Get food and essentials to street reclaimers in South Africa

The issue

Informal recyclers working on streets and in landfills are responsible for collecting over 90% of all materials that are recycled in South Africa. These ‘reclaimers’ play a crucial role in protecting the environment, but for the first six weeks of lockdown they were not allowed to work, leaving families with no steady income.

What can we do about it?

African Reclaimers Organisation (ARO) was formed to recognise and represent reclaimers and the essential role they play in the waste management system.

During lockdown, donations to ARO helped to provide reclaimers and their families with food and basic necessities. Since May, reclaimers were finally allowed to start working again, but business remains slow.

It will take time for companies to start buying large quantities of materials from reclaimers, and there is currently no demand for plastic at all. Many reclaimers are still not able to earn enough to feed their families and remain in desperate need of support. Your donations will directly help thousands of reclaimers and their families with essential supplies during this difficult time.