The Parktown Reclaimer Sorting and Solar Baling Hub was launched in May 2024 and provides a secure, structured work space that has transformed waste management, while uplifting the reclaimers who run it.

The facility has, thus far, diverted more than 90 t of recyclable waste from landfills and was established through a partnership between producer responsibility organisation Polyco, informal waste reclaimers organisation Urban Surfer and financial services firm Hollard Insurance.

The hub continues to provide reclaimers with the necessary facilities and essential tools to do their job. This includes dedicated sorting and storage areas, safe sleeping quarters with basic sanitation facilities, a solar-powered baling machine and GPS-tracked trolleys, the partner organisations said ahead of Global Recycling Day on March 18.

Over the past ten months, 3 465 km of waste collection have been logged on the tracking system, diverting 92 553 kg of recyclable waste.

Meanwhile, reclaimers' collection volumes and earnings have increased by more than 100%.

For a decade, informal waste reclaimers in the Johannesburg suburb worked in unsafe conditions, sorting recyclables on the roadside without shelter or infrastructure. The partnership was formed in response to this, they added.

“The Parktown Hub is proof that collaborative efforts can uplift reclaimers and drive sustainability,” said Polyco CEO Patricia Pillay.

“The hub has evolved into a self-sustaining enterprise where reclaimers manage their own operations and support a wider recycling network. It integrates innovation, sustainability and social impact to revolutionise waste management and uplift informal reclaimers,” she said.

“Reclaimers are the backbone of South Africa’s recycling economy. The success of our Parktown reclaimer sorting and solar baling hub has proven that structured spaces significantly improve reclaimer income and working conditions and that, with proper support, their impact is transformative,” said Urban Surfer director Sifiso Gumbi.

Urban Surfer waste reclaimer Herman Makwana said that, initially before the establishment of the hub, he saw waste reclaiming as a way of getting something to eat and move on.

“Now, I consider waste picking as a serious job. Through this job, I can do a lot of things, and I see it as a way to change my life for the better and achieve greater things,” he said.

Hollard intends to divert our recyclable waste to the hub, ensuring a steady supply of recyclable materials into the hub, said Hollard Insurance Group Shared Service head Kyle McWilliam.

“This is not just simply for corporate sustainability goals, it is about being part of something bigger, including by creating jobs and income for reclaimers in South Africa who play such a crucial role in our country and its economy,” he said.

Building on this success, the partners' plan is to expand this model to other urban areas, which will further enhance the role of reclaimers in the circular economy while promoting environmental sustainability.

Further, Polyco remains committed to driving impactful recycling initiatives, working with stakeholders to provide reclaimers and communities with the resources they need to thrive, the organisation said.