ReSource August 2014 by 3S Media

The official journal of the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa

Promoting integrated resources management

Landfill

Robinson Deep: gas-to-energy project launched

Recycling

Industry commits to ‘Zero plastics to landfill by 2030’

Cogeneration

A viable and effective power source for Durban

Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa

Renewables

Africa’s first concentrating cooling system

OILKOL WIRED

ISSN 1680-4902 R50.00 (incl VAT) • Vol 16, No 3, Aug 2014

FOR WASTE

Expert Expe err Opinion Golder’s Andre Venter, divisional leader of integrated waste G management solutions, discusses the development and execution of m tthe h new Waterval landfill site in Rustenburg

is printed on 100% recycled paper

contents www.3smedia.co.za ISSN 1680-4902, Volume 16, No.3, Aug 2014 The ofſcial journal of the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa

Promoting integrated resources management

Landfill

Robinson Deep: gas-to-energy project launched

Recycling

Industry commits to ‘Zero plastics to landfill by 2030’

Cogeneration

Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa

The RéSource team stands firmly behind environmental preservation. As such, RéSource is printed on 100% recycled paper and uses no dyes or varnishes. The magazine is saddle stitched to ensure that no glues are required in the binding process.

Renewables

A viable and effective power source for Durban

Africa’s first concentrating cooling system

OILKOL WIRED

Industry news

Africa Round-up

Landfill

Renewables

Technical paper

ISSN 1680-4902 R50.00 (incl VAT) • Vol 16, No 3, Aug 2014

FOR WASTE

Cover story

is printed on 100% recycled paper

Oilkol wired for waste

RéSource offers advertisers an ideal platform to ensure maximum exposure of their brand. Companies are afforded the opportunity of publishing a cover story and a cover picture to promote their products and services to an appropriate audience. Please call Christine Pretorius on +27 (0)11 465 6273 to secure your booking. The article does not represent the views of the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa, or those of the publisher.

Regulars

Sustainable packaging

27 29

Vice-president’s comment

Recycling master debut

Editor’s comment

Waste to energy

Institute news

Industry news Africa round-up

9 11

Landfill Pilot gas-to-energy project

Hot seat New landfill rewrites history

Recycling Association clarifies stance

Connecting those collecting

Zero plastics to landfill

Turning rubbish collectors into micro-entrepreneurs

infrastructure4

Energy efficiency Capturing heat

The full value of the 12L tax allowance

Renewables Tackling energy costs

An African first

Cogeneration – a viable power source for Durban

Technical paper Construction of coal ash landfills 43

in association with infrastructure news

App watch SA’s first locator app

Opinion Greenhouse emissions

Waste streams power energy

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www.infrastructurene.ws

RéSource Aug 2014 – 1

Vice-president’s comment

An opportunity to evolve With WasteCon 2014 taking place between 6 and 10 October, I took a trip down memory lane and scanned over the bound proceedings of previous WasteCons in my library.

lthough the name WasteCon was adopted in 1990, the 1992 conference was the first where it appeared on the cover page of the proceedings. The papers were also clearly typed at the turn of the computer age with some papers produced via typewriter, some via dot matrix printer and some even by laser printer. Who can still remember those dreadful slides that one had to keep in the correct sequence and always feared that the projector would somehow miss a slide or worse, get stuck on a slide? Not to mention that preparing those slides was a major pain. Fortunately, those days are past and technology has made these conferences much simpler and more convenient for presenters and delegates – even though Murphy is still around. This year’s WasteCon promises to be something else, if the theme is anything to go by. Wired for Waste, or like we would say in the Cape – ‘ingeplug, my broer’. The response for abstracts resulted in a wide variety of topics – not only landfill and legislation topics like in the early years – but topics that indicate a creativity in the management of, and exposure to,

the materials we call waste. This is in line with the way we need to start thinking if we want to minimise humanity’s footprint on this planet. We have also made provision for a number of very topical workshops where delegates will have the opportunity to participate and make their voices heard by the statutory decision makers. We believe this interactive approach is the way forward. This year, WasteCon will also host a technical tour with a difference. One option is to visit the Sustainability Institute and the Lynedoch Ecovillage while the other is to explore some of the local solutions to organic wastes. Interested parties should book online to avoid missing out. Then of course there will be the opportunities to network, meet old friends and make new ones. The opening day’s golfing is being organised specifically to encourage networking opportunities. I’m looking forward to rubbing shoulders with you all at WasteCon 2014!

