R780m Saved by Reclaimers, Yet Joburg Offers Little in Return

Johannesburg’s waste reclaimers are saving the city hundreds of millions of rands every year—yet they continue to be sidelined, misunderstood, and unsupported. According to the African Reclaimers Organisation (ARO), reclaimers collect nearly 90% of all recyclable materials in the city, helping municipalities save around R780 million annually in landfill space alone.

Despite this enormous contribution, reclaimers are still working without formal infrastructure, recognition, or protection.

The Hidden Workforce Keeping the City Clean

“Reclaimers are not homeless people. They follow the materials,” said Nandi Tutani, programme coordinator at the ARO, speaking to the Sandton Chronicle. She explained that many reclaimers temporarily camp in areas like Emmarentia or Linden because recyclable waste is found there—not because they live there permanently.

“They need space nearby where they can work—aggregate, sort, and sell. Once the job is done, they move on. That’s very different from people who are homeless.”

Reducing Pressure on Landfills

Waste pickers play a key role in reducing pressure on Johannesburg’s overflowing landfill sites and the city’s struggling waste management system. However, Tutani says reclaimers continue to be stigmatised, despite being highly skilled in identifying, sorting, and collecting recyclable material.

“There’s a big gap in understanding just how specialised this work is,” she said. “They are blamed for untidy spaces when in fact, many take care to clean up after themselves.”

Support That Can Make a Difference

The ARO provides tools, safety gear, and helps reclaimers access better-paying markets—resources they would not have access to alone. But the organisation believes much more could be done if the City of Johannesburg stepped in with meaningful support.

“We are in talks with the City to create safe, clean workspaces for reclaimers,” said Tutani. “If municipalities invested even a fraction of the money reclaimers save the city each year, everyone would benefit.”

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Sourced:MSN