Turning Waste into Opportunity: The Urban Surfer Story

Urban Surfer, founded by former waste picker Sifisi Gumbi, is revolutionising the recycling sector in South Africa by supporting waste reclaimers with tools, training, and formalised workspaces. Through innovative concepts such as reclaimer recycling camps and corporate partnerships, Urban Surfer not only improves working conditions but also integrates reclaimers into a revenue-sharing model. This grassroots approach, in collaboration with private landowners and corporations, addresses the dual issues of informal waste management and homelessness, creating a replicable model for sustainable urban development that aims to spread nationally across South Africa.