Topics that indicate a creativity in the management of, and exposure to, the materials we call waste.”

Kind regards Jan Palm Vice-president: IWMSA

Patron members of the IWMSA

RéSource August 2014 – 3

KINGJAMES 24116

When you dump used motor oil into drains, or dispose of it unsafely, you’re not only threatening the environment, you’re threatening your well-being too. Used oil is a hazardous waste that can contaminate drinking water. Always use ROSE approved collectors and recyclers to dispose of your used oil. For more information call the ROSE Foundation on 021 448 7492. Email: usedoil@iafrica.com or visit: www.rosefoundation.org.za

RECYCLING OIL SAVES THE ENVIRONMENT

Funded by:

Editor‘s comment Publisher: Elizabeth Shorten Editor: Maryke Foulds Tel: +27 (0)11 233 2600 Head of design: Frédérick Danton Senior designer: Hayley Mendelow Designer: Kirsty Galloway Chief sub-editor: Tristan Snijders Sub-editor: Beatrix Knopjes Contributors: Jan Palm, Vis Reddy, Paul Jorgensen, Lisa Parks, Deepak John, Arthur Chien, Lloyd Wallace, Karel Steyn. Client services & Production manager: Antois-Leigh Botma Production coordinator: Jacqueline Modise Financial manager: Andrew Lobban Marketing manager: Hestelle Robinson Digital manager: Esther Louw Distribution manager: Nomsa Masina Distribution coordinator: Asha Pursotham Administrator: Tonya Hebenton Printers: United Litho Johannesburg Tel: +27 (0)11 402 0571 Advertising sales: Tazz Porter Tel: +27 (0)11 465 5452 Cell: +27 (0)82 318 3908 tazz@connect.co.za

Publisher: MEDIA No.4, 5th Avenue Rivonia, 2191 PO Box 92026, Norwood 2117 Tel: +27 (0)11 233 2600 Share Call: 086 003 3300 Fax: +27 (0)11 234 7274/5 www.3smedia.co.za Annual subscription: subs@3smedia.co.za R200.00 (incl VAT) South Africa ISSN 1680-4902 The Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa Tel: +27 (0)11 675 3462 Email: iwmsa@telkomsa.net All material herein RéSource is copyright-protected and may not be reproduced either in whole or in part without the prior written permission of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed in the magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or editor, but those of the author or other contributors under whose name contributions may appear, unless a contributor expresses a viewpoint or opinion in his or her capacity as an elected office bearer of a company, group or association. © Copyright 2014. All rights reserved.

