The dignity of reclaiming: supporting informal waste collectors

They are easy to overlook — the people pushing trolleys piled high with bottles and cardboard, sorting through what others throw away. Yet South Africa's informal waste reclaimers recover an enormous share of the material that gets recycled in this country. Recognising, respecting and supporting their work is not only the right thing to do; it's essential to making recycling work.

The scale of their contribution

Informal reclaimers are the foundation of South African recycling. Hundreds of thousands of people make a living this way, and they are responsible for recovering a large proportion of post-consumer packaging that ends up recycled. They do this with little formal support, often in difficult and unsafe conditions, saving municipalities money and keeping vast quantities of material out of landfill.

Simply put: without reclaimers, South Africa's recycling rates would collapse.

The challenges they face

Despite their importance, reclaimers often work without:

• Safety — exposure to traffic, sharp materials and the elements
• Fair, stable income — vulnerable to exploitative buyers and volatile prices
• Recognition — frequently stigmatised rather than respected
• Access to formal systems — banking, equipment and reliable buyers

Addressing these isn't charity. It's how you build a stronger, more reliable recycling system for everyone.

What dignified support looks like

WasteGo Green's approach is built on treating reclaimers as the skilled, essential workers they are:

• Fair, transparent pricing. Honest scales and clear rates, so collectors are never short-changed.
• Safe, convenient access. Buyback days close to communities and digital payment that removes cash risk.
• Proper equipment. Purpose-built collection trolleys and safety gear that make work safer and more productive.
• A reliable buyer. Collectors always have somewhere to sell, even when markets fluctuate.
• A path to grow. Support to move from individual collecting to running small enterprises.

Why formalisation matters

Bringing reclaimers into more formal, supported systems benefits everyone. It gives collectors stability and safety, gives recyclers a more reliable supply of quality material, and helps cities meet diversion targets. National policy increasingly recognises this, with growing emphasis on integrating reclaimers into the waste economy and ensuring EPR funds reach the people doing the collecting.

Changing how we see this work

Perhaps the most important shift is cultural. Reclaiming recyclables is honest, valuable, environmental work. The person sorting your discarded bottles is reducing pollution, saving landfill space and feeding local manufacturing. They deserve the same respect as anyone else keeping our city running.

How you can help

• Sort your recyclables so collectors can recover them safely and easily.
• Don't contaminate recycling with food or rubbish.
• Support fair buyback operators rather than exploitative middlemen.
• Treat collectors with respect — a small thing that means a lot.

Dignity as the foundation

A recycling system built on the backs of people who are exploited and ignored cannot last. One built on dignity, fair pay and safety can grow and thrive. By honouring the reclaimers who power our circular economy, we build something stronger — for the environment, the economy and the people who make it all possible.

Want to collect with dignity or support those who do? Connect with WasteGo Green.