Recycling centre blossoms into a bright 2024

THE recycling centre just outside Clermont has helped changed the mindset of people about waste, and it is helping keep the area clean.

Situated next to the Durban Solid Waste (DSW) Clermont Garden Refuse and Transfer Station in Freese Road, the place, which was bare bones with just one container only a year ago, has since blossomed and is making a difference.

The recycling centre, which is the brainchild of New Germany resident and eco-warrior Thozeka Ntlukwane-Letuka, who is very passionate about cleanliness and the environment, said that prior to the opening of the centre, which has been her dream for years, she hosted many clean-ups and trainings about waste management through her environmental company, Big Start.

Also read: Keep these 10 recyclables aside for recycling collectors: Tips to help you recycle

Boasting many awards and titles under her belt, the eco-warrior recently was honoured with a certificate of recognition for Outstanding Contribution to Women Empowerment in the Environment by Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment at the 2023 Women in Environment Dialogue.

“I did this to teach people that waste can be recycled so not everything lands up in the landfill sites which are already piled up.

“The centre is funded by the Presidential Stimulus Fund, Brownie Points, Litter4Tokens and Use-it. We have a project called Good Economy whereby we have registered 100 waste collectors. They each bring in 80 bags a month and get a stipend of R1 700 per month.

“We are also a buy-back centre where we pay a fee to waste collectors for the delivery of recyclables,” she said.

For the eco-warrior, to her, waste is a resource, and people should start looking at it in that manner to change their mindset. The existence of the centre, Ntlukwane-Letuka emphasised, is that it is not a dumping site, but it has truly made a difference.

Also read: New Germany Eco-warrior helps create a waste-free community

She said they receive 80 bags a day and 10 tons of bags a month.

“What I love about this place is that it is within walking distance, and people earn money which help puts food on the table, especially in these tough economic times.

“With climate change being one of the challenges the environment is faced with, collecting waste for recycling is helping minimise pollution. The Aller River is clean; we can now see more bird life.

“We have also noticed that the crime rate has decreased as people are going around collecting waste, bringing it to us, earning an income,” she said.

She advised people to separate the waste and sort it before bringing it to them.

Following the success of her venture, the passionate Ntlukwane-Letuka said she wishes that every township can have a programme like this so our country can be clean and we can prevent litter from going into the oceans.

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