Waste-wise organisations will once again gather for one of the most important events on the environmental calendar this year, Wastecon 2016.

The theme for this year’s conference, which is taking place from 17 to 21 October 2016 at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg, is ‘The Changing Face of Waste Management’.

“We encourage people and organisations operating in the environmental and waste management industry to register for this exclusive conference where best practices will be shared from all over the globe,” says Prof Suzan Oelofse, president of the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA).

Early bird registrations are open and interested parties can benefit from the reduced fee before 31 May 2016.

The keynote speaker for the event is Torben Kristiansen, vice-president of waste and contaminated sites at COWI A/S based in Denmark.

With his extensive experience in waste management, Kristiansen will delve into the current status of the waste management industry, legislation and practice in Europe.

Consequences of legislation

He will share the intended and unintended consequences of the current European waste management legislation as well as the private sector’s involvement in waste management.

Kristiansen will also focus on the South African waste landscape, the recent policy and legislative changes and whether a European modelled policy will be viable in South Africa.

Other thought-provoking topics that will be discussed at the conference include e-waste, waste-to-energy, the role of industrial symbiosis in South Africa, the future of employees in the waste industry, leachate treatment, and the potential for new recycling industries from under-utilised waste streams.

Another key attraction of the conference is the wide range of exhibitors that will showcase their diverse waste management products and services.

The conference provides an invaluable opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their brands to public, educational and governmental delegates.

The social programme allows for networking with other key players in the waste management industry from both South Africa and abroad.