By Liyabona Matunywa, Community Organisation Resource Centre (CORC) and SDI South Africa Alliance
Members of the Informal Settlement Network (ISN) in Khayelitsha, Western Cape, South Africa, have embarked on a series of recycling initiatives aimed at improving solid waste management across several informal settlements. These interventions are anchored in the establishment of a solid waste hub introduced in 2024 with support from the International Budget Partnership through the Asivikelane Programme, in partnership with the South African SDI Alliance.
The initiative is further strengthened by the proactive role of community leadership, whose engagement in climate change–related programmes has created an enabling environment for sustainable practices. In addition, the involvement of external partners, such as the University of Cape Town’s Tuwe Pamoja project, has been instrumental in building community capacity. By promoting a Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) approach, Tuwe Pamoja has supported residents with the knowledge and tools to integrate environmental sustainability into their everyday practices. Collectively, these efforts demonstrate a collaborative and multidimensional strategy to address waste management challenges while simultaneously advancing climate resilience within informal settlements.
Although the programme is still in its early stages, its positive impact is already evident. The recycling hubs are playing a key role in addressing long-standing waste management challenges and supporting sustainable livelihood opportunities. The initiative is also strengthening community ownership of environmentally responsible solutions, helping to lay the foundation for lasting change.
BM Section, Khayelitsha
At Barnet Molokwane Corner in BM Section, a dedicated recycling hub has been established. The hub is operated by 20 active recyclers, consisting of 17 women and 3 men. The strong representation of women in this group reflects the central role women play in driving grassroots environmental and livelihood initiatives within the settlement.
UT Gardens, Khayelitsha
In UT Gardens, two community-based recycling teams are actively engaged in solid waste recovery and management:
The Wetland Recycling Hub
The first group has taken significant steps towards formalization by registering under the name The Wetland Recycling Hub. This team is composed of five women, who have demonstrated leadership and commitment to advancing structured recycling operations and strengthening recognition within their community.
Emerging Recycling Group
The second group operates near the Wetland Recycling Hub. Although they are still in the early stages of development and have not yet formalized their structure or adopted a name, they remain highly committed. This group comprises eight women who are dedicated to expanding recycling practices and generating income through waste collection, sorting and resale.
Recycled material before collection
Contribution to Community and Livelihoods
The recycling hubs in Khayelitsha provide multiple benefits to residents. Beyond fostering cleaner and healthier living environments, they are also creating income-generating opportunities, particularly for women, who make up the majority of participants. These initiatives demonstrate the potential of community-driven environmental solutions to address pressing urban challenges while simultaneously improving the socio-economic conditions of marginalized groups in informal settlements.
Stakeholder Engagement and Capacity Development of Recycling Hubs
The three recycling hubs have actively engaged with various recycling companies to identify suitable partners for selling their recyclable materials. Notably, the hubs conducted consultations with Reginise Recycling and CL Trading to evaluate which company would best meet their operational and financial needs.
In addition to industry engagement, the hubs maintain ongoing communication with City of Cape Town (CoCT) officials to explore potential avenues of support for their initiatives. A key engagement took place in July 2025, during which the recycling teams, city officials, Petco, and ward councillors conducted a walk-about of the recycling hubs. This engagement yielded several positive outcomes:
- Petco committed to providing storage containers for recyclables and supplying personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure safe handling of materials.
- Ward councillors pledged to donate land to support the long-term sustainability of the recycling initiative.
In terms of operational partnerships, CL Trading formally partnered with the three hubs in May 2025. Since then, CL Trading has been collecting recyclable materials directly from the hubs.
The hubs sell their recyclables on a weekly basis, generating an income ranging from R600 to R2,000 per week.
Training and Capacity Building
As part of the partnership, CL Trading provides ongoing training to the hubs. This training includes:
- Identifying recyclable items with higher market value to maximize income potential.
- Best practices for handling, storing and managing recyclable materials to maintain quality and prevent loss.
- Operational guidance to ensure the hubs maintain consistent and safe recycling processes.
Through these stakeholder engagements and capacity-building efforts, the recycling hubs are not only creating economic opportunities for their members but also contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable urban environment.
