GUIDE: How to support local waste reclaimers

For residents of middle class and affluent urban areas

STEP 1: Sort your waste. Separate out and wash your recyclables.
TIPS FOR YOU:

Put things made from the same material into one container and label it, i.e. paper, glass, plastic, metal, etc. This makes it easy for waste recyclers to receive your waste for recycling. Organic waste can be composted.

Guide to sorting your waste >
STEP 2: Encourage your neighbours to join you in sorting at source.
TIPS FOR YOU:

Work with your neighbours to promote recycling and keep public spaces clean. No problem is too big for individuals to make a difference. Big or small, our actions add up. Let’s create change together.
STEP 3: Contact African Reclaimers Organisation (ARO) at africanreclaimers@gmail.com if you'd like to meet with your local waste reclaimers. ARO can create a resident-reclaimers separation at source programme in your area.
TIPS FOR YOU:

The African Reclaimers Organisation (ARO) collaborates with residents in a number of neighborhoods to implement an efficient separation at source recycling service provided by reclaimers.

Contact ARO >
STEP 4: Donate towards protective gear and other support for waste reclaimers, through organisations like ARO.
TIPS FOR YOU:

Reclaimers are an essential part of waste management and recycling processes. We can support their crucial role in reducing environmental impact and promoting a circular economy.

Donate to ARO >
STEP 5: Support local waste entrepreneurs who create business and social incentives for waste reclaimers.
TIPS FOR YOU:

Our first focus must be on moving towards a circular, reduced-waste economy so supporting local businesses working towards this can make a big difference.

See what others are doing >

For local municipalities

STEP 1: Promote job creation in the waste management sector by developing inclusive and sustainable recycling value chains, and focusing on opportunities for the most vulnerable and marginalised communities in your area.
STEP 2: Empower waste reclaimers to turn plastic into a profitable business. Potential users of waste material are often not aware of potential suppliers. Create a system where potential buyers can source available materials.

For activists and social entrepreneurs

Create social and economic incentives. Across the country, there are examples of buy-back programmes that allow waste reclaimers to exchange recyclables not only for money, but in some cases for food, toiletries, clothing or various social incentives.
TIPS FOR YOU:

We’ve collected some examples of successful waste initiatives that support waste reclaimers, create value from waste and address unequal and inadequate waste removal services.

See what others are doing >

For national government

Support the implementation of the National Guideline for Waste Picker Integration in South Africa.
TIPS FOR YOU:

The Guideline explains why waste picker integration is important; who waste pickers are, how they work, and the importance of recognising their contributions; what waste picker integration is; and how to develop, institutionalise and implement waste picker integration plans.

Access the guideline >

Learn more about what others are doing

Key message: Our first focus must be on moving towards a circular, reduced-waste economy

What would this society look like? These are some suggestions from the Zero Waste Association of South Africa:

People’s food sovereignty is reclaimed. Instead, we grow toxic-free, healthy food to feed families and not just to profit. We minimise food waste by redistributing surplus food before it loses its nutritional qualities.
Durable, reusable products are favoured over disposable ones.
Recyclables are managed locally. And where waste-worker groups or cooperatives exist, they are involved in the whole waste management system.
Grassroots waste workers and waste reclaimers are recognised, protected and remunerated.
Waste exports no longer perpetuate colonialism, injustice and inequity.
Waste incineration – in any form – is eliminated from waste management programmes.

Common challenges

Companies lack incentives to reduce waste

Government can drive legislation and incentives for companies to reduce waste.
Consumers can dis-invest from high waste-producing companies.
Social entrepreneurs in the waste economy can help channel corporate social responsibility investments towards a circular economy.

People don’t know how / what to separate at source

Government, civil society and individuals can drive awareness and education to support separation at source.

Waste reclaimers are under-supported, or worse, degraded

Government can support the integration and recognition of waste reclaimers into local waste management systems.
Civil society can raise awareness about the critical role of waste reclaimers in diverting inorganic waste from landfills.
Individuals can support waste reclaimers in their neighbourhood by separating and washing recyclable waste at source and supporting waste reclaimer cooperatives.

Illegal dumping attracts more illegal dumping

Government, civil society and individuals can drive awareness and education to support separation at source.