Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Michelle Banda
Published on 2024-04-11 20:37:34
Kabelo Mothoemte, along with seven others, has been living in an informal reclaimer camp in Federation Park in Parktown, Johannesburg since 2017. The camp, located along the M1 highway, serves as both a place of residence and a hub for collecting recyclables in harsh weather conditions. The camp lacks basic facilities like ablution facilities and proper shelter, with recyclables scattered on the ground or piled up in large bags.
Mothoemte, a waste picker for about a decade, explains that they settled in the unoccupied land near recycling centers because it provided easy access to recyclables they could collect. Despite the lack of amenities at the site, Mothoemte finds it more cost-effective than commuting from his home in Orange Farm. He visits his family regularly and refers to Federation Park as his second home, adapting to living there regardless of the weather conditions.
One of Mothoemte’s main challenges is transportation for collecting recyclables and taking them to recycling centers. Currently, the waste pickers at the site have to push their trolleys long distances, making multiple trips to fill a single 300kg bag of recyclables, earning them about R1,500 to R2,000 per month.
To support the informal reclaimers at Federation Park, Urban Surfer, in partnership with Hollard Insurance and Polyco, is working to formalize the camp. This initiative aims to provide upgraded security, essential equipment, and a sustainable living for the recyclers. The partnership also plans to introduce first-mile GPS tracking, on-site baling of recyclables, and skills development beyond recycling to increase the income and efficiency of the waste pickers.
The formalization of the camp is seen as a step towards giving dignity to the reclaimers and their work, as well as integrating them into the waste management value chain. The objective is to create a win-win-win situation where the reclaimers benefit, the neighborhood benefits, and the environment benefits from improved recycling practices.
By addressing challenges such as limited success of cooperatives, undocumented workers, and developing legislation to protect their rights, the partnership hopes to create a more equitable and sustainable future for waste pickers. Integrating waste pickers into formal waste management processes not only benefits the individuals involved but also leads to environmental, social, and economic advantages for the community.
Read the original article on Daily Maverick
