Initiative to Boost Awareness Around Risks of Open-Waste Burning in Communities

The project aims to reduce open burning incidents, increase recycling, strengthen community voices in policy development, and ultimately contribute to cleaner air and healthier communities.

Durban, South Africa (09 December 2025) – A new collaborative initiative is rolling out across some of the country’s most pollution-affected regions. It aims to raise a higher awareness, especially among schools and households, about the dangers of open waste-burning, while also collecting data to better understand the environmentally harmful activity.

The project, a collaboration between the South African Waste Pickers Association, the Clean Air Fund, groundWork and the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), will operate across three air quality priority areas, including the Vaal Triangle, the Highveld and the Waterberg-Bojanala region.

Why is there a need for awareness around the impacts of open waste-burning?

It remains a severe contributor to air pollution in South Africa, particularly in low-income communities. According to the 2022 CSIR SA Pathways report, 37% of households do not receive weekly waste removal services. Consequently, 29% or 196 kilotons of household waste remains uncollected and is often illegally dumped or burned.

The initiative focuses on raising awareness around the health, environmental and climate risks linked to open-burning, while also gathering data to better understand how often it occurs and what drives it.

Waste pickers will become the environmental leaders of the initiative.

“Waste pickers will play a central role in the awareness campaign, helping communities understand the risks of open burning while strengthening local recycling networks. Through training and integration into formal systems, waste pickers will be recognised as essential environmental stewards and supported to improve their livelihoods.”

Schools are entry points for awareness, and that awareness will trickle into communities and households.

“The project focuses strongly on schools, community groups, and households. Engagements include educational activities on the dangers of open waste burning and practical tools for managing waste safely and sustainably. Reducing open burning and encouraging recycling will help mitigate the harmful effects of air pollution, including respiratory illnesses and climate impacts from emissions.”

A baseline research study, conducted through door-to-door community surveys, will gather key data on how and why open burning occurs.

“We are proud to partner with SAWPA, CAF and Groundwork on this vital project. Enabling our schools to lead on sustainable waste management will not only reduce open burning and its harmful emissions but will also equip a generation of young South Africans with the knowledge and skills to build cleaner, healthier communities. Our Eco Schools learners and teachers are powerful agents of change; together we can reverse the harmful cycle of open waste burning and create a more sustainable future for all.” shares WESSA CEO, Cindy-Lee Cloete.

Sources: Supplied

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