The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment alongside recycling organisations -ERA NPC, eWASA NPC and R2E2 NPC, paid residents about R136,000 for 26 tonnes of e-waste collected.
This coincided with the launch of an e-Waste Recycling Pilot Project and Imbizo at Ngangelizwe Rotary Stadium, Ward 3 in Mthatha.
The aim is to promote the disposal and recycling of electronic waste while raising awareness about environmental sustainability.
Bernice Swarts, Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, said the initiative will also encourage communities to reduce, reuse, and recycle waste in their environments.
“E-waste includes broken, unused, or old electronic devices such as televisions, computers, batteries, cellphones, and other electronic equipment” she said.
Speaking at the event, Nonkoliso Ngqongwa, Speaker of the OR Tambo District Municipality, said environmental pollution contributes to climate change and negatively affects weather patterns.
She also encouraged communities to work together in keeping the environment clean by disposing of and recycling waste responsibly, instead of dumping it carelessly.
Swarts also handed over 1000 trees to traditional leaders in the district.
About 60% are fruit trees and 40% are indigenous.
Picture: Supplied