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Addressing skills issues V

ery seldom has the death of anyone grabbed the soul of a nation the way the untimely and horrific death of Taegrin Morris did. The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) expresses its deepest sympathy and dismay at what has happened. Why would SAICE, a civil engineering institution, do so openly and without hesitation? First, it is because many of SAICE’s members are mothers, fathers and grandparents to little ones the age of Taegrin. Second, because civil engineering practitioners always try to find solutions in order to better or improve the quality of people’s lives! Last, South Africa is still losing this scarce priority skill because of the crime situation in our country. A strategic plan is needed: one where all stakeholders, including government, should stop talking, and start doing. Street committees could identify individual problems, report them and then act – in this way, festering issues could be solved timeously. Communities must take ownership to eradicate issues that detrimentally affect so many people. The shocking estimate that between 30% and 40% of all learners entering Grade 1 drop out and never reach high school, is disconcerting. These dropouts are the young people wandering the streets aimlessly, about whom the communities are concerned. There are numerous reasons why they are in this situation: • they have already failed grades • they cannot read and write • they cannot do maths/arithmetic • schools are not equipped with enough remedial educators to cope with the numbers • special schools, where these learners should go, often have waiting lists of two or more years • primary schools do not or cannot assist in finding these learners help in the form of psychologists who can assess them in the first place • primary schools cannot assist in finding these learners places in special schools. So, where does SAICE fit into all of this? The civil engineering and construction industries have a vast number of career options, and create job opportunities for unskilled people. However, the political will has to be there to roll out projects for the industry to play its role. Having said that, industry must be engaged at the outset of government’s planning initiatives. Moe Shaik, at the 2014 Infrastructure Africa Conference in Johannesburg, commented in Engineering News on 21 July 2014: “If we leave infrastructure development to the politicians, we’ll have a world full of white elephants; if we leave it to the engineers, we’ll have a world no one can live in; and if we leave it to the financiers, we’ll have a world no one can afford.” If he could assist in getting the SAICE structures and the Civilution Forum to interact with the infrastructure departments at national, provincial and local government levels, the engineering fraternity would unquestionably grab such an opportunity. Repeatedly SAICE has implored government to make use of their members’ expertise in the planning and execution of projects. This is another request to government: we are here, we are willing and we are able to help our government create jobs, and reduce the criminal vectors on our streets that destroy families and communities.

RéSource August 2014 – 5

Cover story

Wired for waste Christine Beukes, managing director of Oilkol, believes that, while technology is an important factor in building a sustainable future, respect for the environment is truly vital.

ollecting, handling, disposing or treating waste has become a specialised operation in South Africa and is fortunately better regulated than ever before. This is an impor tant step as waste is being generated at an ever-increasing rate and, if nothing is done to address this, we will end up living amongst our trash. More regulations mean improved record keeping and information systems, making access to impor tant data easier than ever before. In embracing the age of

6 – RéSource August 2014

information technology to the full, Oilkol is wired for waste in more ways than one. The company has not only set the standard for the collection of used oil and related waste, but also leads the way in electronically keeping track of this. The recording process should be taken full circle to not only record the waste and end-of-waste details, but include the sale and distribution of new products that end up as hazardous waste. This comparison is what will, in the end, determine the

success of becoming ‘waste intolerant’. Since their ISO 14001 cer tification in 2001, Oilkol deployed an electronic system called Zoom In Zoom Out (ZIZO) and the company has become ZIZO’s SADEC agents. Says Oilkol managing director Christine Beukes: ‘What makes it a useful tool is the fact that it is linked to our database software and our ever yday operations are being managed using ZIZO. This is an impor tant link in the chain to electronically integrate all our customers into our Environmental Management System. Any measures South Africa introduces, however, will not make a difference if the elephant in the room is not addressed – RESPECT. ‘Many problems in South Africa are the result of a great lack of respect. We have lost respect for ourselves and others and,

Cover story

OPPOSITE There is no respect for others without humility in oneself ABOVE Oilkol’s employees investing their time in the community

as a result, we have lost respect for the environment. Unless we, as a nation, change this dangerous attitude, we will pay the price.’ Oilkol’s activities are driven by respect for the environment, says Beukes. ‘This respect forms an integral par t of ever ything we do, including our contact with nature and our countr ymen. Oilkol has made a conscious decision to make respect the theme for our operations and in the process hopefully become a leader in changing attitudes.’ In the interests of public health and the constitutional right to a safe and clean environment, hazardous waste and waste disposal processes need to be controlled. Beukes believes we have not yet adequately dealt with the hazards or waste disposal. ‘We are living in an environment

