Waste centre opens formally in Umgeni Park
Riverside Buy-Back Centre opens under Mavavela Recycling with R700 000 funding to boost waste picker integration and local recycling.
THE Riverside Buy-Back Centre in Umgeni Park is now operational with SMME, Mavavela Recycling. Over R700 000 has been secured from eWASA to fund infrastructure development.
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The centre has been a work in progress for over a year now with NPO USE-IT at the forefront, with full support from the area’s ward councillor, Heinz de Boer, USE-IT, the eThekwini Municipality Economic Development Unit, Cleansing and Solid Waste (CSW) and the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA).
“The buy-back centre has now been handed over to the new SMME, Mavavela Recycling, who is busy setting up the site for operations. All recycling, bar scrap metal, is welcome on site,” said Belinda Putterill, managing director of USE-IT.
The initiative forms part of a wider waste picker integration and recycling upliftment strategy, designed to promote job creation, environmental sustainability, and small business development.
De Boer said about 20 waste reclaimers already operate on site and will continue to sell recyclables to the appointed operator.
“The informal recycling depot has operated for years on Riverside Road without formal recognition and is close to becoming an official recycling site. With the Riverside Buy-Back Centre in operation, this is now formalised,” said De Boer.
“There are still teething problems, people have built shacks in the bushes surrounding the buy-back centre. There are also people under the bridge who are selling scrap from there. We would like to move them into the buy-back centre but we have to get permission from Environmental Affairs,” he added.
He added that the project was an ongoing process and that all involved were trying everything.
“We hope the community will support this initiative, and the bodies involved,” he added.
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