Scelo Sithole, 38, and Tumelo Ikaneng, 21, carry their trolleys filled with waste collected from rubbish bins in Johannesburg. A report commissioned by the department of environmental affairs estimated that there are 62,147 informal recyclers in South Africa, of whom about 25,467 operate on the streets, with the remainder operating at landfill sites. Their contribution saves municipalities in the country up to R750m in landfill space each year.
KRISHNA KUMAR SINGH 