Waste Crisis

The Problem

South Africa’s Waste Crisis is a Missed Economic Opportunity

Millions of tons of waste are lost to landfills, open dumps, and illegal burning sites each year. Communities live with pollution, municipalities struggle with compliance, and entrepreneurs lose access to valuable materials that could power local economies.

Over 70% of township plastics are unmanaged
Less than 10% of waste is recycled nationally
Waste systems are fragmented, costly, and inefficient
Thousands of potential green jobs remain unrealized

solution

Our Solution

Circular Districts transforms local waste systems into circular ecosystems by integrating policy, data, enterprise development, and community action. This is GAD’s flagship model for creating green jobs, reducing waste, and building regenerative local economies.

model works

How the Model Works

PHASE 1 – Map, Govern & Mobilize

Waste-flow and landfill mapping
Bylaw and policy reform
Leadership forums
Demonstration labs
IDP integration

PHASE 2 – Activate, Incubate & Scale

Youth brigades and cooperatives
Circular enterprise development
Innovation hubs
SETA-aligned training
ESD partnerships

PHASE 3 – Invest, Integrate & Replicate

Circular infrastructure (composting, WtE, sorting)
Blended finance models
Carbon and ESG reporting
Replication to new districts

circular districts

What Circular Districts Delivers

10,000+

Green Jobs Created by 2027

50,000 Tons

District Circular Hubs Established

10+

Waste Diverted from Landfills

R500M+

Circular Value Unlocked

Youth, Women & Informal Collectors Empowered

Data-driven

A People-Centered, Data-Driven Circular Economy Engine

GAD provides the technical expertise, policy support, enterprise development systems, and technology tools needed to transform waste into value at district scale.