Central SA
Free State e-waste drive promotes recycling, jobs, and zero-waste economy─── ZENANDE MPAME 14:04 Tue, 11 Aug 2026
“People must not see waste as a dirty job. They must see waste as gold and trash as money.”
Deputy minister of forestry, fisheries and the environment Bernice Swarts launched an e-waste recycling pilot project and imbizo at the Meloding multipurpose centre in Welkom. Her department is working towards a future where zero waste is sent to landfill sites, with communities playing a central role in building a circular economy.
The department said achieving this goal would require South Africans to rethink how they manage waste, including unwanted electronic goods, while creating opportunities for recycling, resource recovery, small businesses and job creation.
The department’s e-waste recycling pilot project in Welkom is aimed at improving the collection, recycling, and responsible disposal of electronic waste, while reducing the environmental risks associated with hazardous materials found in discarded electronics.
It is also aimed at educating communities about the dangers of keeping unwanted electronic goods at home or disposing of them incorrectly.
E-waste includes broken or unused electronic items such as televisions, refrigerators, irons, kettles, washing machines, and toys.
“Our main goal is zero waste going to landfill sites,” said Swarts. “Once we achieve that, it will mean that South Africans understand the circular economy and are managing waste responsibly from their homes.
‘We want to teach communities about e-waste’
“We want to teach communities about e-waste and ensure that people understand that broken electronics should not simply be kept at home or disposed of at landfill sites because they contain harmful chemicals such as lead and mercury.
“People must not see waste as a dirty job. They must see waste as gold and trash as money, because there are opportunities for young people to establish buyback centres and SMMEs in the waste sector.”
The department wants buyback centres to be in communities because there is a lot of e-waste. Young people can open businesses through these centres and SMMEs, creating opportunities for employment and income while helping government manage waste properly, she said.
The initiative also encouraged young people and communities to establish buyback centres and SMMEs that can turn e-waste into an income-generating opportunity.
As part of the launch, community members were incentivised to bring electronic waste for recycling. Payment was calculated according to the weight of the materials collected.
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