As South Africa embraces circular economy principles and pushes for higher recycling rates, landfills remain a cornerstone of national waste management. Yet, their role is evolving. Modern facilities are no longer just about disposal, they are about minimising impact, recovering value, and managing waste as a resource.

This is the vision behind the Tonkmeter Resource Facility, a new-generation landfill in Gauteng. Since opening in March 2025, Tonkmeter has positioned itself not only as a site of waste burial, but as an integrated resource recovery hub.

A long road to reality

Alan Clarke, Director at Verref Capital, traces Tonkmeter’s origins back more than a decade. “Verref was originally part of Anglo American’s non-core assets,” he explains. “We operated one of the largest refractory businesses in Africa until 2012, then pivoted to property and infrastructure development, ranging from retail to renewable energy.”

The idea for Tonkmeter began in 2011. By 2017, Verref had secured a waste management licence, but struggled to find a buyer. That’s when a strategic decision was made.

“Instead of selling, we partnered with Leon Grobbelaar, CEO of Raalebborg Environmental, and built the first phase ourselves,” Clarke explains. The result: Tonkmeter Resource Facility, a venture with Verref as majority shareholder and Raalebborg as operating partner.

Engineering for environmental protection

Tonkmeter is classified as a Class B facility, meaning it accepts general and non-hazardous waste streams. Its engineering, designed by Peter Legg Consulting, goes far beyond regulatory compliance.

“The first cell includes a compacted clay liner (CCL) consisting of four layers of 150mm each, combined with a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) liner and a 300mm stone drainage blanket,” explains Grobbelaar. “This ensures that leachate is captured and diverted to sumps and storage dams, protecting groundwater.” The construction of the first cell and the associated infrastructure was completed by Jodan Construction in December 2024.

Crucially, the site’s own clay was suitable for liner construction, rare in the industry. “It has infiltration rates as low as 10⁻8 cm/s,” Grobbelaar says. “Some of the best clay our engineers have seen. It allows us to build a durable, natural barrier without relying solely on synthetic liners.”

Further innovations include subsoil drains installed two metres below the liner to relieve groundwater pressure, and embedded instruments to monitor stress, temperature, and chemical balance in real time. “It’s not just about tracking seepage,” Grobbelaar adds.

“We monitor the conditions that affect the liner’s lifespan and share that data to inform future designs.”

Despite robust infrastructure, unexpected challenges have emerged. Over 4,000 cubic metres of water, a large amount of this from a leaking Rand Water pipeline, had to be pumped and treated like leachate and subsoil water. “It’s clean water, but we have to manage it as if it could be contaminated. That’s the reality of designing for resilience,” says Grobbelaar.

Operations with a circular ethos

Tonkmeter is engineered for operational efficiency and environmental care. Waste is compacted and covered daily to control odours and prevent wind-blown litter. Aeration systems assist in treating contaminated stormwater.

Transport logistics are carefully managed: large ‘walking floor’ trucks deliver bulk waste from transfer stations, reducing traffic, emissions, and risk. The facility currently processes 6,500 tonnes per month, with capacity to scale up to 20,000 tonnes.

But the ultimate goal isn’t volume, it’s value recovery. “Airspace is expensive,” Grobbelaar explains. “We recover as much as we can before anything is buried. That’s why we call it a ‘Resource Facility.’”

Strict compliance and community accountability

Tonkmeter’s journey wasn’t without hurdles. “Our original waste licence was declined,” Grobbelaar recalls. “We appealed, won, and now operate under tight conditions: annual external audits, quarterly community meetings, and regular compliance reviews.”

Community transparency is a cornerstone of operations. Located near to a municipal landfill, local residents are familiar with waste issues and demand accountability. “We report regularly on volumes, environmental performance, challenges, and corrective actions,” says Grobbelaar. “It builds trust.”

Towards an integrated resource facility

Tonkmeter was always meant to be more than a landfill. The facility is transitioning into a full resource recovery hub, with a recycling and recovery centre expected to be operational in 2026. This will enable on-site material recovery, job creation, and support for local waste pickers.

Future plans include:

• Solar power generation on capped landfill cells
• Gas-to-power systems that capture methane for energy
• Employment and SMME development via waste-based enterprises.

“We’re building a circular model,” Grobbelaar explains. “Disposal is the last resort. We prioritise recovery, energy generation, and community support.”

Economic and social inclusion

Tonkmeter also plays a broader economic role. “This facility doesn’t just manage waste, it creates jobs and supports local businesses,” Grobbelaar stresses. Plans include formalising waste picker operations, providing training, safety gear, and reliable income.

“It’s about building an ecosystem where waste is managed responsibly, and livelihoods are supported.”

Challenges and expansion

Despite its strengths, Tonkmeter faces challenges. The Rand Water leak continues to be a burden, adding infrastructure and operational costs. Additionally, extreme weather tested the site early on, with over 500mm of rainfall within the first three months of operation.

“Our systems were stress-tested from day one, and passed,” Grobbelaar says.

Expansion is already in the pipeline. The first extension begins in 2026, followed by Cell Two in 2027. Tonkmeter is designed for a 35- to 40-year lifespan, with capacity to scale as waste volumes and recovery operations grow.

A new standard for South Africa

For Grobbelaar, Tonkmeter represents a shift in thinking. “This isn’t a dump site. It’s a fully integrated waste management facility,” he says. “From the liners and leachate systems to our future recovery centre – every part of this facility is about protecting the environment, recovering value, and building a circular economy.”

As South Africa continues to struggle with municipal landfill failures and illegal dumping, Tonkmeter offers a new model: technically advanced, environmentally sound, and socially inclusive.

“This is the direction we need to go,” Grobbelaar concludes. “Waste is not going away but we can change how we deal with it. Tonkmeter shows that it can be done, and be done properly.”