Put some dignity in recycling

Juanita Courtaillac writes:

[Referring to the article On the road again, 26 September 2014 and again 17 October edition We want Government

Help – Recyclers, by Mpume Nzimande regarding the nuisance caused by recyclers and their trolleys.]

Let’s be honest – if there is a chance to make some money, the problem with recyclers going through our bins is not going to go away, so

how can we better the situation?

When last did you dig your hand into a disgusting, germ infested bin to pull an item out, let alone sometimes having to stick your

whole body in to get to the bottom.

Rubbish to us is treasure to others and in some cases pure “Survival”.

Yes I agree that the current situation is annoying and I for one get irritated when being held up by a fat trolley sitting in my lane while

the recycler searches through bins or having to witness the total disregard for our pavements and park areas which are used as sorting areas with litter abound as well as having our parks inhabited by vagrants at night due to them having no shelter.

The situation got me thinking.

Where is the human dignity?

We drive by and watch our fellow man putting their health in jeopardy and being so degraded just to scrounge together a meagre

sum of money to survive.

Well I have a few suggestions and those organisations or corporates who are willing could perhaps use their “Social Development” budgets

to bring some self-respect and better the lives of these recyclers and in turn get in some good marketing, advertising and public relations opportunities.

Ideas are as follows:

Restore dignity by creating a position for recyclers and naming it e.g. “Bin Jockeys”, “Dump Dudes” or “The Recyclers” etc. Get schools involved to run a competition to find a name.

Corporate Sponsorship of the development of a custom built trolley that will be ergonomically streamlined to fit in with the traffic and not hamper it e.g. instead of a square trolley and bulk bag – perhaps make it a longer rectangle shape and taller to accommodate more items.

Something that is manoeuvrable to allow them to move easily. Perhaps provide them with a sponsored uniform i.e: Vest with the name on i.e. Bin Jockey and luminous strips. This will give them dignity and make them feel validated.

Use the trolley as a marketing opportunity by putting a slogan on the trolley e.g.: – “Bin Jockey’s – waste collectors sponsored by: Name of Sponsor – encouraging personal, social and environmental development in your area because we care”.

Put a little number plate on the back stating, ”Thank you for your patience – together we are keeping South Africa Green”.

Run campaigns in all local media educating the public on how to sort their waste to assist with the collection by these recyclers. (Rinse your plastic containers before putting them in your bin – there is nothing worse than pulling out a container full of rotten food).

By sorting our waste before putting it out for collection we prevent the recyclers from having to dig through the bin thereby eliminating the litter.

Working together with the Recycling facilities to create satellite waste deposit points where the recyclers can get their items weighed. If money handling is an issue – give tokens or exchange coupons where they can go to a major retailer to exchange their coupon for cash.

Again another opportunity for the main retail or business franchises to get involved. This will assist the recyclers by not having to travel such extreme distances to deliver their goods.

With regards to recyclers not having a place to reside, this is a problem government, religious and humanitarian organisations

will have to address and perhaps use some of their budget to assist with facilities to provide shelter etc.

I am well aware that this may not totally eliminate the problem and that there will always be mavericks that don’t play by the rules

but my thinking is that this is a start to bringing some dignity to the situation.

My ideas may be “way out there” and I’m sure there are lots of issues to be considered but we are a versatile nation so get your thinking caps on and let’s see if we can better the situation for both the homeless recyclers and ourselves.

Editor’s note: Letter published unedited.