INFOGRAPHIC: Informal recyclers save municipalities millions in landfill airspace annually
This was highlighted during the National Waste Pickers Integration Workshop in Pretoria this week.
Informal recyclers collect 80 – 90% of post-consumer packaging and paper recycled in South Africa and save municipalities up to R750 million in landfill airspace each year.
This was highlighted during the National Waste Pickers Integration Workshop in Pretoria this week.
The workshop was hosted by the Department of Environmental Affairs in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology.
“For many years waste pickers have been the ‘missing link’ who remove recyclables from the waste stream and supply them to the recycling industry.
“They have played an important role in South Africa achieving a recycling rate equal to many European countries,” said environmental affairs spokesperson Albi Modise.
The workshop provided insight into recyclers, their work and contribution in the waste management sector.
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Findings of the “Lessons from Waste Pickers Integration Initiatives” research by the University of the Witwatersrand funded by the departments was presented during the workshop.
Project leader Doctor Melanie Samson said waste pickers have valuable insights into how to make recycling viable and effective in South Africa.
“There is a clear commitment that waste pickers must be involved in decision-making process about issues that affect them,” she said.
She said waste pickers should be seen by residents, industry and the government as active and equal participants in political, economic, social, cultural and environmental processes.
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