that is slowly poisoning us, as much as we have poisoned it. This is a vicious circle in which we find ourselves and, although we as humans are fairly resilient, this is not a fight we are easily going to win. Respect is a strange phenomenon: you might lose it and decide to live without it, or you may be forced to become respectful again and balance will be restored. ‘ We now find ourselves out of balance, and par t of a disrespectful community. How do we restore the balance? Well, we can take action and restore it or nature cer tainly will. The planet will sur vive – as we have seen at Chernobyl and Bikini Atoll – but humans cer tainly will not. If we do not clean up our act, we will not sur vive. We need to take lessons from the more

respectful societies – like hunter gatherers – to relearn how to respect our environment and rebuild a symbiotic relationship with it. In South Africa, the San people of the Kalahari have this sense of respect for ever ything around them. We need to take this oppor tunity to learn from each other,’ concludes Beukes.

www.oilkol.co.za • +27 (0)86 110 1961

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, Oilkol or 3S Media. RéSource August 2014 – 7

Institute news

Reduce, reuse and recycle In light of the recent World Environment Day (WED), held on 5 June, and IWMSA’s support of reducing factors contributing to climate change, the institute feels that the growing environmental impact landfill sites have, needs to be addressed and that every citizen can help reduce this impact.

his year’s theme for WED is ‘Small Island Developing States and the growing impact climate change has on the world’s islands.’ In a statement by the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, he mentions that all countries are urged to do their part in setting the planet on a sustainable path and addressing climate change. The most recent National Waste Information Baseline Report indicates that South Africa generated approximately 108 million tonnes of waste in 2011, of which 98 million tonnes were disposed of at landfills. Only 10% of all waste generated was recycled during that year. According to Dr Suzan Oelofse, president of IWMSA, landfill gas is a general term that describes the gas produced during the microbial degradation of organic waste in a landfill. Landfills are among the biggest producers of methane, which is 21 times worse than carbon dioxide in terms of its

8 – RéSource August 2014

greenhouse effect and a contributing factor to climate change. According to the Greenhouse Gas Inventory for South Africa, conducted from 2000 to 2010 and published in 2014, the total greenhouse gas emissions from solid waste disposal on land increased by 72.3% over a ten-year period from 2000 to 2010. ‘Although the use of biogas from landfills to produce electricity is a good alternative to methane emissions in the environment, it should not be used to advocate landfilling as the best waste treatment option, since the present-day trend is towards waste minimisation rather than waste disposal,’ explains Oelofse. ‘There are a number of ways citizens can proactively contribute to landfill waste minimisation. First, people can start minimising organic waste generation. Food waste is one example of organic waste that can be minimised by recycling the packaging,

Every citizen must reduce their landfill footprint

giving away leftover food to the less fortunate and saving food before it spoils, for example making a hearty soup from leftovers. Second, citizens can compost organic waste, which is preferred over landfilling as it is an aerobic process that only releases CO2 and not methane, as is the case at landfills. Third, alternative technologies for organic waste management can be adopted, which include anaerobic digestion where waste decomposes in a controlled environment (reactor). The gas can then be collected and used as an energy source or converted to electricity. Alternatively, the gas can be flared off (burned) to convert methane to CO2, which is less harmful to the environment,’ concludes Oelofse. For more information about IWMSA, visit www.iwmsa.co.za

Industry news STRUCTURAL DRAINAGE LECTURE GETS CPD ACCREDITATION An illustrated lecture on structural drainage by Kaytech’s Julian Maastrecht has recently been accredited by SAICE for CPD. The lecture presents theoretical information on and practical applications of the various geosynthetic systems available.

