On Global Recycling Day, 18 March 2025, Polyco – in partnership with Urban Surfer and Hollard Insurance – celebrates the success of an innovative waste reclaimer hub in Parktown where over 90 tons of recyclable waste have been diverted from landfills to date.
For a decade, informal waste reclaimers in the Johannesburg suburb worked in unsafe conditions, sorting recyclables on the roadside without shelter or infrastructure.
Responding to this, the partnership launched the Parktown Reclaimer Sorting & Solar Baling Hub in May last year – a secure, structured workspace that has transformed waste management while uplifting the reclaimers who run it.
The hub continues to provide reclaimers with necessary facilities and essential tools to do their job. This includes dedicated sorting and storage areas, safe sleeping quarters with basic sanitation facilities, a solar-powered baling machine and GPS-tracked trolleys.
Over the past ten months, 3,465 km of waste collections have been logged via the tracking system, diverting 92,553 kg of recyclable waste. Meanwhile, reclaimers’ collection volumes and earnings have increased by over 100%.
“The Parktown Hub is proof that collaborative efforts can uplift reclaimers and drive sustainability. The hub has evolved into a self-sustaining enterprise where reclaimers manage their own operations and support a wider recycling network. It integrates innovation, sustainability, and social impact to revolutionise waste management and uplift informal reclaimers,” said Patricia Pillay, Polyco CEO.
Sifiso Gumbi, Director Urban Surfer added, “Reclaimers are the backbone of South Africa’s recycling economy. The success of our Parktown reclaimer sorting and solar baling hub has proven that structured spaces significantly improve reclaimer income and working conditions. With proper support, their impact is transformative”.
This was echoed by Herman Makwana, a waste reclaimer with Urban Surfer, “It’s only now that I consider waste picking as a serious job. Initially, I saw it as a way of getting something to eat and move on. Through this job, I can do a lot of things…I see it as a way to change my life for better and achieve greater things”.
Polyco remains committed to driving impactful recycling initiatives, working with stakeholders to provide reclaimers and communities with the resources they need to thrive.
“Hollard intends to divert our recyclable waste to the hub, ensuring a steady supply of recyclable materials into the hub. This is not just simply for corporate sustainability goals, it is about being part of something bigger – creating jobs and income for reclaimers in South Africa who play such a crucial role in our country and its economy,” said Kyle McWilliam, Head: Group Shared Service at Hollard Insurance.
Building on this success, the plan is to expand this model to other urban areas, which will further enhance the role of reclaimers in the circular economy while promoting environmental sustainability.
Watch a video of the reclaimer hub in action here: https://we.tl/t-7x5qu5X5zk
About Polyco South Africa
Polyco is a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) under South Africa’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations. It invests in initiatives that transform waste into economic resources by expanding plastic packaging collection and recycling. Collaborating with stakeholders, Polyco advances recycling infrastructure and educates consumers on sustainable waste management.
