A dump for recyclable material can now be located opposite the N1 Johannesburg turn-off on Olifantisfontein Road near Kia Motors.
Read also: 10K Cityrun helps manage waste
But, waste management company, Remade, which collects the waste from the dump area, has ensured they have a licence to place recyclable waste on that land. Two waste pickers guard the recyclable goods day and night, meaning they don’t return to their homes, but sleep in the bushes to ensure the safety of their collection.
According to marketing and PR manager of Remade, Micaella Hattingh, Midrand residents need not worry about the cleanliness of their community because this is a legal dump, offering waste pickers an opportunity to make money to feed their families. She added that payment is determined by the market price of that particular grade of plastic or other materials, and once Remade has collected the waste, the recyclers receive in the region of R1 000.
According to Hattingh, the company has nine branches around Gauteng and all have licensed permits from municipalities to store waste. Remade is a member of the Institute of Waste Management South Africa and has relations with the Department of Environmental Affairs.
They encourage residents to assist by bringing their recyclable goods – mainly plastic bottles – to the waste pickers in the area for collection. The waste pickers collect bottles and other recyclable material and leave it in the above-mentioned area. There is neither fencing, nor security in the area.
