NEWS

Inclusive waste management is a growing priority for cities aiming to create sustainable, equitable systems—but many waste pickers remain excluded from formal waste processes. Despite their vital role in recycling and reducing landfill waste, informal workers often face barriers to recognition, fair wages, and safe working conditions. This article explores the key challenges to building truly inclusive waste management systems and bridging policy gaps.

Besides being kicked out and harassed by municipal officials and private entities, Waste pickers vow that they are not going anywhere. They are the rightful owners of the land the municipality originally awarded to Masihlule.

Both Philasande and his girlfriend are waste pickers at the Makana Municipal landfill. They are invested in waste management in Makana and attended a workshop for waste pickers that was organised by a group students in 2017 at Rhodes University. Philisande and his girlfriend have stopped going to the landfill since June this year [2020]. The reason they stopped is that there’s been some rogue behaviours among the waste pickers.