Who Owns Whom

Most of the approximately 125 million tonnes of solid waste generated in South Africa annually ends up in landfill sites. This should be of concern to all the country’s citizens.

Population growth versus services delivered

Refuse removal service is delivered to fewer households than those recorded between 2010 and 2018 and is non-existent in informal settlements and impoverished urban areas, resulting in the proliferation of illegal dumping sites, littering, and open burning of waste.

There are two glaring realities associated with this problem. One is the available opportunities for job creation and small business development that can result in positive economic activities, and the other is the impact on the environment, ocean life, and quality of water.

There was increased awareness about the status of our oceans during the pandemic, when everything and everyone was grounded. A disturbing documentary showed a turtle being rescued with a straw stuck in its nose. The question that came to my mind was how many other animals get hurt and die due to littering?

How South Africa compares to other countries on waste management

When one looks at how other countries are addressing increasing waste, it becomes clear that South Africa is lagging, particularly considering we have a very progressive National Environmental Management: Waste Act and strategy with circular economy principles with the following intentions.

  • Waste minimisation: 45% of waste to be diverted from landfill within five years, 55% within 10 years and at least 70% within 15 years, leading to zero waste going to landfill.
  • Effective and sustainable waste services: All South Africans to live in clean communities with waste services that are well managed and financially sustainable.
  • Compliance, enforcement and awareness: Mainstreaming of waste awareness and a culture of compliance, with zero tolerance of pollution, litter, and illegal dumping.

A sore sight in cities

Any city dweller in South Africa has witnessed the proliferation of waste pickers who rummage through waste to find valuable materials such as glass, cardboard, paper and plastic for selling.

The Labour Research Service indicated that South Africa’s potential to be the world leader in a just transition for waste pickers is at risk because of weak implementation, monitoring, and enforcement.

Opportunities in waste management

A reclaimer pulls a trolley full of waste after a graffiti artist has sprayed it as part of an initiative to make their graffiti art mobile and make reclaimers more visible and identifiable in Johannesburg on November 2, 2021. (AFP/Guillem Sartorio)

The business sector, through enterprise development and social responsibility initiatives, has the potential to move away from only paying a handful of registered waste pickers by finding creative ways to bring smaller waste pickers into the system, particularly because they are clearly prepared to go to areas many consider to be dangerous.

It is heart-wrenching to see that municipalities themselves, instead of finding ways of formalising waste pickers and remunerating them fairly, would rather issue tenders that only benefit a few.

Who Owns Whom’s report on solid waste management in South Africa indicates that the waste industry value chain generated an estimated revenue of R36.4bn in 2023, with municipalities collectively billing around R6.4bn for refuse collection services. The sector provides more than 30,000 formal jobs and supports an estimated 90,000 informal jobs. This is not a small industry.

As the country struggles to create jobs with a stagnating economy, one wonders why the government does not capitalise on this opportunity and provide much needed dignity to hard-working members of society such as the waste pickers.

While the country struggles with weak enforcement, illegal dumping, and under-serviced communities, other nations such as India’s waste-to-energy plants showcase how innovative policies and technologies can transform waste into value.

Cooperatives and associations in Brazil

Brazil’s government regularised the waste picking operation through cooperatives that provide fair wages, collective bargaining power and social benefits.

Brazil’s waste pickers association advocates for their rights and inclusion, enabling a transition from informal, exploitative conditions to dignified, structured employment.

The examples and opportunities are endless for South Africa to learn from. What is required is  the will to tackle the challenge whilst creating employment and ensuring a cleaner and safer environment to live in.

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