DEA Minister Edna Molewa
The Waste Management Bureau will oversee the implementation of Industry Waste Management Plans (IWMPs), including the management and the disbursement of revenue collected from waste management charges.
There is currently one existing IWMP for tyres that is being implemented. IWMPs for three other waste streams (paper and packaging, electrical, and electronic and lighting) are at various stages of development by industry. These exclude several voluntary industry led extended producer responsibility schemes and public campaigns like the Rose Foundation, Collect-a-Can, and Make Mzansi Beautiful.
After addressing several concerns and comments from various individuals and organisations, Molewa said she will be publishing the Final Section 28 Notice call for final plans to be submitted for consideration and approval in due course.
“I know that you will be discussing these at this Khoro. The final notice and the discussions you will be having will enable us to have the three plans in place by end of this financial year. We need to conclude on this and then look at other possible waste streams to join the four that have been mentioned,” she added.
In order to monitor the implementation of these plans, the Waste Bureau is being operationalised. The functions of the Waste Management Bureau include progressively building capacity to provide specialist support for the development and implementation of these waste management plans and capacity building programmes to support government at national provincial and local government spheres.
National State of Waste Report
According to Molewa, her department will publish the first national State of Waste Report By the end of the third quarter this year. This will be developed with the data obtained from the South African Waste Information System (SAWIS).
According to the 2015 SA Packaging Recovery Assessment Report conducted by the Bmi Research group the following waste stream collection rates for recycling were achieved:
| |
|
| Glass |
40.1% |
| Metal |
65.8% |
| Paper (packaging and print) |
62.7% |
| Plastic packaging |
37.7% |
| |
|
The projected estimates for 2016 look even more promising:
| |
|
| Glass |
40.7% |
| Metal |
66.2% |
| Paper (packaging and print) |
64.0% |
| Plastic packaging |
38.2% |
| |
|
“These numbers also take into account innovation and best practice in industry in terms of lightweighting and re-gauging and the impacts of the economic downturn,” said Molewa.
“In this context I want to really applaud the industries involved for their increasing commitment and strides taken to divert waste from landfill sites into increased recovery and recycling. Your efforts are contributing to much needed job creation and beneficiation as we together strive to achieve the ideals of a circular economy philosophy in South Africa.”