YOUTH TO BENEFIT FROM WASTE About 100 young people from four municipalities in the North West are set to benefit from a R2 million youth-in-waste-management project. THE PROJECT, which started at the beginning of June 2014, is funded through the Department of Public Works’ Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) Grant. The project is set to assist municipalities to raise awareness about waste management, encourage youth to take part in waste management ventures, and forge partnership of stakeholders to provide resources for the implementation of the project, whilst creating temporary employment. The project will focus on waste management, which includes waste recycling or removal in areas such as schools, sidewalks, parks and central business districts. The municipalities that will benefit from the project include Tswaing, Mamusa, Maquassi Hills and Moretele, where the employed youth will receive a monthly stipend of R1 640. The project will run over a period of 10 months. At the end of the project, the young people will receive certificates of competence in basic waste management. A prize will also be awarded to the cleanest community where the beneficiaries were deployed. Spokesperson for North West local government and the Department of Human Settlement, Dineo Lolokwane says that once the programme is rolled out successfully in these four municipalities, the department will engage with the Department of Public Works to avail more funds, so that it can be extended to other municipalities. ‘The daily running of the project will be monitored by designated waste officers at municipality level and they will be supported by the department,’ says Lolkwane.

AMONG THE TOP TEN Atlas Copco has ranked number seven globally in the Newsweek Green Rankings, one of the world’s foremost rankings on corporate sustainability, and environmental impact.

THE LECTURE CONTENT will be beneficial for structural and civil engineers and technicians, as well as architects and quantity surveyors. The lecture is presented free of charge to professionals in engineering fields. The one-hour (0.1 CPD credits for ECSA-registered persons) programme covers the following topics: • What geotextiles, geospacers, perforated pipes, and geocomposites are and the different types available locally. • A practical design worked example. • Subsoil drainage behind retaining walls – products and applications with advantages and disadvantages. • Subsoil drainage under floors – products and applications with advantages and disadvantages. • Lightweight geocomposite drainage systems to roof gardens and planters – practical lightweight solution that offers added waterproofing protection. • Septic tank and stormwater attenuation systems – a new approach using HDPE tunnel formers instead of stone leachfields and soak pits. • Permeable Paving. An attendance certificate will be issued to each delegate and can be used to claim CPD points and motivate corporate Skills Development Levy claims. The lecture can be presented at a client’s premises or at any Kaytech branch in Durban, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and East London. Contact Julian Maastrecht at julian@kaytech.co.za or on +27 (0)83 252 6231 for further information.

THE RANKING WAS developed by US magazine Newsweek in partnership with Global Knights Capital. The majority of the data used in the ranking was pulled from Bloomberg’s Professional Service, which includes sustainability information on over 5 000 public securities from CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project). ‘This ranking is proof of Atlas Copco’s successful work in sustainability,’ says Mala Chakraborti, vice president of corporate responsibility. ‘Integrating safety, health and environmental issues into our operations create long-term value for the business, and we are grateful for the commitment of our employees who make such sustainable, profitable growth possible.’ Earlier this year, Atlas Copco was ranked one of the most ethical companies by Ethisphere Institute, recognised by the Global 100 list as one of the world’s most sustainable companies.

RéSource August 2014 – 9

NEM:WA

Your Responsibility, Our Solution Talbot Laboratories is a commercial environmental laboratory specialising in chemical and microbiological analysis of water, wastewater and solid waste. The specialists in our waste division adhere to the latest environmental waste legislation and trends. With over 10 years waste classification experience, our laboratory offers our clients definitive waste management solutions.Â Puzzled by how to classify waste? Contact Talbot Laboratories.

+27 (0) 33 346 1444 t talbot@talbot.co.za t www.talbot.co.za Talbot Laboratories is a business division of Talbot & Talbot (Pty) Ltd.

