ARO is a democratic organisation of over 6,000 reclaimers. We fight for recognition, fair pay, and justice — because the people who recycle South Africa's waste deserve to be treated with dignity.
The African Reclaimers Organisation is a mass-based, democratic organisation built and led by reclaimers themselves.
ARO is a mass-based democratic organisation of reclaimers, established in 2018. We call ourselves "reclaimers" — not "waste pickers" — because we are reclaiming both the recyclable materials that would otherwise go to landfill, and our dignity as workers doing essential work for South Africa. Our vision is a waste economy that recognises, includes, and fairly pays the reclaimers who already do most of the work. ARO Recycling operates alongside the organisation to put this vision into practice.
Reclaimers began organising in 2016 in response to threats against their livelihoods, culminating in the first-ever march of Johannesburg's landfill and street reclaimers. That founding action grew into the mass-based movement that is ARO today.
ARO is organised through 42 local branches across Johannesburg, each electing 2 representatives to sit on ARO's coordinating committee, which in turn elects an executive committee. ARO also has members organising in Mpumalanga and the Cape Town area.
Mpumalanga & Cape Town structures — pending detail from Luyanda.
Current Office Bearers
NPC Staff
ARO Recycling is the trading arm connected to the organisation, helping put ARO's vision of reclaimer-led recycling into practice on the ground.
It is estimated that between 60,000 and 90,000 people work as informal reclaimers in South Africa. They collect the majority of used recyclables that are recycled in this country.
Reclaimers are the people who collect, sort, and sell recyclable materials from streets, depots, and landfills — work that keeps South Africa's cities clean and its recycling industry running, largely without recognition or fair pay.
Reclaimers collect an estimated 80–90% of used recyclables that are recycled in South Africa (2015 estimate), saving municipalities hundreds of millions of rands in landfill costs every year while diverting waste that would otherwise pollute the environment.
ARO is a campaigning organisation. Our campaigns build pressure on government and industry, mobilise our members, and win recognition and rights for reclaimers.
ARO's projects demonstrate concretely that a reclaimer-inclusive model of waste management works better for everyone.
Real change requires changes in law and policy. ARO has been a consistent and effective voice in South Africa's national policy debates.
ARO's story has been documented by filmmakers, students, and researchers. These films are the visual record of a movement.
Campaign wins, policy developments, international events — what ARO has been doing and fighting for.
Recent third-party media coverage of ARO, surfaced automatically.
There are several ways to support ARO and the reclaimers who keep South Africa clean.
Put out your recyclables in a way that reclaimers can access, or contact ARO to join the Recycling with Reclaimers programme in your area.
Businesses and organisations can partner with ARO, buy from reclaimers, and ensure recycling contracts support the people already doing the work.
Financial support helps ARO organise, campaign, and run programmes for reclaimers nationally. Contact us to find out how to donate.
Contact Us to DonateAnswers to the questions we're asked most often. More will be added over time.
Whether you are a resident, a business, a researcher, or a reclaimer — there is a role for you in this struggle.
The most important thing a resident can do is simple: put out your recyclables in a way that reclaimers can access. Contact ARO to join the Recycling with Reclaimers programme in your area.
For businesses: buy from reclaimers, partner with ARO, and ensure your recycling contracts support the people doing the work.
For reclaimers: join ARO, register on SAWPRS, and organise together for recognition and fair pay.