uMfolozi Municipality and Polyco Open Buy-Back Centre to Strengthen Local Recycling Economy
New recycling facility and mobile Packa-Ching service aim to improve access to recycling markets for low-income communities and waste reclaimers.
KWAMBONAMBI, KWAZULU-NATAL, 8 October 2026: uMfolozi Local Municipality and Polyco PRO NPC will officially open the uMfolozi Buy-Back Centre on Friday, 9 October 2026, at the uMfolozi Waste Transfer Station in Ward 2, KwaMbonambi.
The launch marks the next phase of a partnership established through a memorandum of understanding signed on 28 October 2024. The agreement provides a framework for collaboration on recycling, environmental awareness, community and SMME development, data sharing, infrastructure opportunities and community mobilisation.
Previously used as a waste transfer station, the facility has been repurposed as a formal point where waste reclaimers can sell recyclable materials and connect with the recycling value chain.
The Centre will be operated by UWY (Pty) Ltd, which will also operate Polyco’s mobile Packa-Ching Trailer. Together, the permanent facility and mobile service are intended to bring recycling markets closer to communities and create more accessible routes for waste reclaimers to participate in the recycling economy.
From partnership to practical infrastructure
Since the MOU was signed, the partnership has supported anti-littering and environmental awareness campaigns, recycling workshops and the introduction of separation at source at 50 schools.
uMfolozi Local Municipality also has a database of more than 300 waste reclaimers, providing an opportunity to strengthen their participation in the local recycling system.
The Buy-Back Centre builds on this work by providing infrastructure that connects communities, waste reclaimers and the recycling industry. It is designed to support the recovery of recyclable materials, reduce waste sent for disposal and strengthen participation in the local circular economy.
As part of the launch programme, UWY (Pty) Ltd will conduct a live Packa-Ching demonstration, showing how recyclable materials are weighed, recorded and purchased from waste reclaimers.
The programme will also include the official opening of the facility, as well as contributions on the municipality’s waste value chain, support for waste reclaimers, climate change and the role of partnerships in strengthening recycling.
“The uMfolozi Buy-Back Centre turns our shared commitment to recycling into practical, accessible infrastructure for communities and waste reclaimers. By bringing recycling markets closer to where people live and work, the Centre will help increase materials recovery, support livelihoods and advance a more circular economy. This partnership shows what is possible when industry, municipalities and communities work together towards a shared environmental and economic goal,” says Lisl DohertyEnterprise Development Manager.
A practical story for local communities
The launch provides an opportunity for media to explore the practical impact of recycling infrastructure and the role of collaboration between local government, industry, communities and the recycling sector.
The event will offer opportunities for:
Official opening: The formal opening of the Buy-Back Centre by uMfolozi Local Municipality and project partners.
Packa-Ching demonstration: A live demonstration of how recyclable materials are weighed, recorded and purchased.
Waste reclaimer perspectives: First-hand insights into the opportunities and challenges facing waste reclaimers within the local recycling value chain.
Partner interviews: Interview opportunities with representatives from uMfolozi Local Municipality, Polyco PRO NPC, UWY (Pty) Ltd and participating recycling-sector stakeholders, subject to availability.
Facility visuals: An opportunity to see how a former waste transfer station has been repurposed to support materials recovery.
For communities, the facility provides a more formal route into the recycling value chain. For waste reclaimers, it creates an additional point of access to recycling markets. For the municipality and its partners, it provides infrastructure through which ongoing environmental and recycling initiatives can be strengthened.
Event details
Event: Official launch of the uMfolozi Buy-Back CentreDate: Friday, 9 October 2026Venue: uMfolozi Waste Transfer Station, Ward 2, KwaMbonambiAddress: Saligna Road, KwaMbonambi, KwaZulu-Natal, 3915Programme: 09:00 to 13:00, subject to final confirmation.
About the uMfolozi–Polyco partnership
uMfolozi Local Municipality and Polyco PRO NPC signed a memorandum of understanding on 28 October 2024 to collaborate on environmental education and awareness, SMME and community development, recycling initiatives, data sharing, infrastructure opportunities and community mobilisation.
The partnership has supported environmental campaigns, recycling workshops, separation at source initiatives at 50 schools and activities aimed at improving materials recovery and the integration of waste reclaimers into the recycling value chain.
About Polyco
Polyco PRO NPC is a South African Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) dedicated to advancing a circular economy for plastic packaging. A non-profit established in 2011 by South African polyolefin plastic-packaging converters, it works to stop plastic waste from reaching the environment and landfills by promoting collection, recycling and responsible reuse. Through collaboration with industry, recyclers, municipalities and communities, Polyco works to keep valuable plastic materials in circulation.
For more information, visit www.polyco.co.za.
Media enquiries
For interviews, event attendance, access arrangements and further information:
Boitumelo Mmakou
Public Relations
Email: boitumelo@empowaworx.co.za
Mobile: +27 (0)71 400 5152
