Waste management is a growing global environmental concern, and South Africa’s informal sector is vital in diverting recyclables from landfills. However, despite their crucial contributions, informal recyclers are often marginalised, negatively labelled, and considered ‘disposable’ within neoliberal capitalist frameworks.
Published in The Journal for Transdisciplinary Research in Southern Africa and co-authored by Dr Olivia Loots and Ms Palisa Ntsala, ‘Resisting Disposability: Survivalist entrepreneurs in South Africa’s informal recycling sector’ addresses this important issue.
The study draws on data from interviews held with 21 participants who work in the informal recycling sector in Gqeberha. It investigates the participants’ own perceptions of their societal role, and argues that the positive self-views of these waste collectors can be seen as a powerful counter-narrative that challenges harmful prevailing stereotypes.
This research, supported by SST, underpins the importance of the work undertaken by the informal collection sector in transitioning South Africa to a circular and blue economy.
