BCMM – Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality(BCMM), in collaboration with strategic partners the Buffalo City Metropolitan Development Agency (BCMDA) and the Border Kei Chamber of Business (BKCOB), has made significant strides in waste management through the implementation of the Public Employment Programme (PEP).
The initiative has generated 787 employment opportunities, transforming the lives of BCMM citizens and bolstering waste service delivery in various regions, including central business districts, formal and informal residential areas, and tourist attraction sites.
The PEP’s positive impact has been far-reaching, as highlighted by BCMM spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya. Apart from creating job opportunities, the program has facilitated community involvement and participation in waste management, enhancing the quality of BCMM waste services even during peak seasons.
The partnership has led to an increase in the recycling rate, primarily through the establishment of Buy Back Centres, which have enhanced the collection of recyclable waste. The Waste Picker Integration initiative, in collaboration with the University of Johannesburg (UJ), the Department of Fisheries, Forestry, and Environment (DFFE), and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), has successfully formalized and integrated Waste Pickers into the city’s waste management system, benefiting both the workforce and the environment.
Additionally, the BCMM’s solid waste department has implemented a comprehensive program aimed at ensuring a clean and green city, improving waste management services, beautifying the city’s entrances and exits, and reducing waste collection and transport costs.
Through these groundbreaking initiatives, Buffalo City Metro continues to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability, job creation, and environmental conservation, setting a benchmark for effective waste management practices in South Africa.
