Waste pickers: Ever wondered why they do what they do?
Ever wondered why waste pickers collect paper, cardboard, glass and aluminium cans from our rubbish bins? All revealed here ...
There are about 26 000 waste pickers in South Africa, collecting paper, cardboard, glass, PET plastics, tin and aluminium cans.
To many, they are an inconvenience on the road with their oversize trolleys, but these people are not only keeping our streets clean but are also responsible for a vast amount of recycling in South Africa.
Ever wondered why and how they do what they do?
These waste pickers are said to be hard-working and driven individuals, who deserve to be treated with dignity. In comes Phahama’s “Cycle for recycling” corporate social responsibility initiative.
Phahama, an organisation for the upliftment of individuals in the waste industry, has shifted the way waste pickers operate with the Phahama Pedal Power Project, to be launched in Johannesburg on 18 July, which is Nelson Mandela International Day.
The project, founded by Clive Harding, builds tricycles and loans them free-of-charge to homeless waste collectors, who sell their wares to be recycled by manufacturers. Through the project, local businesses can sponsor tricycles branded with their logos and information – and thus create a new and innovative form of advertising that’s as philanthropic as it is effective.
• Grassroots upliftment
Sponsoring a Phahama tricycle for the Cycle for Recycle initiative turns a waste collector into an entrepreneur on the road, with a tricycle that improves their productivity and income, whilst also addressing waste management and providing advertising opportunities for businesses looking to get their name out there.
The ‘trikeneurs’ are sourced through referrals from buy-back centres. They receive uniforms, monthly stipends and a tricycle with bins to collect waste.
• Improving livelihoods
Waste pickers are often marginalised in society, with their work stigmatised as undignified.
“Waste pickers aren’t formalised and integrated into the waste economy and face exploitation from buy-back centres,” said project founder Clive Harding. “They face serious health and safety challenges. Some walk up to 40km a day and only earn an average of R300 a week.”
The project assists these individuals with self-sustaining micro-businesses and an opportunity for growth. Not only does this employment restore dignity, it means they can support themselves and their families. The tricycles are easier to move, have a triple-braking system and can carry up to 300kg. Waste collectors are held accountable and report back to project coordinators on a regular basis.
• Safety in shelter
Many waste pickers are homeless, so the Phahama project has also partnered with Good Night South Africa, which creates and distributes back-pack beds. Each of the beneficiaries of the project will also receive a back-pack bed.
Founder of Good Night South Africa, Iain Johnston, believes the back-packs are – for some – a life-saving form of mobile shelter that protect the human rights of people sleeping on the street.
• A sustainable project
The Phahama Pedal Power Project has been rolled out in two provinces so far; in Gauteng, with 12 tricycles, and in the Western Cape, with 11 tricycles – with hopes to expand throughout the country.
The target is to secure another 35 tricycles by 18 July. There are currently 20 entrepreneurs on the project, 80 per cent being women who are actively involved in the project in Bram Fischerville and Soweto.
About 60 families are supported through the programme, which will continue to stimulate job creation and broaden SMEs participation in the waste sector. The project has gained much momentum and many organisations and businesses like Pick n Pay have become contributors.
The Phahama Pedal Power Project aims to grow a nationwide network that places value and emphasis on skills development and dignity through employment, while protecting the environment – with the help and support of willing, conscious South African businesses.
• Details: For more information on the Phahama and Good Night South Africa Cycle for Recycle Initiative or to sponsor a tricycle, contact Willem Lindeque on 076 423 6570 and walindeque@gmail.com or nicole@gullanandgullan.com
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