Dustbin diggers pilot project reaches phase two
After four months, a survey was conducted among the residents who took part in the project, to get feedback on its progress.
It has been just over six months since the launch of the Recycle Project – Dignity for Diggers, a partnership between Silverstar and the local Community Policing Forums (CPFs).
The pilot project had two aims: to raise awareness about the importance of recycling, and to provide assistance and resources to the dustbin diggers to make their daily jobs a little easier.
“The dustbin diggers sift through people’s municipal bins for items they can take to a nearby recycling plant, in exchange for money. The digging process is often a long and unhygienic mess. The recovered items are then piled into unsightly bags on home-made, unstable trolleys. This is how they make a living every day – collecting, transporting and selling plastic to the recycling plants,” said Adele Wilson, the custodian of this initiative.
When the pilot project was launched last November, 10 dustbin diggers were each supplied with a new trolley and reflective bib with a matching number. They were also registered with their local CPF. Over 100 large, yellow 240 litre wheelie bins were distributed to all the homeowners in the Sector 7 area. This allowed households to separate all plastic refuse from their general waste. The dustbins were then put out on standard council refuse removal days. The purpose of the yellow bins was to make it easier for households to recycle and for diggers to identify exactly where they need to look, without digging through residents’ general waste.
After four months, a survey was conducted among the residents who took part in the project, to get feedback on its progress.
“We received an overwhelmingly positive response from those who took part in the survey. The feedback will assist us in planning phase two of the Dignity for Diggers project,” explained Wilson.
It was noted that the residents preferred smaller bins, and in phase two, the 240 litre bins will be exchanged for a 140 litre size. The majority also reported that the diggers take all the recycling items from the yellow bins, but still go through the municipal bins too in case recyclable items have been mistakenly discarded incorrectly. The project sees an opportunity here to further educate both residents and diggers to ensure that all recyclable items are allocated to the yellow bins exclusively.
According to Wilson, “The members also said they were excited to take part, as this is a brilliant project. They were happy to be doing their bit in saving the environment and lending a hand to those less fortunate.”
There are plans to expand the project. The first goal is to get a residential complex in Section 7 on board. Complexes generate high volumes of waste, and by involving just one complex, many items could be recycled. The project will then be extended to other sectors in the area. Wilson noted that some residents were not sure which materials can go into the yellow bin. “We will put clear signage on the new, smaller bins, showing that tin and aluminium cans can also be recycled, not just plastic.
“We have long-term plans for the project. In five years, we would like to see every single homeowner in Mogale City using a yellow refuse bin. We are also aiming for a more organised dustbin-diggers community, where they would register with the CPF with a valid South African ID. They will then be given their trolley and bib. This will help build trust between residents and the diggers who operate in the various neighbourhoods,” added Wilson.
The project is one of the many ways that Silverstar Casino is making sustainable changes in our communities, she said.
“Highlighting the progress of the project is especially important, as we observe National Environment Month and reflect on the impact this project has on our environment’s recycling opportunities,” concluded Shane Collinson, Director of Operations and Complex General Manager at Silverstar Casino.
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