Waste pickers who earn a living by collecting waste from various areas under the uMfolozi Municipality, led by His Worship Mayor Councillor Xolani Bhengu, have been given a valuable opportunity with the opening of a waste buy-back centre where they can sell recyclable waste and receive payment immediately.
The centre was officially opened on Friday, 9 October 2026, by Mayor Bhengu, together with honourable councillors, municipal partners, and participating organisations, including Polyco, UWY Land of Greens and Packa-Ching.
Mr Kabelo Phakoe explained that the main objective is to help waste pickers recognise waste collection as a viable business from which they can earn a living. He said they would be encouraged to register formally and wear uniforms as part of becoming recognised entrepreneurs.
He further encouraged waste pickers to maintain high standards of personal hygiene and take pride in their work so that members of the public would recognise them as businesspeople.
Mr Phakoe added that the volume of waste delivered to the centre would determine whether more facilities of this nature could be established within the municipality. He also explained that the waste collected would help identify opportunities to develop locally manufactured products in uMfolozi, depending on the types of waste most received.
Those attending the launch were also educated about the dangers associated with discarded electrical and electronic equipment. They were warned against attempting to dismantle such items at home, as doing so could pose serious safety risks.
During the event, Mr Xolani Mthethwa, a waste picker from uMfolozi, received support in the form of a block-making machine. The machine will enable him to manufacture building blocks using waste materials that can still be repurposed.
As part of the official opening, waste was weighed and the waste pickers were paid for the materials they delivered, demonstrating how the centre will operate.
The facility is equipped with an office, waste-sorting bins and a weighing trolley used to weigh recyclable materials and determine the payments due to waste pickers.
