uMfolozi Municipality and Polyco Open Buy-Back Centre to Strengthen Local Recycling Economy
New recycling facility and mobile Packa-Ching service expand access to recycling markets, support waste reclaimers and strengthen the local circular economy.
KWAMBONAMBI, KWAZULU-NATAL, 12 October 2026: uMfolozi Local Municipality and Polyco PRO NPC officially opened the uMfolozi Buy-Back Centre on Friday, 9 October 2026, at the uMfolozi Waste Transfer Station in Ward 2, KwaMbonambi, marking a significant step towards strengthening the local recycling economy and improving access to recycling markets for communities and waste reclaimers.
The opening brought together municipal representatives, industry partners, waste management stakeholders and community participants to highlight the role of collaboration, recycling infrastructure and waste picker integration in building a more sustainable local economy.
The facility forms part of a partnership established through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by uMfolozi Local Municipality and Polyco on 28 October 2024. The agreement provides a framework for collaboration on recycling initiatives, environmental awareness, community and small, medium and micro enterprise (SMME) development, data sharing, infrastructure opportunities and community mobilisation.
Previously used as a waste transfer station, the facility has been repurposed into a formal point where waste reclaimers can sell recyclable materials and participate more directly in 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 opportunities for waste reclaimers to earn an income through the collection and sale of recyclable materials.
From partnership to practical infrastructure
The launch programme highlighted the development of the local recycling value chain, the responsibilities of project partners and the investment required to establish and operate the facility.
Representatives from uMfolozi Local Municipality provided an overview of the municipality’s waste value chain, including the roles of waste pickers, the Buy-Back Centre and other stakeholders involved in recycling. The programme also addressed the alignment of partner responsibilities and the implementation of the existing MOU, alongside an overview of Polyco’s investment in the centre’s infrastructure, equipment and operational support.
UWY (Pty) Ltd introduced its role as the new operator of the Buy-Back Centre and outlined its involvement in the facility and the planned impact of its operations in uMfolozi.
The programme further included an e-waste initiative led by R2E2, which involved the handover of sponsored e-waste collection tools, broadening the discussion beyond plastic packaging to include other waste streams and the importance of responsible waste management.
Contributions from the South African Waste Pickers Association and GroundWork focused on advocacy, representation and support for waste pickers, emphasising the importance of integrating waste reclaimers into the recycling value chain. A waste picker’s account also brought a personal perspective to the programme, highlighting the lived experiences of those whose livelihoods are linked to recyclable materials.
Further discussions explored how district-level priorities can translate into practical community initiatives, as well as the impact of climate change on communities and the role of sustainable recycling in supporting climate resilience.
Bringing recycling markets closer to communities
A key highlight of the programme was a live Packa-Ching demonstration conducted by UWY (Pty) Ltd founder, N. Nxumalo. The demonstration showed how recyclable materials are weighed, recorded and purchased directly from waste reclaimers, illustrating the practical process through which collected materials enter the recycling value chain.
The programme concluded with a message of support from uMfolozi Local Municipality Executive Mayor, Cllr X.M. Bhengu, followed by the official opening of the Buy-Back Centre, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a facility walkabout and partner interviews.
The new facility builds on previous collaboration between the municipality and Polyco, which has supported environmental awareness and anti-littering campaigns, recycling workshops and the introduction of separation at source at 50 schools. The municipality also maintains a database of more than 300 waste reclaimers, providing a foundation for strengthening participation in the local recycling system.
By establishing a formal point for the collection and sale of recyclable materials, the Buy-Back Centre creates an opportunity to improve access to recycling markets, support local livelihoods and increase the recovery of materials that might otherwise be sent to landfill.
For the municipality and its partners, the facility provides practical infrastructure through which existing environmental education, recycling and community development initiatives can be strengthened.
“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,” said Lisl Doherty, Enterprise Development Manager.
Strengthening the local circular economy
The opening of the uMfolozi Buy-Back Centre demonstrates how collaboration between local government, industry and community stakeholders can translate environmental commitments into practical initiatives.
Through investment in recycling infrastructure, operational support and waste picker integration, the partnership aims to strengthen the systems that enable recyclable materials to be recovered and returned to productive use.
The centre and mobile Packa-Ching service represent an important addition to local recycling infrastructure, with the potential to improve access to recycling opportunities and support a more inclusive and sustainable waste management system in KwaMbonambi and the surrounding communities.
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 leading South African Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO), representing over 700+ members and advancing a circular economy for plastic packaging. Through strategic investment in collection, recycling infrastructure, waste picker integration and education, Polyco works with industry, government and communities to divert plastic waste from landfills, create economic opportunities and keep valuable materials in circulation.
For more information, visit www.polyco.co.za.
Media enquiries
Boitumelo Mmakou
Public Relations
Email: boitumelo@empowaworx.co.za
Mobile: +27 (0)71 400 5152
