The Hammarsdale Waste Beneficiation Centre is revolutionising South Africa's waste management by creating over 300 jobs and promoting sustainable practices.
Image: Sipho Jack
The Hammarsdale Waste Beneficiation Centre has emerged as a pivotal player in the transformation of South Africa's waste management landscape, facilitating over 300 direct and indirect job opportunities in the local waste beneficiation sector.
Thembo Ntuli, the eThekwini Municipality's City’s Economic Development and Planning Committee (ECOD) chairperson highlighted the achievements of the centre during an oversight visit on Thursday.
The city's Economic Development Directorate manages their Circular Economy Programme, which includes the Waste Beneficiation Project.
The project is focused on advancing sustainable practices that convert waste streams into invaluable economic opportunities.
Ntuli described the initiative as a transformative shift in economic development. He said: “Instead of viewing waste as a burden, this Centre positions it as a catalyst for economic activity, a driver of entrepreneurship, and a platform for green job creation.”
Ntuli said it aligned with the municipal priorities focused on sustainable growth, infrastructure innovation, and community upliftment, by adopting a
The Hammarsdale Waste Beneficiation Centre, a flagship initiative implemented through a partnership with USE-IT, showcases a collaborative approach to waste management.
USE-IT is a Non-Profit Company promoting waste beneficiation and economic development.
“Our partnership with USE-IT, now in its three year cycle, demonstrates the potential of strategic collaborations where the Municipality benefits from expertise, technical capacity, and a robust developmental mandate,” said Ntuli.
During the oversight visit, councillors and municipal officials received a comprehensive overview of the Centre’s operations and its role in demonstrating how waste materials can be effectively utilised to support small businesses, promote skills development, and foster sustainable manufacturing practices.
USE-IT Managing Director Belinda Putterill spoke about the facility's purpose: “If I could summarise what happens here in one sentence, this site shows how waste can be turned into jobs, enterprises, and local economic opportunity.”
The Centre has been designed as a Circular Economy Hub, integrating waste recovery operations, enterprise incubation, and technology demonstrations into a single innovative facility.
The design allows key stakeholders to witness the complete waste value chain in action, from waste collection and sorting through to the development of new products and businesses.
During their guided tour, councillors observed several key operations, including waste aggregation and buy-back activities, wherein recyclable materials are collected, sorted, and sold into recycling markets.
These activities play a critical role in reducing landfill volumes while simultaneously creating income opportunities for small businesses and waste reclaimers.
Among the notable facilities within the Centre is the Electronic Cemetery, which specialises in the responsible dismantling and recovery of electronic waste materials.
Additionally, officials explored the Green Lighting recycling operation, focusing on the safe recovery of batteries and lighting components.