South Africa meets global standards when it comes to and designing hazardous landfills and medical waste treatment facilities. This is according to Eugene Barnard, head of healthcare at medical waste management company Averda.

The company acquired new solid waste technologies at the end of last year. It also recently invested R250 million in the construction of a state-of-the-art hazardous waste landfill site in Vlakfontein which will support its operations through use of the solid waste technologies and SharpMed, who helped with the acquisition.

The new technologies will form an integral part of Averda’s waste management operations in South Africa aimed at offering a complete turnkey solution in healthcare waste management, managing director Johan van den Berg said.

Averda considers itself “one of the largest and most comprehensive end-to-end healthcare waste management businesses in South Africa”.

Solid waste technologies can increase industry footprint

Barnard said that this acquisition also boosts the company’s footprint in the medical waste sector.

It “will deliver a consistent and reliable service, world class management systems and procedures, the latest waste tracking technology and traceability, and state-of-the-art medical and hazardous waste technology and disposal facilities,” he said.

“Our fully integrated waste management solution draws on Averda’s global expertise, experience and strong track record,” he added.

He said Averda will employ the best people wherever the company operates and will draw on global expertise to enable skills transfer.

“The successful delivery of a service and operation is paramount to Averda,” he said.

Averda is the country’s first multinational waste management company and is headquartered in London. The company operates in 14 countries and has over 15,000 employees.