Case studies
Because each city and town is unique, we cannot assume that an integration programme that works well in one place will be appropriate or work well in another. This is why the Guideline does not present models that can be copied and pasted into new contexts.
Here we share case studies of different approaches to integration that highlight why they were adopted, how they worked, and lessons learned. By providing real world examples, the case studies can spark ideas and discussions about what type of approach and programmes could be appropriate and relevant in your specific context.
The three main case studies are presented first. They focus on paying reclaimers to provide a separation at source collection service, the creation of innovative infrastructure to promote integration, and why landfill waste pickers chose to form a cooperative. The stories of these case studies are told through detailed written overviews, a poster, videos, reclaimer profiles, and photo essays to provide a holistic understanding of each case.
The three shorter case studies look at integrating landfill waste pickers, separation at source by a waste picker cooperative, and the importance of zoning regulations.
This case study focuses on the African Reclaimers Organisation’s Recycling with Reclaimers project in two Johannesburg neighbourhoods. It shows how reclaimers who are not part of a cooperative can be paid for providing a separation at source collection service, and how when integration is based on a partnership between reclaimers and residents it changes residents’ recycling practices and relationships with reclaimers, improves reclaimers’ access to materials, and makes reclaimers part of the community (published in 2022).
Additional resources:
Written Case Study – Separation at source by reclaimers -Johannesburg (published in 2022)
Poster – Separation at source and Waste Pickers (published in 2022)
Reclaimer profile – Ana Mabe – Organisational support and friendship (published in 2022)
Reclaimer profile – Papi Spekhang – Fast Trolleys (published in 2022)
Photo story – Living and working in Bekezela (published in 2022)
Photo story – Living and working at Bekezela (published in 2022)
Evaluation of the Recycling with Reclaimers Pilot Project (published in 2022)
This case study is on the Palmer Street Recycling Facility created by the eThekwini municipality and the NGO Asiye eTafuleni for women waste pickers in Durban. It shows how an NGO, municipality, and waste pickers can collaborate to create much needed infrastructure for street waste pickers (published in 2022).
Additional resources:
Written Case Study – Infrastructure for integration – eThekwini (published in 2022)
Photo essay – Palmer street recycling facility (published in 2022)
Reclaimer profile – Nthombizodwa Gcabashe – Working with others (published in 2022)
Reclaimer profile – Sibongile Muthwa – Professionalizing reclaiming (published in 2022)
Photo story – Selling on the streets in Durban (published in 2022)
Reclaimer profile – Refiloe and Sfundo – Working on Durban Streets (published in 2022)
Video – Palmer Street Recycling Facility – Infrastructure for Reclaimers (published in 2022)
This case study focuses on cooperatives created by waste pickers at the Mangaung Landfill. It explores why they chose to form cooperatives, the ways this has benefitted them, the challenges they face, and their dreams for the future (published in 2022).
Additional resources:
Written Case Study – Mangaung landfill cooperatives – Mangaung (published in 2022)
Photo essay – Northern landfill site (published in 2022)
Reclaimer profile – Emily Mrabalalo – Women working for their families (published in 2022)
Reclaimer profile – Francelina Lekeno – A roof over her head (published in 2022)
Reclaimer profile – Lefa Mononga – A natural leader (published in 2022)
Reclaimer profile – Samual Motshwadi – Supporting a family (published in 2022)
Reclaimer profile – Solomon Mafabatho – Getting the copper (published in 2022)
These short case studies look at four different efforts to integrate landfill waste pickers, identifying both successes and problems to watch out for (published in 2022).
Additional resources:
Reclaimers & Reclaiming – A typical day of a landfill reclaimed (published in 2022)
Reclaimers & Reclaiming – Separation at source and landfill reclaimers (published in 2022)
Reclaimers & Reclaiming – Amending landfill licences to permit waste picking (published in 2022)
Social Plans for Landfill Waste Pickers (published in 2022)
Webinar – Integrating landfill waste pickers (published in 2022)
This case study focuses on the South African Waste Pickers Association’s Vaal Park Recycling Centre integration pilot project. The project includes a waste picker cooperative providing a separation at source collection service, running a drop-off centre, aggregating material, and selling collectively (published in 2022).
Additional resources:
Reclaimer profile – Dorah Mabe – Safe conditions (published in 2022)
Reclaimer profile – Simon Ramohlokane – Sorting in a cooperative (published in 2022)
This case study looks at what happened when a project to support reclaimers in Cape Town clashed with planning regulations, highlighting the importance of institutionalizing waste picker integration within municipal planning processes (published in 2022).
