Newtown, Johannesburg
The African Reclaimers Organisation (ARO) is a membership-based organisation of reclaimers working with other reclaimers in residential areas and landfills. The Organisation’s work involves collecting, transporting, sorting and selling recyclables. This includes materials such as clear polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, plastic milk containers, Kreepy Krawly pipes, plastic plant pots, large yoghurt containers, aluminium cold drink tins, aluminium pie plates, electronic waste, cardboard and paper.
Achievements
- Contributions to the recycling economy, creating a cleaner environment and improved livelihoods.
- Reclaimers collect discarded materials that would normally end up in landfills and the environment, which they can sell at recycling buy-back centres.
- By selling these items at recycling buy-back centres, reclaimers are said to save municipalities R780 million in landfill-associated costs.
- Providing reclaimers with access to markets
- Developing sustainable waste integration solutions for specific areas e.g. the High Court Precinct in Johannesburg.
Stakeholders
- Core stakeholder group and primary beneficiaries: the reclaimers
- Academia: Wits University
- Private sector: Unilever
- Civil Society: Alliance to End Plastic Waste
