AFRICANUS Vol 30 No 2 ISSN 0304-615X - University of South Africa

Collectors estimated that they earned R6±R30 per day, with 45 percent earning
R6±R10 per day and 30 percent earning R16±R20 per day. Four collectors (one
female) earned R30 per day. If the estimated income is calculated as a monthly
income, based on the number of days worked by each collector, more realistic
figures for income are obtained (figure 2). A male collector, who worked seven
days a week earned R840 from collecting four recyclable commodities (cardboard,
newspaper, other paper and scrap metal).
Figure 2 Estimated monthly earnings of informal collectors, based on
their income per day and the number of days worked
Estimated earnings per month
Earnings per month (rands)
801±900
701±800
601±700
501±600
401±500
301±400
201±300
101±200
Male
Female
1±100
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Number of collectors (n = 20)
For seven (35%) collectors, Glenwood was their first collection area; they had
not collected elsewhere. Two of the 13 collectors who had collected in another
area (mainly in the Warwick Triangle or city centre), prior to moving into
Glenwood, no longer collected in those areas because, in their opinion, there
were too many collectors. In Glenwood/Berea, most collectors spent either five
(weekdays), six or seven days collecting; those collectors spent less time in
their second area of collection, where they had collected prior to moving to the
14