Swellendam is about to celebrate a major step forward in environmental care, economic opportunity, and community empowerment. After more than two years of planning and collaboration, the town’s first Buy-Back Centre has finally opened , and you’re warmly invited to be part of this milestone.
Venue: Swellendam Landfill Site, XF88+36, Swellendam, 6740
Directions: From the N2 (heading toward George), take the first right onto Swellengrebel Street (gravel road). Follow signs for Bontebok Landfill and Swellendam Airport. After 1.4 km, the entrance will be on your right.

What Is a Buy-Back Centre, and Why Does It Matter?

A Buy-Back Centre is a facility where residents and community collectors can bring sorted recyclable materials, such as plastic, paper, glass, and metal; and receive payment for them. This model, known as Polyco’s Packa-Ching model, is designed to:

• Create income opportunities for individuals and families
• Encourage responsible recycling habits
• Reduce the volume of waste sent to landfill
• Build a cleaner, more sustainable community

This initiative is funded and designed by Polyco and operated in partnership with DZIKO Recyclers, Swellendam’s only registered processor of mixed recyclables.

Whether you’re a household looking to reduce waste, a business seeking sustainable practices, or someone simply curious about how recycling can benefit your community, the Buy-Back Centre offers real value:

• Earn money for your recyclables
• Support local jobs and environmental stewardship
• Learn how to sort and prepare materials for maximum impact
• Be part of a growing movement that turns waste into wealth

A Community Effort with Lasting Impact

The Buy-Back Centre is more than a recycling point, it’s a practical, inclusive solution that reimagines waste as a resource. It brings dignity to waste work, creates economic opportunity, and helps protect the natural beauty of Swellendam.

Let’s build a future where every bottle, box, and can has the potential to do good

♻️ Recycling in Swellendam Municipality

Recycling is not a municipal service. The Municipality supports recyclers to help keep materials out of landfill.

Background

Elton from OnPoint Recycling previously collected recycling at several points on condition that drop-off sites were manned and material removed immediately. His service ran from 07:30–09:00, Monday to Friday, at the following locations:

• Monday – Berg Street (Swellengrebel side)
• Tuesday – Voortrekker Street outside Pick n Pay
• Wednesday – Station Street outside Desmond Tutu Library
• Thursday – Corner of Fairbairn & Somerset Street
• Friday – Trichardt Street opposite Car Wash

On 24 October, Elton announced that he was stopping all recycling due to not having premises to sort and store material. A new recycler, DZIKO Recycling, has since started collections.

Current Situation

DZIKO Recycling is now operating:

• Monday – Corner of School Street & Andrew Whyte Street
• Tuesday – Berg Street, Swellengrebel side

Additional collection days (Wednesday–Friday) will be added soon.

Important Clarifications

• Recycling bags placed with black refuse bags will go into the compactor truck and end up at landfill.
• If a recycling point is unmanned and material is left behind, it is regarded as illegal dumping.
• Waste pickers operate across South Africa and are recognised as workers within the circular economy under the Constitution and the Waste Picker Integration Guideline. Engagement with them continues, with encouragement of responsible behaviour.

Current Drop-off Options

Residents in Swellendam, Barrydale, Suurbraak, Infanta, and Malgas have several recycling solutions:

• DZIKO collections on Monday and Tuesday (see above)
• Drop-off bins at Spar and AHM, with PnP, SSK, and Checkers coming soon
• Recycling programmes at 15 local schools (small daily amounts welcome)
• E-waste: container in front of PnP or at the computer shop on Jansen Street
• Organic waste: free drop-off at the landfill for composting, or home composting where possible
• Swellendam Buy Back Centre: opened last week, with DZIKO to advertise how it works soon.
  👉 Read more: From Waste to Wealth – Swellendam’s Buy Back Centre Opens

Next Steps

Structured recycling guidelines will be shared with the community once DZIKO confirms their full schedule.

Contact

For direct questions, contact:
📞 DZIKO Recycling – 079 117 545