Plastics SA Hosts Global First – Self-Employed Material Recycler Training Programme Empowers South Africa’s Waste Pickers
Plastics SA Hosts Global First – Self-Employed Material Recycler Training Programme Empowers South Africa’s Waste Pickers. Plastics SA has launched the world’s first Self-Employed Material Recycler Training Programme, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering South Africa’s waste pickers. This innovative programme equips informal waste reclaimers with essential skills to safely and efficiently manage recycling efforts while improving their business acumen.
Last year, approximately 50,000 South Africans earned an informal income as waste pickers by collecting used plastics for recycling. This training programme offers these individuals a pathway to professionalisation, enabling them to thrive in a circular economy.
The training, accredited at NQF Level 1, awards participants 26 credits and spans five days over three weeks. For the pilot programme, 20 learners in Johannesburg and 25 learners in KwaZulu-Natal were selected and fully sponsored to attend.The programme is supported financially by key industry partners, including ExxonMobil, Polyco, Petco, and Plastics SA, and aims to train 2,000 informal waste sector workers through a “train the trainer” model. Following the South African pilot, the initiative is expected to expand globally.
The launch event featured prominent stakeholders, including:
- Bala Nengwhela, Specialist: Waste Management, SALGA
- Belinda Booker, Enterprise Development Handover Support, Petco
- Andiswa Siyengo, Control Environmental Officer, DFFE
- Kirtida Bhana, Head of Plastics SA’s Academy for Learning & Development
Kirtida Bhana highlighted the programme’s holistic approach: “This training covers a wide variety of topics that empower waste pickers to grow their businesses and ensure safer, healthier working conditions. The programme focuses on critical areas such as health and safety, waste handling, business management within the recycling economy, and strategies to maximise profits in a circular economy.”
Rik Poppe, Senior Sustainability Advisor at ExxonMobil, emphasised the initiative’s potential: “ExxonMobil and the industry recognise the critical role of the informal sector. Plastic waste reclaimers often operate in rudimentary conditions with security and financial challenges. This training addresses these issues by teaching health and safety protocols, sorting techniques, and business skills. A multi-stakeholder approach — encompassing waste reclaimers, government, academia, and industry — is key to creating long-term change. This pilot programme will serve as a global model.”