Africa round up

NEWS FROM AROUND THE CONTINENT AFRICA

US optimistic about powering sub-Saharan Africa The $7 billion pledge by President Barack Obama to upgrade the power supply in sub-Saharan Africa will significantly impact Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, Liberia, Ghana and Tanzania through the Power Africa initiative. ‘We have made tremendous progress in working with the six initial countries that are part of Power Africa, and in working with the private sector to ensure that we get more investment on the continent,’ says Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Assistant Secretary of State: Bureau of African Affairs. ‘There is great local excitement about Power Africa and the improvements that have been made in terms of companies investing in power on the continent and countries opening up markets so that it is easier to invest in African power. ‘Everything is open for discussion at the US-Africa Leaders Summit in terms of how we can improve energy availability in Africa. The CEOs, of whom there will be some energy-related ones, I think, are prepared and ready to invest.’

government of Cameroon. The intention is to set up the facilities in the northern part of the country, if possible, where solar irradiance is higher. The project is expected to gulp around $200 million in capital investment and will increase energy supply by 15%, as well as strengthen the country’s commitment to the use of renewable energy. The facilities will be developed in phases, with the first commissioning scheduled for 2015 and full operation predicted for 2017. ‘The next few months will be devoted to site selection, after which we will conduct detailed feasibility studies, with the phased construction process due to begin during the first half of 2015,’ Joule Africa president Mark Green explained. Joule Africa is currently developing a 607 MW Kpep hydroelectric project, at an estimated cost of almost $1 billion, in the West African nation.

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

$21 billion electrification project The multibillion dollar Power Africa project will begin with solar and wind installations and seek to double electricity

access in sub-Saharan Africa over the next five years. Of the 800 million people in sub-Saharan Africa, two-thirds have no access to electricity. Andrew Herscowitz, coordinator for Power Africa, says, ‘Power infrastructure in subSaharan Africa suffers from massive degrees of underinvestment compared to the developed world.’ Power Africa, announced last summer, is coordinating efforts in six countries – Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, and Tanzania – to add 10 gigawatts of electricity generation capacity. This is meant to increase electricity access by at least 20 million households. Wind farms in Kenya and Tanzania, and a solar project in Tanzania are among the first few projects earmarked. Based on findings by the International Energy Agency, subSaharan Africa needs more than $300 billion to achieve universal electricity access by 2030. The six countries short listed for Power Africa have averaged a combined investment of just over $3 billion a year in their electricity infrastructure, according to World Bank statistics.

However, the US electric power industry, in 2012, recorded capital spending of $90.5 billion, according to the Edison Electric Institute. The White House stated that the Obama administration will provide more than $7 billion in financial support and loan guarantees, as well as the support and expertise of 12 US government agencies. Private investors have agreed to contribute more than $14 billion in loans, loan guarantees, and equity investment. Power Africa is being projected as a new model of foreign aid by fostering collaborations between US government agencies and corporations. ‘We’re taking all our tools and working together on common goals,’ says Herscowitz. For example, Tanzania’s standard power purchasing agreement was for 15 years, but in order to obtain financing, one solar power deal needed a 20-year agreement. Power Africa helped convince the government to make a 25-year deal,’ claims Herscowitz. The initiative is also intended to drive financial transactions to push key reforms, stimulating private sector investments in the six African states.

CAMEROON

100 MW solar facility for Cameroon International energy developer, Joule Africa has signed an agreement with Cameroon to build 100 MW of new solar photovoltaic (PV) facilities in up to five different sites close to large-scale solar farms in the country. The agreement signed at the maiden UK-Cameroon Trade and Investment Forum in London will see Joule Africa partner with local company Bethel Industrievertretung and the

RéSource August 2014 – 11

Opinion

Managing greenhouse emissions in mining

Mines in African countries should explore green energy options on sites, as there are significant cost savings to be made from fast-evolving renewable technologies. By Vis Reddy, principal scientist and partner, and Paul Jorgensen, environmental scientist, SRK Consulting

any operations must make their own power supply arrangements, as they are too remote to access the national electricity grid or struggle with an unreliable supply. This usually involves establishing diesel generation on-site which adds significantly to the carbon footprint of the mine. Mines have to comply with resource efficiency and pollution prevention standards stipulated either by national regulations, by Equator Principles Financial Institutions (EPFI) like the International Finance Corporation (IFC), or by index listing requirements such as the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. The requirements usually include quantifying and reporting on greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with internationally recognised methodologies and good practice, such as the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol. In terms of the Equator Principles, the EPFI requires clients to report publicly each year if the project emits over 100 000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually. If emissions are over 25 000 tonnes, then clients are encouraged to report publicly. This can be done through voluntary reporting mechanisms such as the Carbon Disclosure Project. The IFC’s Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability stipulate that mines should consider

