Informal Waste Reclaimers
HI marvelous citizens! ✊
LET'S TALK
Informal waste reclaimers (IWR) also known as the unspoken of economic growth contributors, collect discarded items that would normally end up in landfills and sell to recycling plants for a minimum wage that can only buy food. Their work saves municipalities R780 million in landfill space alone, excluding waste removal trucking and fuel.
With most African cities grappling with the effects of overflowing waste systems - The waste arena. IWR have proven to play a highly beneficial role through sustainable reclaiming especially across five African cities Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda.
Waste reclaimers in the informal waste sector collect high-value post-consumer products for selling as input materials into the recycling economy (increased GDP). For many, this is their entire livelihood, which in most cases their contribution remains predominantly unacknowledged, which requires intentional recognition and support through policy measures.
More than 140,000 informal reclaimers in South Africa make a living by sorting and recycling waste. They work endlessly to merely survive and yet provide a basic environmental service for free which the government is struggled with.
The government overlooks them, and we often pride ourselves in being active taxpayers who cover R378.5 billion for grants and look to the streets with confusion and anger as we see an IWR picking through our bins. Thier subject to social stigma, face poor working conditions, are frequently harassed and are not seen as part of the official recycling system.
We have to realize that it's up to us to stand up, create and implement innovation that matters to our communities to resolve this even if it means recycling that bottle of coke in your fridge for a plastic vase or bird feeder.
and remember next time you see a Recyling trolly taking over in your lane and going over 60km/h it's for a good cause! 💚
It's good to know that there are people out there who recognise their hard work. They really do deserve more support from local municipalities!
ReplyDeleteI’m my opinion, the info is very helpful making us aware the recyclers we see every now and then, showing us that it’s for a good cause.
ReplyDeleteJust imagine how easy it would be for them if we were at least sorting and separating our waste at source.
ReplyDeleteAlso, separating and sorting at source will decrease chances of cross contamination of waste.
Thank you for highlighting this. I hope that the IWR will get the recognition they deserve.