South Africa faces serious environmental and socio-economic challenges—including plastic pollution, inefficient waste management, and an unemployment rate projected to reach 33.9% in 2024. In response, ISOW (Innovative Solutions for Waste) is a transformative, community-driven initiative designed to turn these challenges into opportunities by advancing waste recycling systems and fostering sustainable livelihoods.

To address these challenges while fostering economic empowerment, a comprehensive initiative, ISOW, has been launched.  This initiative will focus on improving waste management and recycling in South Africa, by enhancing regulatory enforcement, investing in necessary infrastructure, supporting the informal waste sector, and creating employment opportunities, particularly for youth and women.  The project is community-focused, delivering “Africanized” innovative solutions that are specifically tailored to the needs of the community and will actively promote entrepreneurship and provide business development and support services.

The project is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) through the Employment Promotion for Women for the Green Transformation in Africa – WE4D Programme and commissioned by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) additionally co-funded by the European Union through regional and bilateral Team Europe Initiatives (TEIs) and Norway.

“Plastics SA also extends its sincere appreciation to our Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) partners — PETCO, Polyco, MetPac-SA, eWASA, the Glass Recycling Company and Fibre Circle — for their continued support and valuable contributions to this project. Their commitment plays a vital role in advancing environmental stewardship, sustainability, and the transition to a circular economy

It all started in June 2025 when Plastics SA, in collaboration with the Kruger to Canyons (K2C) Biosphere Region and key partners, hosted a highly successful stakeholder engagement workshop in Hoedspruit as part of the Innovative Solutions for Waste (ISOW) Project.

The session brought together over 35 diverse stakeholders, including municipal representatives, traditional leaders, waste reclaimers, Buy-Back Centre owners, NGOs, and community members from Thulamahashe and Acornhoek.

The goal was twofold: to share and validate the findings of a recent baseline study and to collaboratively develop ideas for a proposed local Beneficiation Centre (BC)—a facility aimed at improving waste diversion, supporting processing initiatives, and creating income opportunities within the Bushbuckridge Municipality.

Time to strengthen alignment, assess operational readiness

The Innovative Solutions for Waste (ISOW) project reached an important milestone with a strategic site visit on 24 March 2026 at the Thulamahashe Regional Landfill Site in the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality. The visit aimed to strengthen alignment among stakeholders, assess operational readiness, and refine implementation plans for the project.

At an on-site inspection of the landfill facilities, stakeholders evaluated the feasibility of establishing shaded sorting stations adjacent to the Waste Beneficiation Centre, which would provide covered working areas with concrete flooring to improve sorting efficiency and working conditions. The municipality supported the proposal and approved certain structural adjustments. A contracted engineer offered technical guidance to ensure that any modifications would not interfere with existing infrastructure such as pipelines and installed systems.

Following the inspection, stakeholders held a session focused on the collection model and implementation planning. A key outcome was the selection of Thulamahashe Block B as the pilot area for the ISOW separation-at-source initiative. This decision was based on factors such as community layout, accessibility, and its suitability for testing a structured waste collection system.

Discussions also covered collection system design, resource allocation, and timelines for implementation. The engagement ensured alignment between the municipality and the ISOW project team, establishing a clear direction for the next phase. To support planning, the delegation conducted a drive-through of Block B, gaining valuable insight into local conditions and spatial dynamics to better inform logistics and staffing.

Overall, the visit was productive and strengthened coordination between Plastics SA and the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality. It enabled informed decision-making, practical engagement, and alignment on key priorities, positioning the ISOW project for a structured and context-responsive rollout.

In addition, the project marked progress in team development through the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) and uniforms for Waste Ambassadors in Thulamahashe. This initiative enhances the visibility, professionalism, and credibility of the ambassadors, while fostering pride, unity, and trust within the community.

Discussions also covered collection system design, resource allocation, and timelines for implementation. The engagement ensured alignment between the municipality and the ISOW project team, establishing a clear direction for the next phase. To support planning, the delegation conducted a drive-through of Block B, gaining valuable insight into local conditions and spatial dynamics to better inform logistics and staffing.

Overall, the visit was productive and strengthened coordination between Plastics SA and the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality. It enabled informed decision-making, practical engagement, and alignment on key priorities, positioning the ISOW project for a structured and context-responsive rollout.

In addition, the project marked progress in team development through the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) and uniforms for Waste Ambassadors in Thulamahashe. This initiative enhances the visibility, professionalism, and credibility of the ambassadors, while fostering pride, unity, and trust within the community.

Further discussions addressed essential components including collection system design, resource allocation, and implementation timelines. The session ensured alignment between the ISOW project team and the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, providing a clear roadmap for the rollout. To complement the planning process, the delegation conducted a drive-through of Block B, gaining valuable insights into local conditions and spatial dynamics to better inform logistics and workforce planning.

Overall, the site visit proved highly productive, strengthening coordination between stakeholders and enabling informed, practical decision-making. The outcomes have positioned the ISOW project for a more structured, efficient, and context-responsive implementation.

In addition to operational progress, the project has also taken a significant step in team development through the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) and uniforms for Waste Ambassadors in Thulamahashe. This initiative enhances the ambassadors’ visibility, professionalism, and credibility, while fostering a sense of pride, unity, and trust within the community they serve.