12 – RéSource August 2014

energy generation and usage alternatives and ‘implement technically and financially feasible and cost-effective options to reduce project-related GHG emissions during the design and operation of the project.’ This could include the use of renewable energy for generation and driving increased energy efficiency of operations. Developing useful and reliable accounting systems for monitoring carbon emissions is key to proactive managing risk and insulating the business from the effects of future regulations. It is easier to adapt the systems and measures rather than trying to address the problem retroactively. South Africa has committed itself to applying a carbon tax although it is not yet clear when how it will be negotiated. Treating cleaner energy as a luxury would be to miss a valuable opportunity. There is merit in being more innovative about managing GHG emissions, especially taking advantage of improved small-scale renewable energy generation technologies.

A mine could benefit from renewable energy as a strategy to gain a measure of ‘energy independence’

Africa’s climate opens up various opportunities to improve a mine’s bottom line. Regardless of the scale of the operation, a mine could benefit from renewable energy as a strategy to gain a measure of ‘energy independence’ – not just from an unreliable grid but from the carbon-based fuels traditionally used on-site. There are already quite a few small-scale solar projects that have proved successful in supplying a capacity of up to about 10 MW, which is enough power to run a factory process or a small mine. Opportunities also lie in the fact that mines often exist in clusters, where operations mine the same or adjacent ore bodies. In an ideal world, it would make sense for neighbouring mines to investigate energy solutions on a cooperative basis, using the economy of scale and sharing facilities. Interestingly, the current push towards renewable energy in many African countries suggests that their future policies and programmes will be more progressive than South Africa has been, despite the latter’s larger internal market. East African countries are enthusiastically involved in the Africa Clean Power Corridor initiative, and are setting ambitious renewable energy targets for themselves. North Africa has a planned network of solar-generated

Opinion electric schemes, with an eye on exporting electricity to Europe. Even hydropower is on the table as an option for small-scale applications, and is being explored in West Africa, as well as in the DRC. Looking 20 or 30 years ahead at Africa’s power options, the energy mix is likely to be very different, which will bolster any efforts mines are making to find clean energy solutions. Indeed, reliable and affordable technologies in renewable energy may well open up opportunities for mining in areas where access to conventional sources has been prohibitively expensive. The reputational and financial impact is important for a mine’s stakeholders, including its financiers and increasingly greenminded shareholders. A mine’s investment in renewable energy may also help facilitate electricity provision to surrounding communities. The opportunities are there, and deserve urgent concept and feasibility studies. Besides looking at clean energy initiatives, there are instances where the use of

renewable energy is not the best practical option for reducing a mine’s carbon footprint. In such cases, offsets are an alternative option and could include planting trees, which could have the effect of a carbon sink – a reservoir to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. However, there is some debate on the real efficacy and impact of this option. Carbon offsetting is still a relatively new concept that, in South Africa at least, is still in development from a policy perspective. From an African perspective, value could be derived from putting in place emission reductions that qualify as a Clean Development Mechanism project or through a Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation mechanism, both as defined by the Kyoto Protocol. These options involve highly complex certification processes, but the sale of carbon credits and the establishment of positive community initiatives would bring both financial and social benefits. While this may not be technically regarded as offsetting, it is a more attractive proposition

ABOVE LEFT Vis Reddy, principal scientist and partner at SRK Consulting ABOVE RIGHT Paul Jorgensen, environmental scientist at SRK Consulting

in regions where legislation regarding carbon emissions is relatively weak. Offsetting should be viewed as the last option in the mitigation hierarchy, as it merely offsets the negative impacts of GHG emissions by providing a less impactful, though more visible, boon instead of steering energy generation for mining operations towards a more sustainable and profitable source that produces fewer GHGs.

