Tree · Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
African Reclaimers Organisation
Johannesburg's reclaimers organising for dignity and a fair place in the recycling economy
Since 2018Works across the regionHighveld grasslands
- waste pickers
- reclaimers
- recycling
- separation at source
- labour rights
- sorting centre
A membership-based, democratic organisation of reclaimers (informal waste pickers) working on Johannesburg's streets and landfills. Members run separation-at-source collection with residents across nearly 100 neighbourhoods, operate their own sorting centre in Selby, and push the City for recognition, fair prices and social protection.
ARO grew out of the Interim Johannesburg Reclaimers Committee (2017) and launched publicly in September 2018. Its reclaimer-run sorting centre in Selby covered wages and running costs within six months, employing 27 people with UIF and funeral cover, sorting and baling materials indoors instead of on landfill. In late 2025 ARO was negotiating with Pikitup and the City over social plans for reclaimers as Johannesburg's landfills near capacity, after the temporary closure of Marie-Louise landfill cut income for 140 reclaimers.
What they need
Can you help? We'll take it to them.
- Fair integration into municipal waste systems
- Social plans for landfill reclaimers
- Regulated prices for recyclables
- Sorting facilities and equipment
What they offer
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- Separation-at-source recycling collection for households
- Reclaimer-run sorting centre
- School recycling outreach
- Experience of waste picker integration with cities