Resisting disposability: Survivalist entrepreneurs in South Africa’s informal recycling sector
Journal for Transdisciplinary Research in Southern Africa
| Field | Value | |
| Title | Resisting disposability: Survivalist entrepreneurs in South Africa’s informal recycling sector | |
| Creator | Loots, Olivia Ntsala, Palisa G. | |
| Description | Waste is an increasing global environmental issue. South Africa’s informal sector plays a crucial role in diverting recyclables from landfills. Despite their indispensable contributions, informal recyclers form part of a societal group that is marginalised, negatively labelled and deemed ‘disposable’ under neoliberal capitalist structures. This article draws on data from interviews held with 21 participants who work in the informal recycling sector in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) in South Africa. It investigates the participants’ own perceptions of their societal role, of which four became prominent, namely: (1) cleaners of the environment, (2) providers for dependents, (3) informal environmental educators and (4) community uplifters. We argue that the participants’ positive self-views can be seen as a powerful counter-narrative that challenges harmful prevailing stereotypes, which allows for a more nuanced perception of their lives and labour. Their positive self-perceptions and resourcefulness should not be interpreted as an endorsement of neoliberal capitalism that compels them to actively combat stigmatisation. Instead, their determination to resist negative stereotypes simultaneously underscores the necessity of confronting stigmatisation in society.Transdisciplinary contribution: The parallel themes of agency and autonomy in both informal recycling and entrepreneurship prompt a reconsideration of the conventional entrepreneurial discourse and its applicability to marginalised communities. We recommend that informal recyclers’ accumulated knowledge, skill set and well-being be acknowledged to ensure their dignity and that their labour is valued. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS | |
| Date | 2024-07-11 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/td.v20i1.1455 | |
| Source | The Journal for Transdisciplinary Research in Southern Africa; Vol 20, No 1 (2024); 10 pages 2415-2005 1817-4434 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:
https://td-sa.net/index.php/td/article/view/1455/2503
https://td-sa.net/index.php/td/article/view/1455/2504
https://td-sa.net/index.php/td/article/view/1455/2505
https://td-sa.net/index.php/td/article/view/1455/2506
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