South Africa progresses towards integrating waste pickers
“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...
GLOBAL ALLIANCE OF
WASTE PICKERS
WASTE PICKERS
The Global Alliance of Waste Pickers is a networking process supported by WIEGO, among thousands of waste picker organizations with groups in more than 28 countries covering mainly Latin America, Asia and Africa.
Supported by
Africa
Durban loses a legend: Informal Recycler Afrika Ntuli
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...
Hazardous waste incinerator rubber stamped
In mid-November 2015, the KwaZulu-Natal Department for Economic Development, Tourism & Environmental Affairs (KZN DEDTEA) (Ugu District) granted an Environmental Authorisation ...
An influx of waste-to-energy projects in South Africa
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...
Towards a solid organization of waste pickers in Sierra Leone
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...
Pietermaritzburg drops the ball on sustainable jobs initiative
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...
An interview with Thulisiwe Khumalo, woman waste picker and leader
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...
Women waste pickers discuss strategies for recognition at a Cape Town workshop
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...
A study about waste pickers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
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-...
Struggling for unity: women waste pickers in South Africa
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...
Recycling facility construction halted by intergovernmental disputes
After waiting for three years for the construction of a materials recycling facility (MRF) at the New England Road landfill site in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal approximately fi...
Book launch of Good Riddance, about the waste pickers of Johannesburg
They’re a familiar sight in Johannesburg—a procession of people, usually men, balaclavas drawn over faces against the cold, hauling mountains of recyclable stuff on homemade tr...
South African waste pickers call on the government to build recycling facility
Approximately 500 waste recyclers or pickers will take to the streets of Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, this week Thursday, December 11th, 2014, after three years of waiting for t...
Zero waste approach is a must in South Africa
Un-recycled waste is a common sight and a sign of an inefficient governance and production system, which adds to the global burden of climate change. A zero waste approach [1] to t...
Promote climate jobs and deny proposed waste-to-energy incinerator in Kempton Park, South Africa
Dear friends Say what?! Yes, you read it correctly. Hundreds of waste reclaimers and small recyclers in South Africa stand to lose their climate-friendly jobs and be forced to retu...
Four pilot projects in the works: an update from the South African Waste Pickers’ Association
SAWPA has been in negotiations with government at all levels about their recognition, particularly receiving recognition in some municipal areas that has since resulted in new projects on the ground. There are various projects in which SAWPA members are involved.
South African waste pickers registering as tire collectors
The South African Waste Pickers’ Association (SAWPA) are in the process of registering with REDISA as tyre collectors and/or transporters. Waste pickers are already in the business of recycling and this plan is just adding one more waste stream to collect.
Msunduzi municipality puts job creation project on back-burner
Instead of supporting the local social economy, Msunduzi Municipality has signed an agreement with Wildlands Conservation Trust to take all recyclable waste from Pietermaritzburg.
South African waste pickers call on their government to stop incineration projects
SAWPA came together in November to object to the proposal by EnviroServ to construct a waste incineration facility at the Chloorkop waste site, calling on the government to deny EnviroServ permission to build a waste incinerator facility at Chloorkop.
Nov. 8 march against incineration: Waste incineration is wasting jobs in South Africa!
Despite South Africa’s waste management legislation stipulating that incineration be the last resort in waste disposal, approximately 300 waste pickers on the Chloorkop landfill in Kempton Park are set to lose their jobs as a result of Enviroserve’s proposed waste-to-energy incinerator.