Africa

Some of the members of ARO who attended the dialogue with members of the public on the 2nd September 2018

Landfill and street recyclers for the first time united and organized in South Africa

African Reclaimers Organisation | Region Africa | Jan 15, 2019

On the 2nd Septemeber 2018, African Reclaimers Organisation (ARO) introduced itself to the broader public as the first organisation of recyclers that united those who work in landf...

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In Accra, Kpone landfill organization small steps, big horizon

Johnson Doe | Region Africa | Dec 21, 2018

Inspired by CTEP, the Argentinean union of popular economy workers, specially by waste pickers achievements in Buenos Aires organized in FACCyR, Kpone Landfill Waste Pickers Associ...

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Violent Assault of Waste Pickers Near Genesis Landfill, Johannesburg

GlobalRec | Region Africa | Jul 07, 2018

On June 20th, at least 70 reclaimers (waste pickers) were violently attacked in a raid by the Red Ants, a private security company specialising in evictions. The attack took place ...

Denunciations

Another massive fire in Mbeubeuss landfill in Dakar, show support!

Jenna Harvey | Region Africa | Feb 21, 2018

On Sunday the 11th of February 2018 a massive fire broke out at the Mbeubeuss waste dump in Dakar, Senegal. According to recent estimates, there are 2,500 waste pickers who earn th...

Landfills

Waste Pickers March against displacement in Tshwane (South Africa)

SAWPA | Region Africa | Oct 30, 2017

In response to failure of the City of Tshwane (Gauteng, South Africa) to respond to waste pickers demands such as support for their livelihoods, and failure to employ 261 waste pic...

Rallies

Remembering Reuben – Waste Picker Leader Murdered Outside Central Johannesburg

GlobalRec | Region Africa | Oct 12, 2017

Reuben Sandile Oupa Mbambisa, a 52-year-old waste picker/reclaimer and active member of the Johannesburg Reclaimers Committee, was brutally murdered in the early hours of September...

Solidarity

Waste Pickers from 3 Continents Exchange Experiences and Knowledge in South Africa

Adapted from SAWPA/groundWork | Region Africa | Sep 20, 2017

In August 2017, waste picker leaders from Brazil and India traveled to South Africa for an international exchange hosted by the South African Waste Pickers Association (SAWPA) and ...

Trainings

Reclaimers of the City of Joburg marched to protest a new source segregation program

GlobalRec | Region Africa | Jul 19, 2017

Reclaimers (waste pickers) from 7 regions of the City of Joburg (Johannesburg, South Africa) marched to protest a new source segregation program which could threaten their liveliho...

Rallies

Johannesburg’s New Waste Programme Threatens Reclaimers’ Work

Interim Joburg Reclaimers Committee/Association | Region Africa | Jul 06, 2017

On July 1st, contracts signed by the City of Johannesburg’s Pikitup with private recycling companies will come into effect, threatening the livelihoods of hundreds of informal st...

Privatization

A massive fire in Mbeubeuss landfill (Senegal)

Adama Soumaré | Region Africa | Jan 02, 2017

The Mbeubeuss garbage dump has again caught fire. In 2012, the village of Gouy-gui experienced a similar fate as raging flames caused significant damage. But this Thursday, Decembe...

Landfills

South Africa progresses towards integrating waste pickers

Musa Chamane, GroundWork | Region Africa | Jul 18, 2016

“Waste pickers are an integral part of the waste management system, and they help to divert recyclables away from landfills” – Minister Edna Molewa From the 31st to the 2nd o...

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Durban loses a legend: Informal Recycler Afrika Ntuli

Tasmi Quazi, Asiye Etafuleni | Region Africa | Jul 05, 2016

On the eve of 31 May 2016, renowned Durban informal recycler, Afrika Ntuli, shockingly passed away after being knocked by a motor vehicle at a pedestrian crossing near his place of...

Press Releases Solidarity

Hazardous waste incinerator rubber stamped

GroundWork | Region Africa | Apr 17, 2016

In mid-November 2015, the KwaZulu-Natal Department for Economic Development, Tourism & Environmental Affairs (KZN DEDTEA) (Ugu District) granted an Environmental Authorisation ...

Incineration

An influx of waste-to-energy projects in South Africa

Musa Chamane, GroundWork campaigner | Region Africa | Apr 13, 2016

Due to various challenges experienced by the government regarding waste, incinerators have been pitched as a solution, when in fact they are a false solution. Waste companies, incl...

Incineration

Towards a solid organization of waste pickers in Sierra Leone

Chris Bonner (WIEGO) | Region Africa | Jul 21, 2015

Aaron A Boima is an informal trader in Freetown, and the Secretary General of the Sierra Leone Traders Union (SLeTU). He is also the Co-ordinator of eight informal economy workers�...

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Pietermaritzburg drops the ball on sustainable jobs initiative

Musa Chamane, GroundWork | Region Africa | Jul 20, 2015

Fifteen waste recyclers brought a municipal waste management meeting to an hour-long standstill last Thursday at the Harry Gwala Stadium. Open to everyone residing within the uMgun...

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An interview with Thulisiwe Khumalo, woman waste picker and leader

Vanessa Pillay, WIEGO ORP Consultant | Region Africa | Jul 02, 2015

Thulisiwe started working on a dumpsite five years ago for Wetland Recycling a company owned by a white man. However, in 2013 after three years of being subjected to irregular wage...

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Women waste pickers discuss strategies for recognition at a Cape Town workshop

Vanessa Pillay, WIEGO ORP Consultant | Region Africa | Jul 02, 2015

On 26-27 May 2015, 30 women waste pickers gathered at Community House in Salt River Cape Town. They gathered at a workshop facilitated by WIEGO in partnership with the Internationa...

Trainings

A study about waste pickers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Joshua Palfreman | Region Africa | May 13, 2015

Abstract Waste recycling in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania is not spearheaded by any government, private or civil society initiative but rather by the efforts of an informal army of self-...

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Struggling for unity: women waste pickers in South Africa

Nandi Vanqa-Mgijima, International Labour Research & Information Group (ILRIG) | Region Africa | Apr 15, 2015

Many men, women and children from working class communities make a living through waste-picking by collecting, sorting, recycling, and selling materials that someone else has throw...

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Pagination