We have all heard the benefits of recycling, and how it is meant to mitigate the harmful effects that landfills have, but how seriously does society take it?

In recent years there has been a considerable global push toward recycling, and reuse that would have one assuming that things are going well but South Africa has far to go if we are to fully realise recycling’s potential benefits.

The United Nations sees recycling as a means to “combat climate change, pollution, and resource depletion” while moving to a circular economy and more sustainable practices, but recycling has been around for a lot longer than we give it credit. There is evidence of paper recycling in Japan in 1031 AD, where the first municipal “dump” was introduced in 500 BC.

South Africa

90% of South Africa’s waste ends up in landfills, and only 10 % is recycled. For now, South Africa is still very linear, and relying on the older method of landfills but there is hope. Recycling represents an R25 billion industry in South Africa, and as the country prepares itself to shift into the circular economy the industry is sure to grow.

80% of the waste sector in South Africa is informal, done by waste pickers, and as they become formalised and integrated into the broader recycling industry there is a remarkable potential for stable, green job creation.

While there are no laws that mandate recycling among households, the 2020 amendment to the National Environmental Management Act is pragmatic in the South African context. The act seeks to “increase recycling initiatives” and divert waste to landfills most notably by introducing extended producer responsibility laws which put pressure on producers to ensure their packaging and products are environmentally friendly and recyclable.

From industry to home, recycling is easiest when there is separation at source. Separating your household waste into recyclables and organics is an easy way to help the environment and recycling initiatives.

Global recycling day

The idea behind Global Recycling Day is to promote recycling at all levels. Every year on the 18th of March the initiative crowns 20 ‘recycling heroes’, either a person or organisation that “champions recycling and sustainability.”

The competition is open to everyone, and winners receive $500 and a social media feature on the Global Recycling Day channel.

For more information please follow this link.

Recycling is a vital part of moving South Africa to a circular economy while helping the people, and planet along the way.

ReSource Magazine relaunch

ReSource Magazine is the integrated waste-management magazine in South Africa. As the official magazine of the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA) ReSource covers the entire sector’s news, and activities showcasing the amazing efforts of the South African waste sector.

In our relaunch edition, coming out soon, recycling is championed throughout, we speak to the South African Waste Pickers Association (SAWPA) about how the on-the-ground workers are working towards a sustainable South Africa, we find out from the CSIR how the waste industry can cover its skill gap, we cover how small scale biogas digesters are aiding economic empowerment, we see how the country is managing its new tailings laws, and much, much more!