News
Durban’s Waste Recovery Centre Gets R570k Boost for Recycling and Jobs
A green push for Durban’s economy
Durban’s waste recovery sector has received a significant boost. The eThekwini Waste Materials Recovery Industry Development Centre, better known as USE-IT, has been allocated an additional R570,000 to strengthen its recycling and training projects. The funding forms part of the city’s broader drive to expand the green economy and reduce unemployment.
The allocation follows the council’s approval of an amendment to the existing Memorandum of Agreement, which runs until December 2027. For eThekwini, it signals renewed investment in turning environmental challenges into opportunities for economic growth.
Recycling with impact
USE-IT has built a reputation as one of the few municipal initiatives dedicated to the waste economy. In recent years, it has focused heavily on township and rural communities, creating jobs and stimulating small business activity around recycling.
A recent project saw more than 30 residents of Hammarsdale, Dassenhoek, and KwaNdengezi trained to manufacture interlocking blocks using recycled glass. This capacity-building initiative, run with the Human Sciences Research Council, showed how everyday waste can be repurposed into construction materials.
The new funding will expand the Alternative Building Technology Programme, which explores using recovered plastic as building material. If successful, the innovation could both cut landfill waste and provide affordable building solutions.
How the money will be spent
The R570,000 funding package has been divided into three key areas:
-
R250,000 for plastic recovery and other construction materials
-
R250,000 for training, skills development, oversight and reporting
-
R70,000 for launch activities and technology promotion
This breakdown highlights a balance between research, practical innovation, and empowering people with new skills.
More than recycling
The city views the project as part of a bigger strategy: its Integrated Development Plan aims to drive economic growth and improve citizens’ quality of life. The national government also supports such projects, with the Department of Trade and Industry and Competition identifying green industries like recycling as high-potential areas for small business growth and job creation.
Ward 36 councillor Heinz De Boer welcomed the move and urged that the programme be expanded to other wards. He said the training would empower residents, helping many unemployed people gain both skills and income opportunities.
Why it matters
Durban’s green economy projects often fly under the radar, yet their impact can be deeply felt at a community level. Initiatives like USE-IT show how environmental responsibility and social development go hand in hand.
While R570,000 may not sound like a huge figure, the potential ripple effects are substantial: jobs, skills training, reduced waste, and innovative building technologies. For Durban, this funding is more than a cheque; it is an investment in a cleaner, fairer, and more sustainable future.
Also read: Amerikaners Group Enlisted in US Hunt for Afrikaner Refugees
Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter, TikT
For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com
Source: IOL
Featured Image: ithala
