Paper companies cut the amount of money received for recycled paper

By Chanel September

A Cape Town mother who pulled herself out of a life on the streets by running a recycling depot could soon lose her livelihood.

As big paper companies like Nampak and Mondi have dramatically reduced the amount of money they pay for recycled paper and cardboard.

Denise Felix, 47, who slept on the streets of Kalk Bay for 22 years, is now a worried woman. She earns about R1 500 a month but it has been enough to buy a wendyhouse in Seawinds which she shares with her daughter and granddaughter. Saliem Haider, of the city of Cape Town's solid waste management, said that according to Nampak, telephone directories weren't taken because the paper took too long to be processed.

It did not break down easily in water and the glue used to bind the pages was not acceptable in the recycling process.

Hugh Tyrrell, a marketing consultant for the city's waste wise programme, however urged the establishment of more markets for recyclables.