There is concern that the country is on the verge of an environmental crisis because landfills are rapidly piling up and illegal dumping sites are popping up in communities.

Illegal dumping sites are a threat to the environment and the well-being of communities. More than 90% of waste generated in Africai is disposed of at uncontrolled dumpsites and landfills, often with associated open burning, causing a need for waste management. Refuse is often seen as a cumbersome issue and many businesses avoid taking responsibility for their waste. 

As Africa’s urban growth spiked by 3.55% per annum over the last two decades – a trend expected to continue well into the future – the problem has only become more acute. Africa’s waste generation is expected to reach 244m tonnes per year by 2025ii. This conundrum is a concern that Mafiso Xulu, the founder of MFT Waste Solutions is addressing through his waste management solution.

According to Xulu, he helps companies to reuse and repurpose their waste to avoid it ending up in landfills. Businesses operating in South Africa are legally required to comply with national standards of waste management which stipulate that businesses must take responsibility for their waste to avoid being prosecuted.

Social impact businesses

Entrepreneurs like Xulu are entering the waste management sector to make a meaningful impact. His business, MFT Waste Solutions is based in Boksburg, Gauteng in addition to two warehouses where collected waste is sorted, crushed, and reused. 

Getting the business up and running was not easy. Xulu initially struggled to secure a warehouse to operate from due to financial difficulties. After he rented his first warehouse, he had to ensure it met health and safety requirements and purchase expensive machinery. 

“Once I met all the legal requirements, I was able to start working with big companies like Unilever. We help Unilever to keep hazardous waste out of landfills by treating their waste or crushing it before returning it to the company to reuse,” he said.

Job creation opportunities

With the 244 million tons of waste predicted to be produced in Africa within the next decade, this creates an opportunity for waste to be collected, reused, and recycled and jobs can be created.

“I currently employ over 60 people and 37 of them are from the Tembisa Self-Help Association of the Disabled (T-SHAD) that I work closely with,” he said proudly. As the fight against waste intensifies, there will be loads of business opportunities that can lead to economic growth and job creation. 

He added that there is always work to be done in the waste sector. There is a need for more businesses to work in unserved areas where there are illegal dumping sites. 

“I don’t mind getting my hands dirty because I’m passionate about eradicating landfills and helping companies and communities repurpose their waste," he said.  The growth strategy for MFT Waste Solutions is to collaborate with global companies that are reducing marine litter and pollution. 

Xulu is excited about the future and is proud that his business is creating jobs and positively contributing towards reducing pollution.