Green Economy Journal Issue 56

WASTE
WASTE
Waste management
is key to a
HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT
Inadequate waste management poses a significant threat to the environment, polluting the
soil and ground water and undermining ecosystem functions and services.
BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY, FISHERIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Marine plastic waste is a global problem that threatens
biodiversity and wildlife, and originates mostly on land from
single-use plastics. When these products and packaging are
not properly disposed of, they leak into the environment.
The 2018 State of Waste report estimates that of the 55.6-million
tons of general waste that was generated in South Africa, 19 247 851
tons was organic waste and 65.2% was landfilled. To improve waste
management in South Africa, government is working to progressively
increase the number of households with access to weekly waste
collection; improve landfill compliance and is looking to the future
of waste disposal beyond landfilling. In this regard the reduction and
recycling of waste plays an important role.
Government aims to have 40% of waste diverted from landfill within
five years through reuse, recycling, recovery and alternative waste
treatment. The aim is to reduce the current amount of waste by about
25% over the same period and ensure a further 20% of waste is reused
in the economic value chain.
The year 2022 was a vital year in the implementation of the
Extended Producer Responsibility schemes for packaging products,
eWaste and the lighting sectors, and the Department hopes to
extend these schemes for batteries, pesticides and lubricant oils in
the near future.
Regulations for organic waste treatment, as well as the composting
of organic waste, were published in 2022 for implementation. This will
help ensure that organic waste, including food waste, is diverted from
landfills and used in composting and other sustainable technologies
South Africa joined member states of the United Nations Environment
Assembly in affirming its commitment to curb plastic pollution. But
this means that the Department needs to ensure that the transition
for plastic packaging is phased, and that the circumstances of the
domestic plastic industry are addressed. This includes the close
linkages with the food industry.
The 2020 National Waste Management Strategy identified food
waste and loss as a critical area that requires intervention. Thus,
the development of a Draft Food Loss and Waste Strategy which,
amongst others, aims to increase awareness on the impact of food
waste, align with chemicals and waste economy initiatives, strongly
integrate different disciplinary perspectives and best practices and
map out the determinants of food waste generation to deepen the
understanding of household practices and help design food waste
prevention strategies.
Food and beverage waste also has a significant impact on the
environment due to methane gas which contributes to greenhouse
gas (GHG) emissions produced when food spoils. Food production is
resource intensive, while resources such as water, labour and energy
are wasted, and biodiversity is impacted upon negatively.
Waste management extends beyond industry and civil society. It is
about individuals, households and those who earn a living through
waste collection and recycling. There are between 60 000 and 90 000
informal waste reclaimers working at the heart of South Africa’s
recycling economy, recovering mostly paper and packaging waste
from households and businesses.
Data published by the packaging sector prior to the Extended
Producer Responsibility regulations came into effect, estimates that
waste reclaimers collect 80% to 90% of post-consumer paper and
packaging for recycling. Government, industry and civil society
recognise the important role waste reclaimers play in the diversion
of valuable resources away from landfill and they promote the need
to formalise and protect these livelihoods and the circular economy.
Waste reclaimers are also a critical link between households and
recycling enterprises.
Although South Africa has made significant strides in improving
waste management since 1994, almost a third of households still do
not have regular weekly household waste removal services.
To achieve the goals of the National Waste Management Strategy,
national and provincial government must support municipalities to
develop local integrated waste management strategies.
The investment in yellow fleet (landfill management vehicles)
to municipalities is an important part of the effort. The Department
has, therefore, co-operated with National Treasury and the
Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(CoGTA) to change the Municipal Infrastructure Grant Policy so
that municipalities can access this grant to fund their yellow fleet.
In addition, the Department spent R42.4-million in the past financial
year to provide 22 vehicles to 19 municipalities across the country.
The vehicles include skip loader trucks, front-end loaders, compactor
trucks and other trucks required to transport waste within these areas.
Communities must begin to separate their waste at home so that
waste reclaimers can undertake their work in a dignified manner.
Households must teach family members not to litter and must work
with their neighbours to prevent illegal dumpsites. All of us must
participate in regular clean-up campaigns to beautify our communities
and protect our environment.
Government aims to have 40% of
waste diverted from landfill within five
years through reuse, recycling, recovery
and alternative waste treatment.
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