Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO), Polyco and the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) are proud to announce a partnership aimed at supporting waste reclaimers across the province. The collaboration recognises the essential role waste reclaimers play in the Western Cape’s circular economy, with between 80 to 90% of all recycled plastic packaging and paper in the country having been collected by them.
Under this partnership, the DEA&DP has identified five high-impact recycling buy-back centres that would benefit from additional resources. Polyco has invested R500 000 into these facilities, including the provision of trolleys to waste reclaimers to increase their mobility and reduce the physical strain of transporting recyclables on a daily basis. Waste reclaimers have also been provided with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) packs containing a safety suit, safety boots, socks, gloves, a hard hat, a safety vest, masks, earplugs and a bag. (See photos here).
The five buy-back centres and the municipalities where they are located are:
- Henque Waste – George Municipality
- Masiqhame Trading 672 Cc – Plettenberg Bay, Bitou Municipality
- Piketberg Civils CC – Piketberg, Bergrivier Municipality
- Speckled Tortoise – Vredendal, Matzikama Municipality
- C&D – Vredenburg, with additional support to Velddrif (Zeevas Cleaning and Supplies) in Bergrivier Municipality
By equipping waste reclaimers with these necessary tools and safety gear, both Polyco and DEA&DP aim to support their health, safety, and productivity.
Patricia Pillay, CEO of Polyco said: “We are extremely proud to have collaborated with the Western Cape DEA&DP to support waste reclaimers who are essential contributors to creating a circular economy in both the Western Cape and the rest of the country. This partnership highlights how Public Responsibility Organisations (PROs) and government can work together to ensure waste reclaimers can be equipped to become more productive and work safely for the benefit of their communities and the environment at large.”
The Department acknowledges the informal waste sector as a significant contributor to the waste and circular economy – playing a pivotal role in reducing waste to landfill. The provision of the trolleys to these municipal areas creates opportunities for the integration of the waste reclaimers within the existing municipal waste system, improves their livelihoods and contributes to the diversion efforts implemented by the Municipalities.
Both Polyco and the Western Cape DEA&DP aim to continue expanding this partnership in order to enhance local recycling initiatives, so that more communities and waste reclaimers benefit from accessible recycling facilities, resulting in a resource-efficient society and cleaner province.
