South Africa

Recycling Community Project

Waste management is a pressing issue in South Africa and poses significant environmental, social and economic challenges for local communities. Poor waste management not only contributes to environmental degradation (such as the polluting of waterways and soil contamination) but also jeopardizes public health and exacerbates socio-economic disparities.

The TASC Foundation has provided funding to the London Recycling Community Project to set up a waste buy-back centre at the London Landfill site in the Maruleng Municipality of the Limpopo Province. This Project supports and mentors waste reclaimers in developing a business-oriented approach to the waste buy back operations with a focus on enhancing the earning opportunities for rural based waste reclaimers and recyclers.

Thus far the TASC Foundation funding has been used to purchase necessary pieces of equipment such as a transport truck, a baler and solar power infrastructure, all of which were needed to increase the recycling capacity of the centre.

Over time, the increased removal of waste from villages will not only promote local environmental awareness but also the negative impacts of pollution on livestock and wildlife, as well as improving the economic opportunities available to waste collectors and other community participants.