Integrating informal waste reclaiming practices into the formal waste management sector: Madibeng Local Municipality

Abstract

Waste pickers, crucial for waste management, often face poor conditions and legal hurdles. Integrating them requires clear policies, infrastructure, and overcoming challenges like safety risks and resistance to change. Municipalities provide varying levels of support, but effective integration demands collaboration, policies, and infrastructure. Waste picker integration is an area of emerging interest in South Africa. The research focuses on integrating informal waste pickers into South Africa's formal municipal waste management systems, using the Madibeng Local Municipality as a case study. The study employs a mixed-method design, involving 217 participants from different waste picker groups and municipal officials. It sheds light on waste pickers' demographics, working conditions, challenges, and the inconsistent support they receive from municipalities. In Madibeng Local Municipality, the waste picker population is predominantly female, contrasting with other studies on reclaimer groups that reveal diverse gender compositions. The gender distribution of labour within these communities may lead to potential income disparities and highlights the need for targeted interventions to promote gender equity in waste management sectors. The average age of waste pickers is 42 years, with the majority falling within the youth age range. Marital status varies among waste pickers, with a significant percentage being never married or single. Many waste pickers in South Africa are illegally in the country, which hinders their integration into municipal structures. Language proficiency and education levels among waste pickers are generally low, making it difficult for them to secure formal employment. However, some waste pickers have acquired skills through formal and informal training. Understanding the demographic profile of waste pickers is crucial for addressing their specific needs and improving their overall well-being. Waste pickers, who collect and reclaim reusable and recyclable materials from discarded waste, play a valuable role in waste management by reducing landfill waste and recovering valuable materials for recycling. They often face poor working conditions, health and safety risks, low social status, and extreme poverty. Waste pickers primarily collect recyclable waste from shops, businesses, households, schools, and industrial areas. The most frequently collected waste types are cans, plastic, glass, paper, and cardboard. Waste pickers typically work long hours, starting early in the morning and finishing in the afternoon, and work an average of 8 hours and 33 minutes per day. They work different days per week, with the majority working seven days. Waste pickers rely on various means of transportation, such as trolleys, to transport recyclable waste. They store their collected recyclables in bags, crates, drums, containers, or rented spaces before selling them. The majority of waste pickers sell their recyclable waste to private individuals, while some sell to buy-back centres or waste depots. Waste pickers in Madibeng travel long distances, often on foot, to sell their recyclable waste at buy-back centres. They are willing to travel longer distances for better prices. The income of waste pickers varies based on factors such as location, type of work, quantity and value of waste, buy-back centre, and gender. Women tend to earn less than male waste pickers. Access to shelter is crucial for waste pickers' well-being, and their living conditions vary. Food shortages can occur, particularly on rainy days. Waste pickers often work independently but form supportive networks. The waste picker population is growing, and they are often unaware of waste management regulations. To date, waste pickers have been ignored and excluded from the municipal waste management system. Integration is, however, an area of interest in South Africa. Integrating waste pickers into formal waste management systems requires clear policies, infrastructure, and educational initiatives. The support provided by municipalities for waste pickers is varied, with some receiving limited support while others receive none. Challenges in integration include resistance to change, lack of legal recognition, safety risks, and resistance from formal waste management actors. Equitable distribution of benefits and overcoming social stigma are important considerations. Municipal workers have expressed concerns about integrating waste pickers, including issues with "illegal migrants, unwillingness to work with the municipality, unrealistic expectations, and liability. Lack of funding, training, and support for waste officials also pose challenges. Some waste pickers are not interested in integration due to various reasons. Waste pickers in Madibeng prioritise access to medical aid, pension funds, safety, security, electricity, tools, machinery, water, sanitation, and storage facilities. They face challenges such as safety concerns and harassment by authorities. The illegal status of waste pickers in South Africa presents a significant obstacle to their integration. Waste pickers struggle for recognition and rights, facing persecution and competition from privatisation and businesses. Stakeholder participation and waste pickers associations are crucial for successful integration.