Stories of people and places:

Finding solutions to problems can create work

Energy from waste can be used to generate heat or electricity, which has the potential to replace energy from fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This implies green industry and green jobs.

At the same time, recycling reduces the number of new materials that need to be produced. Individuals can play their part by sorting their waste at home, but it hasn’t always been easy to interpret recycling labels. This is why WWF South Africa worked with big retailers like Clicks, Food Lovers Market, Pick n Pay, Spar, Shoprite and Woolworths to launch standardised recycling instructions. In 2019, they launched simple and unambiguous labels in collaboration with participating brands.

Building classrooms from single-use plastic

Building classrooms from single-use plastic

The Earthly Touch Foundation builds classrooms out of eco-bricks for a local social outreach project in Diepsloot. With a team of experienced designers and builders, Earthly Touch Foundation has created or had donations of more than 60 000 eco-bricks, which are 2...

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Waste reclaimers have a bad rep. Why?

Waste reclaimers have a bad rep. Why?

In leafy suburbs with regular waste removal, residents are generally happy with the services they are getting. But they are, however, suspicious about the intentions of the different waste reclaimers that frequent their neighbourhoods on rubbish collection days. The...

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Informal economies need support

Informal economies need support

One of the major needs in getting waste management systems right is the better inclusion and recognition of informal waste reclaimers. The thousands of individuals across the country who are waste reclaimers provide a major free service to municipalities and...

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Making a living off the dump

Making a living off the dump

Themba is in his 30s and is a waste reclaimer living in Diepsloot. He travels through the settlement with his wooden cart and large bags, searching the dumpsites for cardboard, paper, plastic and metal. Glass bottles, he says, are not worth collecting “because you...

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Don’t litter because you think it’s creating jobs

Don’t litter because you think it’s creating jobs

Why do people litter? This question was the focus of a 2022 study published in the South African Journal of Science. Over 300 residents in a number of lower-income communities were surveyed to understand their subjective perceptions about why people litter. Their...

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