Recyclers share their stories of putting food on the table

While most Boksburg residents are still asleep, Bongani Goodwill and Sipho Skhosana are already on the road, pushing trolleys and searching through bins for recyclable materials to help them make a living.

Bongani, who lives in Rondebult, has been recycling for more than six years, while Sipho, from Holomisa, has been doing the work for about a decade.

On collection days, the two spend their mornings moving from one area to another, often heading home only around 11:00 or midday.

For both men, recycling is more than simply collecting what others throw away; it is a way to put food on the table and support their families.

“I learnt to like recycling because of the retrenchments that were happening during Covid,” said Bongani.
The work, however, comes with its own challenges.

Bongani said recyclers often have to dig through bins because residents do not separate recyclable materials from general waste.

“Getting separated recyclable materials can be difficult as residents do not consider us and throw everything into one bin,” he said.

Sipho said some residents are also hesitant to allow recyclers near their bins because of concerns about people breaking into homes.

At the same time, Sipho understands why some residents are concerned.

“Some of the people we work with make a mess when looking for recyclables,” he said.

Bongani said this can leave responsible recyclers facing the consequences of other people’s actions.

“It really gets difficult at times as we get punished for other people’s sins,” he said.

Despite the challenges, the two continue to push their trollies and fill their sacks, knowing that every kilogram can make a difference.

“We work in different areas almost every day, and we push for our sacks to be full by midday,” said Sipho.

According to Bongani, payment depends on the weight of the recyclables collected rather than the size of the sack.

“The sack needs to weigh about 1 700kg; that way you can get paid at least R500,” he said.
“It really depends on the weight of the sack and not its size.”

Because the materials can become heavy, recyclers often need more than one sack and a trolley to move their collections.

“That is why we come with more than one sack and trollies. These things get heavy,” said Sipho.

The pair have also encountered people who have municipal recycling tenders and employ informal recyclers to collect materials for them.

“Basically, you collect recyclables for them, and then they pay you at month-end,” said Sipho.

Bongani said he had tried working under someone with a tender but found that working independently earned him more.

“I can provide for myself and my family when I work for myself.”

For Sipho, however, working under a tender can have one advantage.

“Collecting recyclables for people with tenders can sometimes be easy because you don’t have to run away from the dustbin truck,” he said.

As they continue their daily routine, the recyclers hope residents will play their part by making their work safer and easier.

Sipho urged residents to separate recyclable materials before putting them out for collection.

“That way we don’t have to dig into bins and those that ruin people’s bins can stop scratching around,” he said.

For Bongani and Sipho, the early mornings, heavy sacks and long walks are all part of earning an honest living.

While the materials they collect may be unwanted by others, they have become a lifeline for two breadwinners determined to provide for their families.

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