The partnership between producer responsibility organisation Polyco and the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) has led to waste reclaimers being provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) packs containing a safety suit, safety boots, socks, gloves, a hard hat, a safety vest, masks, earplugs and a bag.

Polyco has invested R500 000 into these facilities, including the provision of trolleys to waste reclaimers to increase their mobility and reduce the physical strain of transporting recyclables on a daily basis.

Further, the Western Cape DEA&DP identified five high-impact recycling buy-back centres that would benefit from additional resources, namely Henque Waste in George, Masiqhame Trading in Plettenberg Bay, Piketberg Civils in Piketberg, Speckled Tortoise in Vredendal, and C&D in Vredenburg.

The partnership recognises the essential role waste reclaimers play in the Western Cape’s circular economy, with between 80% to 90% of all recycled plastic packaging and paper in the country collected by them, and aims to support waste reclaimers across the province.

The informal waste sector is a significant contributor to the waste and circular economy, and plays a pivotal role in reducing waste to landfill, the Western Cape DEA&DP says.

The provision of the trolleys to these municipal areas creates opportunities for the integration of the waste reclaimers within the existing municipal waste system, improves their livelihoods and contributes to the diversion efforts implemented by the municipalities.

By equipping waste reclaimers with the necessary tools and safety gear, the partnership aims to support their health, safety and productivity, the organisations say.

Further, the organisations aim to continue expanding this partnership to enhance local recycling initiatives, so that more communities and waste reclaimers benefit from accessible recycling facilities, and resulting in a resource-efficient society and cleaner province.

"Waste reclaimers are essential contributors to creating a circular economy in both the Western Cape and the rest of the country. This partnership highlights how public responsibility organisations and government can cooperate to ensure waste reclaimers are equipped to become more productive and work safely for the benefit of their communities and the environment,” says Polyco CEO Patricia Pillay.