Waste management is key to a HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

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.