Minister of Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa, has published a notice to the paper and packaging; electrical and electronic equipment and lighting industries to prepare and submit Waste Management Plans for approval under sections 28(1) and 28(5) of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008 (Act no.59 of 2008), in Government Gazette no: 40207.

The call to these sectors follows the Department of Environmental Affairs’ (DEA) commitment made by Minister Molewa during this year’s budget vote in Parliament when she said: “This year we aim to approve and begin the implementation of the three prioritised Industry Waste Management Plans (IWMPs), namely for the paper and packaging, electrical and electronic and lighting Industries respectively.”

Fast-tracking reuse and recycling

In an effort to fast track effective implementation of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008 (Act No. 59 of 2008) (NEMWA), the DEA has developed the National Waste Management Strategy, which promotes waste minimisation, re-use, recycling and recovery of waste. This initiative will contribute significantly towards diverting recyclable waste from landfill sites.

The paper and packaging; electrical and electronic equipment and lighting Plans will follow the Waste Tyre Management Plan which diverts waste tyres away from landfill. The Department of Environmental Affairs views these Plans as one of the co-regulatory mechanisms that will also award industry the opportunity to implement extended producer responsibility.

Urgent need

According to the Waste Information baseline study conducted in 2011 by the DEA, about 108-million tons of waste is generated per year, of which 97 million tons is disposed in landfills. Only 10% of the generated waste in South Africa was recycled in 2011.

The waste recycling economy is an exciting approach that will not only eliminate threats to environmental quality and its integrity, but also positively contribute to the growth and development of South Africa’s economy. It is through this economic ingenuity that the DEA will also contribute to sustainable development and inclusive green economic growth by facilitating employment creation, infrastructure, skills development and strengthening Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in the waste management sector.

The Waste Management industry has significant potential to grow the country’s economy and create much needed jobs for the people of South Africa. It is through such Industry Waste Management Plans that the government continues to work towards realisation of the right to an environment that is not harmful to the health and wellbeing of people in South Africa.