Dustbin diggers receive well-deserved recognition
The initiative is just one of many which Silverstar is implementing within our local communities.
Constantly roaming the streets and digging through people’s trash for things to make ends meet and support their families, dustbin diggers have an important role to play in the broader ecosystem of our communities.
However, they rarely get the recognition they deserve – if at all. Recognising the struggles that these resourceful human beings go through, and encouraging local homeowners to play their part in recycling, will just benefit the environment even more.
“After witnessing one of the diggers wandering the streets and sorting through dustbins on the curb with his two-year-old son in 2013, it really hit home for me – one of the saddest moments I’ve witnessed. He was not just a regular digger, he was a father and the family’s bread-winner, trying to provide for his family,” said Adele Wilson, the eternal humanitarian behind this initiative.
Silverstar Casino has come up with a win-win solution to partner with the dustbin diggers to further raise awareness about the importance of recycling and supporting the less fortunate. No man deserves to dig through another’s trash as a way of making a living.
“My heart went out to these people roaming the streets digging through our rubbish day-by-day. They are tolerated, but regarded suspiciously, disliked and even feared by some residents. Yet, they do so much more for us than we can imagine – they reduce the amount of waste ending up in our earth.” concluded Adele.
Joining forces with the local Community Policing Forums (CPF), Silverstar has launched the plastic recycling dustbin and diggers trolley pilot project – dubbed Recycling Project, Dignity for Diggers.
“The dustbin diggers play a bigger role in our society than we are giving them credit for. They are adding value to our environment, reducing the landfill space needed at local rubbish tips. Silverstar’s involvement will ensure that they have the ability to collect more recyclables, but in a more dignified, hygienic and efficient manner. Our intention is to create a fruitful partnership that will see dignity restored to these citizens of our community,” said Sanele Ntombela, Silverstar’s Marketing Manager.
On the day, Silverstar handed over a number of 240-litre yellow wheelie bins to the homeowners residing in in the area. This will allow households to separate all plastic refuse from their general waste going forward. These dustbins will then be put out on standard council refuse removal days.
The yellow wheelie bins will make it easier for households to recycle and for diggers to identify exactly where they need to look. They will no longer need to dig through residents’ general waste to find what they are searching for.
“The initiative is just one of many which Silverstar is empowering within our local communities. We will continue to make tangible and sustainable changes in and around South Africa,” concluded Sanele.
“Watch this space for more exciting upcoming projects.”
Read more:
Dustbin diggers given new wheels
Trash-diggers the town’s recyclers
