You see them out on the streets all the time, with their rickety trolleys and massive loads - the waste reclaimers, or waste pickers as they're also sometimes known. But who are these men and women and why is their labor-intensive work so important? 

Today we're shining the spotlight on our waste reclaimers and the vital role they play in South Africa's waste management system. 

What Do Waste Reclaimers Do?

Waste reclaimers spend their days collecting, sorting, and selling recyclable materials like glass, cardboard, or plastic. Their efforts, while helping them support their families, help divert a significant amount of recyclable materials from landfills and contribute to South Africa's impressive recycling rate of around 57%.

The Challenges of Waste Pickers

Many waste pickers in South Africa often come from marginalized communities and face significant socio-economic challenges. These men and women often lack access to formal employment opportunities and may have limited education or skills. For many with these limited options, waste picking becomes a means of survival, providing them an income to support themselves and their families and contribute to the informal economy.

And while the work of waste pickers is essential, they often face discrimination and exclusion as many people don't realize the impact of their efforts. They are frequently overlooked and undervalued by society, despite their vital contribution to waste management and the environment. 

Thankfully, efforts are being made to address these issues through initiatives like waste picker integration, which aims to formalize their work and provide them with better working conditions and social support. 

Our Mobile Recycling Initiative

The Waste Trade Company is proud to lead the way with initiatives such as our Packa-Ching mobile recycling unit, which brings the recycling station to the people and allows them to exchange their materials for cash. A Packa-Ching recycling unit consists of a recycling collection truck and trailer that services communities at designated sites on set day/s every week - a real win/win for everyone!

How To Support Waste Reclaimers

There are ways for everyone to support our waste pickers and the best place to start is by treating them with the respect and dignity they deserve. The work they do is often time-consuming, dirty, and even dangerous, and most of the men and women engaged in this work do so just to be able to live day to day. 

Without them, we wouldn't recycle as much as we do and we would have to deal with more waste in landfills and the environmental impact of that, so waste pickers truly are the unsung heroes of the waste management world!

We simplify waste management with a range of services to keep your business green and clean! 
Contact us today for a free consultation: 041 486 2204