Gauteng recyclers honoured for recycling innovation

GAUTENG recyclers and community-based initiatives have been among the standout winners at the 2026 Petco Awards, with projects in Orange Farm, Alexandra, Diepsloot, Roodepoort and Johannesburg recognised for their impact on recycling, education and job creation.

- SATURDAY STAR REPORTER

In 2017, with just R300 to spare and driven by the unemployment challenges in his Orange Farm community, Tumelo Morolo launched a small recycling business.

Today, Morolo Recycling has scaled up to serve around 1 500 households from two sites - and diverted an impressive 600 tonnes of recyclables from landfill last year.

Tumelo Morolo is just one of many such sustainability champions countrywide who've been spotlighted with the announcement of the annual Petco Awards, where he earned the Entrepreneur of the Year accolade.

This year, one of the country’s top sustainability awards recognises 10 winners across eight categories, and celebrates the achievements of those who have made extraordinary contributions to the collection and recycling industry in South Africa - often against the odds.