Newsletters

In this edition, Makgabo van Niekerk, PRO Alliance’s new Executive Director, reflects on her first few weeks in office.

In the spirit of Youth Month, we sit down with Paballo Lehapa, a 28-year-old member of the African Reclaimers Organisation (ARO) and a recycler who is quietly contributing to the circular economy. His energy, perspective and ambition are exactly what this industry needs.

We then bring you a brief update on the collaboration between PRO Alliance, waste picker organisations and the Fair Circularity Initiative (FCI). The pilot has led to a much closer working relationship between waste reclaimers organisations, and the Alliance. This is another important step in the waste picker integration journey.

We conclude by taking a look at the EPR legislation. As 2027 approaches and conversations around EPR 2.0 intensify, we reflect on what the framework has achieved, the challenges that remain, and what needs to change for the next iteration to deliver on its full potential.

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The PRO Alliance Quarterly Newsletter (Issue 3, March 2026) highlights strong progress in the BBC200 waste picker integration programme and related initiatives. It reports significant milestones, including over 16,000 registrations and 11,500 verifications on the SAWPRS system, alongside financial support distributed to waste pickers and the onboarding of 51 buy-back centres. The newsletter reflects on Phase 1 of the BBC200 project, which successfully established infrastructure, improved data visibility through national systems, and demonstrated that technology must be paired with training, trust-building, and consistent engagement to drive adoption and long-term impact.

Looking ahead, the focus for 2026 is on scaling the programme to more centres while deepening education, integration, and support for waste pickers and stakeholders. The newsletter also introduces the Fair Circularity Initiative, aimed at accelerating inclusion in the recycling economy, and features insights from a buy-back centre owner, emphasising real-world benefits and challenges. In addition, PRO Alliance shares its position on South Africa’s National Waste Management Strategy, advocating for practical, balanced implementation aligned with circular economy goals. Overall, the issue underscores a shift toward a more structured, inclusive, and data-driven waste management ecosystem.

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In this issue, we highlight the ongoing progress in strengthening South Africa’s recycling network, with a strong focus on integrating waste pickers and improving reporting systems.

We continue to expand the BBC200 project, growing buy-back centre participation and onboarding waste pickers through digital registration and cashless payment solutions — making the system more accessible and efficient.

We also introduce the redevelopment of the SAWPRS platform, designed to deliver real-time, reliable recycling data and simplify registration. This supports EPR compliance while fostering a more connected and collaborative circular economy.

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This newsletter highlights ongoing efforts to strengthen South Africa’s recycling ecosystem through collaboration between industry, government, and communities. A key focus is the formal integration of waste pickers and the digitization of buy-back centers to improve reporting, fair compensation, and material recovery.

The update also outlines progress toward Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance and the broader move toward a circular economy—reducing landfill waste while creating sustainable economic opportunities.

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