A Humble Beginning in Recycling
Buyisiwe Gumede
At the age of 17, circumstances compelled me to start recycling. I would collect discarded boxes from the nearest supermarket and sell them to a truck that came every Thursday. At the time, I felt embarrassed and ashamed, unaware that my small efforts were contributing to a cleaner and safer environment.
Years later, as I delved deeper into my work, I encountered environmental impact assessments and their significance in the workplace. This knowledge opened my eyes to the broader implications of proper waste management, not just for businesses but for entire communities. That realisation reignited my passion for recycling. What had once been a means of survival transformed into a calling. I began educating myself about waste management and saw an opportunity to turn recycling into something greater, a business dedicated to cleaning communities, combating illegal dumping, and promoting a healthier environment.
Transforming Waste Management in My Community
In my area, waste is transported to Springfield, which is far from home. Due to the logistical challenges, many people resort to illegal dumping in open fields, negatively impacting the environment. Through my organization, we work to clean these areas, separate recyclables from general waste, and ensure that non-recyclable materials are properly collected by Durban Solid Waste (DSW). By actively engaging the community, we aim to instil a culture of responsible waste disposal and environmental stewardship.
My Vision for a Sustainable Future
- Diverting at least 100 tons of waste from landfills and rivers every month.
- Creating job opportunities, particularly for women, youth, and the elderly.
- Providing recycling training to empower communities and promote environmental awareness.
- Collaborating with industry leaders such as Polyoak, Mondi, PETCO, Nampak, glass companies, and metal recycling organisations like MetPac-SA.
By addressing waste management challenges head-on and promoting a culture of recycling, I hope to contribute to a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for my community and beyond.
What once felt like a struggle has now become my life’s purpose. Recycling is not just about waste management, it is about creating a cleaner, more sustainable future for generations to come. Through education, action, and collaboration, I believe we can make a lasting difference, one step at a time.
Recognising this self-initiative MetPac-SA CEO Dr Kishan Singh, Yellowwood Park Councilor Mr Gavin Hegter and Mr Richard Sengani of the Packaging and Paper Producer Responsibility Organisation Alliance visited Buyisiwe Gumede’s Buyback Centre operations to understand the scale, complexity and impact of her operations on the local residential and business communities. Business support such as management development opportunities, legislative guidance expanding her value chain was offered to her. MetPac-SA offered her direct recourse to post-consumer metal packaging and metal re-melters who will buy such materials through her operations. MetPac-SA will also support her in enterprise development, job creation and transformation, in alignment with S18 of the National Management Waste Act.
CAPTION: Left to right: Richard Sengani (PRO Alliance), Gavin Hegter (Ward Councilor Yellowwood Park, Buyisiwe Gumede (Buyback Centre Manager) and Kishan Singh (CEO MetPac-SA)
