces landfill waste, helps the environment, and can put extra money in people’s pockets,” she said.
The founder reveals that plastic waste has numbers underneath, ranging from one to seven. “One needs to sort plastic waste according to numbers to get more money.”
She urges waste collectors to consider washing, baling and compacting plastics to increase their volume and value, making them more appealing to recyclers.
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