ISOW On-Site Project Manager Induction

In October 2025, Plastics SA welcomed Hope Morema, the newly appointed On-Site Project Manager for the ISOW Project based in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga (Ehlanzeni District). Hope participated in a two-day Materials and Processing training facilitated by Plastics SA, designed to strengthen her understanding of the plastics value chain and project operations.

The session also served as her official induction with the Plastics SA team, introducing her to key partners and project frameworks. Her appointment marks an important step in advancing local implementation efforts, and the team expressed enthusiasm for her positive contribution toward achieving the project’s circular economy objectives.

Technical Work Group Committee Workshop

Plastics SA, GIZ, PETCO, Polyco, and Metpac met to reflect on the outcomes of the ISOW site visits held earlier in Acornhoek and Thulamahashe, and the Stakeholder Workshop at Thulamahashe.

The session aimed to gather feedback from delegates, discuss the best collection options for recyclables from households in the Thulamahashe region, and advise the ISOW team on the design, equipment, and logistics required for the proposed Waste Beneficiation Centre.

A key milestone from the meeting was the formation of the Technical Workgroup, comprising representatives from the participating PROs and Plastics SA. This group will provide ongoing technical expertise and recommendations, supporting the ISOW project’s implementation and ensuring alignment with industry standards and local needs.

This group will provide ongoing technical expertise and recommendations, supporting the ISOW project’s implementation and ensuring alignment with industry standards and local needs.

Stakeholder Meeting in Bohlabela Chamber, Thulamahashe

Early in October 2025, a Stakeholder Engagement Meeting was held at the Bohlabela Chamber in Thulamahashe, bringing together Plastics SA, GIZ, PETCO, Polyco, Metpac, the Consortium, Bushbuckridge Municipality, ward councillors, traditional leaders, buy-back centres, waste reclaimers, Spar representatives, and community members.

Presentations were delivered by the Consortium on the Feasibility Study, GIZ on the WE4D Programme, and Plastics SA on the ISOW background. The discussions were highly engaging, with stakeholders expressing strong support for the proposed Waste Beneficiation Centre.

The community welcomed the project, viewing it as a vital step toward improving waste management challenges, local job creation, and provide opportunities for skills development, education, and community awareness in the area.

Representatives from Plastics SA, GIZ, PETCO, Polyco, Metpac, the appointed Consortium, and the Bushbuckridge Municipality conducted a site visit to Thulamahashe and Acornhoek in August 2026. The visit aimed to gain a practical understanding of the local waste management landscape, focusing on residential and commercial collection points, illegal dumping hotspots, and existing waste handling practices. Delegates assessed the readiness of the proposed regional landfill site and the potential location for the Waste Beneficiation Centre under the ISOW project.

The PROs engaged with local buy-back centres to explore collaboration opportunities and understand material sourcing and collection systems. Participants observed current waste challenges, including burning, illegal dumping, and landfill operations, gaining valuable insights to guide the design of a community-based waste collection system and inform future decision-making for the ISOW pilot phase.

Mkhuhlu Separation-at-Source (S@S) Pilot Project

During August 2025, Samuel Kumbula, Project Coordinator for the ISOW project, visited the Mkhuhlu Separation-at-Source (S@S) Pilot Project in Mpumalanga. Funded by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environmental Affairs and implemented by the Bushbuckridge Municipality under Operation Phakisa, this initiative supports the National Development Plan by creating jobs, promoting recycling, and driving local economic growth.

Samuel met with cooperative waste reclaimers partnering with the municipality on the 12-month pilot, which involves 735 households. He facilitated a materials identification training session, equipping the group with practical recycling knowledge, while also gathering valuable insights into how the pilot operates on the ground. These learnings are especially important for the ISOW project, as they highlight how household collection systems can be adapted and replicated in Thulamahashe.

The Stakeholder Workshop in Bushbuckridge brought together diverse voices – including the municipality, traditional leaders, recyclers, community representatives, Plastics SA, and academic partners.

Discussions underscored the importance of flexible, community-driven approaches that integrate with municipal systems, backed by strong governance and sustainable funding. Key recommendations included:

  • Piloting solutions in both township and village contexts.

  • Strengthening community awareness campaigns.

  • Introducing reusable collection resources.

  • Ensuring waste reclaimers remain central to service delivery.

Building strong partnerships and generating practical solutions that will shape the design of future pilots is the key towards creating inclusive, scalable, and sustainable waste management systems for Bushbuckridge, with the potential for wider replication under the ISOW project.

The Project’s goal is to have non-organic waste (“dry waste”) transported and aggregated at a newly established collection facility, known as a Waste Beneficiation Centre, a central hub where registered informal waste pickers and collectors will collect non-organic waste as opposed to picking waste at landfills or kerbsides.

The Project will also provide waste sorting training and those with entrepreneurial aspirations can receive training in the day-to-day operations of a recycling business, equipping them with the skills needed to potentially run their own Beneficiation Centre in the future. Accredited training for Self-employed Materials Recyclers and Paper and Packaging Collectors, will also be offered. PRO’s and the chemical and plastics manufacturer Dow have agreed to supply essential tools such as scales, baling machines, and trailers to the Waste Beneficiation Centre.

For more information on this project please feel free to contact Douw Steyn or Samuel Kumbula