Limpopo residents can now recycle e-waste for cash

Limpopo residents can now dispose of their electronic waste at a recycling facility and receive cash incentives. The government launched the E-Waste Recycling Pilot Project on Wednesday, 26 March, in the Thulamela Local Municipality, aiming to reduce environmental damage caused by improper disposal of electronic devices.

Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment Bernice Swarts highlighted the project’s importance.

“The increasing number of electronic devices being used without a proper system for disposal has led to the accumulation of waste that harms our environment and contaminates water and soil,” she said.

The project, run in partnership with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE), local municipalities, and industry stakeholders, will operate through three Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs): EWASA, Circular Energy, and R2E2. These organisations will facilitate the collection and recycling process.

How the e-waste recycling process works

Residents participating in the initiative will bring their e-waste to designated collection points, where PROs will weigh and record the items. Also, participants will receive payment based on the weight and type of the item, with rates starting at R1 per kilogram. Payments will be made via EFT or MTN MoMo.

Furthermore, participants will receive vouchers ranging from R30 to R50 beyond direct payments, depending on the number of items dropped off. A “spin-a-wheel” competition offers an additional chance to win vouchers worth R100, redeemable at Shoprite or Checkers.

“The PROs will set up and welcome community members as they bring their e-waste. The e-waste will then be weighed, the weight recorded, and the person’s details recorded,” Swarts explained.

Additionally, local collectors, particularly in Limpopo and the Vhembe District, will assist in collecting more prominent items, making it easier for residents to participate. After the initial event, arrangements can be made for further collections.

Environmental and Community Benefits

This pilot project aims to create a sustainable e-waste recycling system while educating communities about the dangers of improper disposal.

“The success of this project relies heavily on the participation of the local community. By providing households with easy access to the collection or drop-off points,” Swarts noted.

In addition, the department’s wheelie bins will help separate e-waste from regular household waste, preventing toxic substances from contaminating the soil and water.

“This process will prevent toxic substances from leaching into the soil and water, protecting both our environment and our health,” Swarts emphasised.

With the initiative now underway, will Limpopo residents embrace e-waste recycling and help make it a sustainable practice?

Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.

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