Informal recyclers were on the receiving end when the MEC for Economic Development, Agriculture, Environment and Rural Development handed over three-wheeler vehicles (Tuk-Tuks) to them on Tuesday afternoon. The handover is in line with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (GDARD) priority to intensify and accelerate sustainable waste management actions at community level.
The department believes informal waste pickers make a significant contribution to the recovery of recyclable materials that could have otherwise ended in the landfill sites across the Province. The GDARD has opted to support recycling projects that will focus on integrating and formalizing informal waste recyclers (Waste Cooperatives and SMMEs) into the mainstream waste recycling economy.
According to waste management researcher and University of the Western Cape Professor, Rinie Schenck, informal waste pickers recycle 90% of the recyclables collected from households in South Africa. Their contribution saves municipalities millions in landfill space every year.
MEC Morakane Mosupyoe agreed with the Professor’s sentiments and stated, “This project is a direct response to the Gauteng Provincial Government’s quest to create environmentally sustainable development corridors, and formalize waste pickers with the aim of achieving the objectives of the solidarity economy.”
