Empowering local waste pickers: The transformative impact of eThekwini's boot camp

In a bid to strengthen the glass recycling value chain, a recent buyback boot camp in eThekwini has made significant strides in empowering local waste pickers and promoting an inclusive recycling network.

The boot camp was spearheaded and facilitated by The Glass Recycling Company (TGRC) in partnership with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), eThekwini Municipality, Greenway, and Use It.

The company stated that eThekwini was chosen for this initiative due to the significant pressure on the city's waste management.

“Two of the four landfills are nearing capacity, landfill diversion is limited, and transport to distant disposal sites adds to both cost and environmental pressure,” TGRC said.

The boot camp brought together informal waste pickers, buyback centre operators, and key government and municipal stakeholders to strengthen glass recovery efforts in the region.

TGRC chief executive officer, Shabeer Jhetam, said by convening the boot camp locally, TGRC created an opportunity to connect waste pickers and buyback centres directly with the resources and support they need most.

Jhetam said the buyback centre boot camp goes beyond mere equipment distribution, focusing instead on dignity, recognition, and empowerment.

He said the waste pickers and buyback centres are unsung heroes of South Africa’s recycling economy, and their work underpins our collective progress towards a circular economy.

“By supporting them with knowledge, tools, infrastructure, and direct opportunities, we are building a stronger, more inclusive recycling network that benefits not only the communities but also the entire country,” said Jhetam.

The sessions combined presentations with open dialogue, giving participants access to information on TGRC’s support programmes, including waste picker service fees, training opportunities, personal protective equipment (PPE) provision, and transport subsidies, as well as funding insights from government partners.

The company said the boot camp served as both a recognition of the integral role of the buyback centres and waste pickers and a practical intervention to support them with knowledge, resources, and tangible tools to improve their daily work.

TGRC distributed 100 sets of PPE, including goggles, gloves, and masks, providing participants with the tools to perform their work more efficiently.

“For many attendees, the biggest outcomes were not only the practical tools but also the recognition of their contribution to South Africa’s circular economy.

“Participants left with a stronger understanding of their role in the value chain, clearer pathways to support, and the reassurance that their daily efforts are seen, valued, and vital to building a more sustainable future,” said the company.

Jhetam said this initiative forms part of TGRC’s wider mission to expand glass collection rates, uplift informal collectors, and build a “truly inclusive recycling system”.

He added that by bringing together all these stakeholders, TGRC is helping to create stronger partnerships and more sustainable livelihoods while diverting more glass away from landfills.

karen.singh@inl.co.za