Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
SCRAP metal collectors are increasingly bridging the production gap by supplying essential metal materials to various industries while simultaneously championing metal recycling, a vital component of a circular economy.
This economic model emphasises the importance of sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling materials and products to prolong their life cycles.
In Bulawayo, the steel and foundry sector has benefited significantly from the contributions of scrap dealers, although challenges remain in this burgeoning industry.
In an interview, Zimbabwe Institute of Foundries (ZIF) founder and past president, Mr Itai Zaba said scrap metal collectors were key to the recycling of metal materials.
“Yes, scrap metal dealers are important agents in the recycling of scrap because they gather scattered scrap from the environment and bring it to the foundry industry where it is remelted into new metal products,” he said.
“The global demand for metals is surging, driven by their essential role in critical industries such as construction, automotive, and electronics. Given their widespread use and the finite nature of metal resources, sustainable resource management is more crucial than ever.”
He said in response to growing concerns about environmental degradation and resource depletion, scrap metal recycling has become a vital strategy.
Mr Zaba said the approach alleviates the severe environmental impacts of traditional mining and drives the transition towards a circular economy.
He, however, said without proper regulation the scrap metal industry could contribute to the escalating incidents of theft and infrastructure vandalism across the country.
“In the case of the foundry, when the dealers are allowed to export the scrap without regulation they create leakages from the local foundry value chain. Unlimited permission to export also pushes up local scrap prices, thus making the local foundry uncompetitive verse metal products imports and also works against the export potential of the foundries,” he added.
Mr Zaba who is also the founding member of the Zimbabwe Foundry Entrepreneurs Network, said there was need to explore the essential role of metal waste recycling in the circular economy, highlighting its environmental, economic, and social benefits, while ensuring regulations can be put in place.
A businessman in the foundry sector, Mr Tirivacho Tarubuda said there was a need to develop cutting-edge technologies in the metal recycling sector and examine the specific processes employed by scrap metal dealers to contribute to sustainable practices.
He said: “As a player in the foundry sector, we recognise the role played by scrap metal recyclers and the significant impact of scrap metal recycling on our economy. By reintegrating discarded metals into the production cycle, scrap metal recycling preserves natural resources and bolsters the economy through cost reductions and job creation.”
Sharing the same sentiments as Mr Zaba, Mr Tarubuda said there was a need to also regulate the sector and ensure both scrap metal sellers and buyers are licensed to curb the loopholes in the sector.
The Government is on record stating that it will initiate a policy that bans export of scrap metal to ensure that it benefits local industries.
Illegal scrap metal exports are said to be bleeding the economy of potential foreign currency earnings amid indications that an estimated US$5 billion worth of scrap material has been traded to neighbouring countries in the last 20 years.
