Pic: A DARDLEA official educating informal waste pickers about recycling
By Lwazi Ra
The sight of a man or woman pushing a trolley through the streets sorting bottles and cardboard from bins, dodging insults and traffic, is common in many communities.
Their activities of informal waste pickers are generally regarded as an irritation by those looking from a distance, but they are trying to make an honest living.
Over 100 informal waste pickers were given a new point of view about themselves and the job they do during a Waste Management Workshop facilitated by Mpumalanga DARDLEA(Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs), PETCO, and Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, at the Adelaide Tambo Community Hall in Mhluzi, Middleburg.
DARDLEA said the attendants, including Zonda Insila Programme participants, and buyback centres like Smart Recycling, Waste Man, Eco Circle, Silver Link and Isibane Eco Invasion, received valuable information on waste management and how to run successful recycling businesses.
“ The workshop, covered tips on how to separate and sort waste according to different categories, but most importantly, how to make money from recyclables,” said DARDLEA.
Officials from the Department of Health reportedly covered issues of hygiene, and handling hazardous waste, which is a key concern for pickers who often work without gloves or masks, thus risking the possibility of illnesses and infections.
The participants walked out of the Adelaide Tambo Community Hall not as “men and women with trollies”, but business owners in training.
The workshop helped them to confidently own their role of contributing towards preserving the environment by recycling waste and keeping their surroundings clean, as well as putting food on the table for their loved ones.
