Across South Africa, waste pickers collect, sort and recover recyclable materials that would otherwise be sent to landfill or end up in the environment. This keeps valuable materials in circulation, supports recycling and provides livelihoods for thousands of people.
Zero Waste Champions
Waste pickers are the backbone of South Africa’s recycling system, but their contribution goes beyond recycling.
As zero waste champions, waste pickers show what is possible when materials are recovered and kept in use rather than treated as waste. By diverting materials from landfill, they contribute to climate change mitigation and can help municipalities reduce waste management costs. Their work helps build waste systems that value resources, support livelihoods and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.
Organising for Change
Through the South African Waste Pickers Association (SAWPA), waste pickers organise for recognition, respect and dignity. They advocate for safer working conditions, meaningful inclusion in waste management systems and a greater say in decisions that affect them.
SAWPA has contributed to the development and implementation of waste management policies and programmes, including the Waste Picker Integration Guidelines and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
Watch the Series
Halala Waste Pickers gives voice to waste pickers in South Africa, highlighting their contribution to zero waste and their right to dignified work.
Across 10 short videos, waste pickers share their experiences as zero waste champions, critical workers, activists, policy advocates, negotiators, organisers, mobilisers, educators, environmental champions and providers.
Watch the full Halala Waste Pickers series below:
The series was developed by groundWork and Africa Zero Waste Hub in collaboration with the South African Waste Pickers Association (SAWPA), with support from the UMI Fund and SARChI Chair in Waste and Society at the University of Western Cape (UWC).
