Download PDFIt was not a good Christmas holiday for Johannesburg recyclers, as they were left without an income, this is after most depot sites in Johannesburg closed and exchange prices were reduced during the December holidays.
During the festive season, recyclers collect a large number of materials to take to scrap yards, also because it’s the busiest time of the year and the recyclable materials are everywhere and easily accessible. Unfortunately, most depots in Johannesburg were closed leaving recyclers frustrated and abandoned, this incident highlights the city’s neglect of its most vulnerable waste management workers.
Already, many recyclers struggle to make ends meet by collecting and selling recyclable materials everyday, but during the holiday season, they face additional challenges such as safely storing their collected materials until the depots open and financial struggles of not having enough money to sustain themselves and their families. Another problem recyclers face during festive season is theft among themselves, if they leave their collected material unattended for a prolonged period, others end up taking them.
Miriam Tshabalala (68), who collects empty bottles in Johannesburg CBD, says that during December she kept collecting and keeping his recyclables safe. While Azwidohwi Mbuvha (43) also a recycler in Johannesburg CBD said the depot where he exchanges his materials was opened during the December holidays, the prices were very low as recyclable materials were much easier to find. Due to low exchange prices, he decided to wait for January when the prices are up again to exchange his materials.
“…There are much [more important] responsibilities in January, in December it’s just for fun and pleasure but I’m happy for the decision I took to keep my staff and sell on tougher times said Mr Mbuvha laughing.
The City of Johannesburg’s failure to ensure uninterrupted depot services during the festive season exposes its neglect of the city’s most vulnerable waste management workers. Recyclers play an important role in keeping the city clean. Therefore, by abandoning them during the holidays, the city threatens their livelihoods and undermines its environmental sustainability. The City of Johannesburg needs to address these issues and prioritise the needs of all recyclers throughout the year.
This article was submitted on 17 January 2025. You may republish this article, so long as you credit the authors and Karibu! Online (www.Karibu.org.za), and do not change the text. Please include a link back to the original article.
