Pikitup is redoubling its efforts to protect the environment and preserve the lifespan of its landfill sites by tackling the rapid depletion of landfill airspace by diverting recyclable materials, especially electronic waste (e-waste), from landfill sites.
The extraction of e-waste from landfill sites form part the entity’s Separation at Source programme, Pikitup is training its cooperatives to extract value from discarded electronics such as old TVs, radios, fridges, computers, and cellphones. Unlike general waste, e-waste needs specialist knowledge and technical skills to safely dismantle items and recover precious materials like gold, copper, silver and other recyclables.
Pikitup Managing Director Bukelwa Njingolo said: “We have been consistent in our message to effect that preserving landfill airspace, protecting the environment and keeping the city clean by adopting responsible waste management practices is a collective responsibility.
“We are excited that this partnership and more are needed to achieve the ultimate goal of a cleaner and greener Joburg.”
According to WasteAid Global, South Africa generates around 360 000 tonnes of e-waste annually — with Gauteng responsible for over half that figure. Yet only 12% is formally recycled, with the rest often dumped or burned. These dangerous practices release toxic substances such as lead, mercury, arsenic, flame retardants and phthalates, putting communities especially children at risk.
Elizaberth Das from Redtick, a company that provided training on e-waste, said: “This initiative supports recyclers who want to start their own businesses and offers practical training to help them get the most value from the e-waste they collect. It also offers practical training to help them get the most value from the e-waste they collect.”
Joseph Ramogale, owner of Mr Bin Co-operative, shared his success: “We were taught how to dismantle components from old cellphones, decoders, TVs, and other appliances. The training has already been effective. I have started collecting e-waste from residents and I am now able to recover much more from it. I am grateful for the partnership with Pikitup. The training was empowering.”
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