African Reclaimers Organisation: Turning waste into jobs and a greener future

John Perlman interviews Luyanda Hlatshwayo, African Reclaimers Organisation (ARO) Spokesperson and Business Development Manager.

Listen below. 

After encountering nearly three years of stalled negotiations with the City of Johannesburg regarding the integration of informal waste pickers, the African Reclaimers Organisation (ARO) has taken initiative by establishing a sorting centre in Selby, south of Johannesburg.

Reclaimers earn their livelihood by sorting and collecting recyclable materials from waste, which they then sell to buy-back centres.

The sorting centre, operational for over a year, quickly became financially sustainable, covering wages and operational expenses within six months.

Currently employing 27 individuals and with a membership of over 5500 reclaimers in and around the city, there is significant potential for job creation through the expansion of these centres, says Hlatshwayo.

Having the City onboard will enable reclaimers to work with dignity and assists the City and industry in combating climate change, he adds.

He notes that as things stand, Johannesburg lacks the necessary infrastructure to manage the city's waste output effectively.

RELATED: Plumstead to formalise bin-pickers: 'We believe they're recyclers'

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"The warehouse in Selby is a mere template."

- Luyanda Hlatshwayo, Spokesperson and Business Development Manager – African Reclaimers Organisation 

"The amount of waste coming out in Johannesburg; we don't have the infrastructure to facilitate it."

- Luyanda Hlatshwayo, Spokesperson and Business Development Manager – African Reclaimers Organisation 

"We need to work together in finding ways to integrate policy to make sure it matches what we are doing."

- Luyanda Hlatshwayo, Spokesperson and Business Development Manager – African Reclaimers Organisation 

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