As per new regulations of 29 April recycling is now permitted at 50% capacity and informal recyclers are permitted to resume operations.
In solidarity, Polyco has donated R100 000 towards a relief fund for informal waste reclaimers as well as well as R120 000 for those unable to sell their recyclables to Packa-Ching during lockdown.
Household waste generation has increased
As we manage our way through this pandemic, we need to acknowledge our waste workers who keep our waste sector running and our environment clean. “While everyone is at home, household waste generation has increased; recyclers and collection companies have not been able to operate; and our waste pickers have been cut off from their livelihoods. As per new regulations of 29 April – recycling is now permitted at 50% capacity and informal recyclers are permitted to resume operations. These people and this sector needs your support now, more than ever before,” says Mandy Naudé, CEO of the Polyolefin Responsibility Organisation (Polyco).
“We recognise the important role that waste reclaimers play within the recycling sector and in turn how the recycling stream provides them with a source of income,” says Naudé. “Polyco has donated R100 000 towards a relief fund for informal waste reclaimers that has collected over R785 000 from Polyco and other industry organisations.” Waste reclaimers who are members of ARO and SAWPA have received electronic Goodwill Vouchers on their cellphones via eVoucher.mobi that are redeemable at a number of outlets to buy essential goods.
Keep recycling
To encourage people to start or to keep recycling during lockdown, Polyco has pledged to donate a further R10 to this fund for every new Facebook page like and Instagram page follow that the Million Plus pages receive until the 8 May, up to a maximum of R50 000. The Million Plus plastic recycling revolution is a movement aimed at mobilising more than one million South Africans to recycle their plastic packaging. “Now is a great time to pledge your commitment to better household recycling habits by joining the Million Plus plastic recycling revolution,” says Naudé.
Polyco has also shown it’s solidarity with the users of their innovative mobile separation-at-source recycling service, Packa-Ching who have not been able to sell their recyclables to Packa-Ching during lockdown. Polyco has donated an additional R120 000 to Packa-Ching users who have used the service in 2020 and who rely on selling their used recyclable packaging material to Packa-Ching to earn an income.
“We are calling on all South Africans to please keep recycling during lockdown. Wash and put out your recyclables for collection, or store them at home until a point when you can take them to a recycling drop-off location” says Naudé. “By doing this, you are helping to prevent this valuable stream from going to landfill and helping to stimulate our recycling economy.”
While the waste and recycling sector comes together to support waste reclaimers, you can support the growth of the recycling sector by joining the Million Plus revolution. “Make recycling your next lockdown challenge; how much of your waste are you recycling and how many of your friends and family can you get to join,” asks Naudé. Let the recycling community know @millionplusrecyclers on Instagram or on the Million Plus Recyclers Facebook page.
