In Zimbabwe, metal scrap collecting is reducing environmental pollution

Africanews (in English)

In Zimbabwe, metal scrap collecting is reducing environmental pollution  Collecting scrap metal is a way for some of Zimbabwe's poorest people to make a living. But the job is also an environmental bonus, removing waste that would otherwise pollute the landscape.  READ MORE : http://www.africanews.com/2025/07/04/in-zimbabwe-metal-scrap-collecting-is-reducing-environmental-pollution  Subscribe on our Dailymotion channel and receive all the latest news from the continent.    Africanews is available in English and French.  Website : www.africanews.com  Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/africanews.channel/  Twitter : https://twitter.com/africanews

Transcript

00:00One man's trash is another man's treasure.

00:05In Zimbabwe, collecting scrap metal has become a way for many low-income inhabitants to make a living.

00:13Every day they dig for springs from old mattresses, car parts or tins in one of the many dumpsites of the capital.

00:22I left my job as a security guard during the hyperinflation era because it was no longer worth my while to be in formal employment.

00:33I would receive $30 instead of $120.

00:39I then decided to collect scrap metal, which is a cash-and-carry business, and get paid upon delivery.

00:49Across Harare, thousands like Mabisa live off scrap metal.

00:55The area generates about 1,000 tons of waste every day.

01:00Most of it goes uncollected, according to the city council.

01:05On a good day, I can earn between $7 and $8.

01:11I then deduct $2 to pay for hiring the pushcard.

01:15After that, I am left with $5, which I take home.

01:19I am actually able to pay my rent.

01:23But the activity doesn't only benefit the collectors.

01:27Removing non-biodegradable metals is also an efficient way of reducing environmental pollution.

01:33You find that these communities are actually some of the unsung euros that we could actually be talking about.

01:42Because when you look at scrap, no one could actually say, wow, this is a good job.

01:46But look at it this way, these are some of the green jobs that we are talking about.

01:50Quietly and piece by piece, the collectors are doing their bit to clean up the city and fight climate change.

01:59Quietly and piece by piece, the other people are doing their bit to change.

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