NEWS

He didn’t want to go back home. Instead he wanted to go back to the dumpsite. When we got there I found a group of young men playing chess and I was impressed. I have been thinking that if activities like these can be supported and strengthened to help develop these young people, and how initiatives like these can contribute towards improving Grahamstown’s economy.

In many cities across the Global South, waste pickers play a vital but often invisible role in managing urban waste. These individuals collect, sort, and sell discarded materials, contributing significantly to recycling and reducing landfill volumes. Despite their important environmental and economic contributions, waste pickers operate in informal and insecure conditions, lacking formal recognition or support.