How Waste Pickers Are Driving Recycling and Fighting Climate Change

Every day, hundreds of waste pickers, often called “bin pickers” or “reclaimers,” navigate Cape Town’s streets, collecting recyclable materials from bins and landfills. While some see their work as a nuisance, these informal recyclers play a vital role in reducing landfill waste, supporting recycling initiatives, and contributing to the circular economy. Research shows that informal recyclers divert tons of waste from landfills each year, saving municipalities millions in disposal costs […]