Public review and comment is being encouraged by the Drakenstein Municipality for the first proposed municipal waste-to-energy plant in South Africa.

Possible sites

Currently, the municipality has earmarked three possible sites for the project: a preferred and an alternative site on Erf 34 in Wellington, with both sites located in close proximity to the existing Wellington Landfill Site. The third option is the Erf 736 in Klapmuts.

“The public’s comments, involvement and feedback is very important,” the municipality said in a statement.

Waste management company Interwaste is the applicant for the proposed municipality project that has been named the Waste Recovery, Beneficiation and Energy Project.

“The Project is envisaged to play an important role in Drakenstein Municipality’s effort to divert waste from its current Wellington landfill site and in return generate energy from waste material,” the municipality said. “The existing site is running out of landfill airspace and based on current disposal volumes, it will need to close by 2023.”

Project components

The Project will have four main components:

• Materials recovery facility
• Municipal solid waste pressing plant
• Anaerobic digestion plant
• A direct combustion plant

Acting Municipal Manager of the Drakenstein Municipality, Jacques Carstens said that there are many benefits associated with the proposed project.

“Should it be approved by the Department of Environmental Affairs, following their stringent processes, the project will be one step further to reducing the waste that Drakenstein sends to landfills, and extend the current landfill’s lifespan from 2023 to 2035,” Carstens said.

“The Project will be a first for municipalities in South Africa and will consist of the latest, globally acceptable waste recovery and beneficiation technology,” he added.

Carstens explained that the project will also enable the Drakenstein Municipality to maintain affordable waste tariffs for residents and will have a longer positive impact on its electricity costs.

“Very importantly, the project will be a catalyst for job creation and economic development,” Carstens said.

Environmental Impact Report

A draft Environmental Impact Report, compiled by Resource Management Services can be viewed online at www.rmsenviro.co.za as well as at the Wellington, Paarl and Mbekweni Public Libraries until Wednesday, 30 November 2016.

An electronic Executive Summary is also available on request. Written comments may be submitted to Resource Management Services (Larry Eichstadt) at larry@rmsenviro.co.za by 30 November 2016.

The public are invited to attend Public Open Days and Public Meetings which will take place in early November 2016:

1. Public Open Day: 08 November 2016, 14:30 to 16:30, Rusticana Hospitality Estate, Klapmuts
2. Public Open Day: 08 November 2016, 18:30 to 20:30, Breakthrough Restoration Community Church, Wellington (Corner of Blossom & Klaasen Streets)
3. Public Open Day: 09 November 2016, 14:30 to 17:00, NG Gemeente Kerk Wellington Noord (Maccrone Street)
4. Public Meeting: 09 November 2016, 18:30 to 21:30, NG Gemeente Kerk Wellington Noord

“Public participation in all processes related to the project is essential,” Carstens said. “We encourage all residents to find out more about the initiative and to take the opportunity to raise any concerns they may have by attending these open days and meetings,”.

For more information about the Drakenstein Waste Recovery, Beneficiation and Energy Project, visit their website.