The City of Tshwane is set to pilot a program that will allow recyclable waste collectors to sell materials such as metals and bottles directly to the municipality, as part of efforts to clean up the Pretoria CBD.
The initiative, announced by MMC for Environment Obakeng Ramabodu, comes alongside a crackdown on establishments contributing to litter and public filth. Ramabodu, together with Mayor Nasiphi Moya and MMC for Corporate and Shared Services Kholofelo Morobedi, visited Bloed Street, a hotspot for littering, to highlight the program.
“People who collect recyclables often walk around without knowing where to take them. By providing buy-back centres, we help residents earn money while keeping the city clean,” Ramabodu said.
The program is aimed at assisting the city’s poorest residents, many of whom rely on scavenging for a living. For the municipality, the focus is not on generating revenue but on achieving cleanliness goals efficiently and cost-effectively.