The National Waste Management Strategy (NWMS) came into effect in November 2011. As a legislative requirement of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008 (Act No. 59 of 2008), it aims to give effect to the objects of the Waste Act. It also aims to give strategic guidance to the evolution of the waste sector, one characterised by archaic practises that continually contribute to the country’s environmental challenges.

The gazetting of the NWMS represents an anticipated progression towards a sophisticated waste sector. A unifying vision is emerging in which the waste management hierarchy is universally applied and waste management contributes to the growth of the green economy. The NWMS is explicit about the role of partnerships among different stakeholders as the surest way of achieving the goals of the NWMS. PETCO, the recycling company specialising in the recycling of PET bottles and products, supports this sentiment as it is in alignment with the ambitious recycling targets it has set itself.

Presidential Outcomes and NWMS Goals

Through a consultative process, the overall goals and approach to implementing the NWMS were defined. Eight goals were set out. Furthermore, these were aligned to the performance agreements signed between the Presidency and the Ministries. The following table highlights those outcomes that have the greatest bearing on waste management:

Plastic bottles are not trash

No	Outcome	Output	Target
8	Sustainable Human Settlements and Improved Quality of Life	Output 2: Improve access to basic services	Refuse removal from 64% to 75%
9	Responsive, Accountable, Effective and Efficient Local Government	Output 2: Improving access to basic services	Refuse removal from 64% to 75%
10	Environmental Assets and Natural Resources are well protected and continually enhanced.	Output 3: Sustainable environmental management	Refuse removal from 50% to 80% by 2012 Percentage of landfill sites with permits increased to 80% by 2015 25% of municipal waste is diverted from landfill sites for recycling by 2012.

PETCO has come an enormous way towards the gaol or recycling as much or more than countries with a more advanced recycling economy like the US and the UK. But the organisation is not resting on its laurels. PETCO’s target for 2017 is for 58% of beverage PET to be recycled, amounting to a massive 95 448 tons.