RéSource August 2014 – 13

Specialist Waste Management Consultants Sustainable and appropriate engineering solutions with integrity and professionalism

HDPE Capping at Vissershok Waste Management Facility (H:H)

Pearly Beach Drop-off

Integrated Waste Management Plans Waste Disposal Strategies Identification and permitting of landfill sites Design of General and Hazardous Waste sites Design of Solid Waste Transfer Stations Design of Material Recovery Facilities Optimisation of Waste Collection Systems Auditing of Waste Management Facilities Development of Operational Plans Closure and Rehabilitation of Landfills Quality Assurance on Synthetic Liners Waste Recycling Plans

Highlands Material Recovery Facility

Vissershok Waste Management Facility Encapsulation Cell

Jan Palm Consulting Engineers

Paarl Transfer Station

Tel +27 21 982 6570 / Fax +27 21 981 0868 / E-mail info@jpce.co.za / www.jpce.co.za

Landfill

Pilot gas-to-energy project for Robinson Deep

The City of Joburg, in conjunction with EnerG and Pikitup, has identified the need for low-carbon city developments. The Joburg Landfill Gas-To-Energy Project is one of its success stories writes Maryke Foulds.

ities across South Africa are facing increasing amounts of greenhouse gases released by the burning of fossil fuels for energy and emissions from landfill sites. Trapped heat, which is a direct result of these, is causing gradual increases in temperature and more intense and frequent extreme weather events. As part of climate mitigation programmes around the City of Joburg infrastructure planning and regulations are impacting on programmes such as integrated waste management. Landfill gas-to-energy projects capture methane for energy provision and have

14 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; RĂŠSource August 2014

a direct bearing on greening the city and providing long-term alternative waste treatment technologies, which will divert waste from landfill sites.

The current situation COJ currently has six landfill sites, four of which are in operation. As part of the requirements for waste licenses, periodic monitoring of air quality has concluded that there are high concentrations of landfill gas in the surrounding areas. The projects, initiated in 2007, were awarded to EnerG Systems Joburg and will run over 20 years at no cost to COJ. During the feasibility study, it was found that five of the six sites have enough gas to generate electricity. These are Robinson Deep, Marie Louise, Goudkoppies, Linbro Park and Ennerdale. The renewable energy generated from the project will be fed to the municipal grid, offsetting a possible

ABOVE The site has been in operation since 1932 BELOW The gas-to-energy system was commissioned through EnerG

19 MW of electricity. This can power approximately 12 500 middle-income households and will be the largest such project to date in South Africa upon completion.

The project The project focuses on a combination of vertical gas wells and horizontal gas collectors, which are installed in the waste mass. A network of piping connects the wells to the gas carrier main, which is connected to a two-stage blower, which places a vacuum on the waste. Gas is then pulled from the waste into the gas management compound and delivered to the flare where the gas is combusted, earning carbon credits. Methane is 21 times more harmful in its effect on global warming than carbon dioxide. Methane is however converted to carbon dioxide through the combustion process. Eventually, electricity generators will be installed to supply gas as fuel to generate

Landfill

Additional

BENEFITS • GHG emission reduction • Reduced odours • Employment opportunities • Revenue generation for COJ • Green electricity generated • Contribution to electricity stability in COJ

electricity, which will be connected into the local electricity distribution grid.

Progress to date Licences were received in 2010 after the environmental impact assessments were done. Construction at Robinson Deep was completed and commissioned in 2013, with 64 gas wells installed. Construction at Marie Louise was completed and commissioned in April 2012. Development on the remaining sites will commence in July 2014. To date, the Robinson Deep site has produced 144 862 VERs and burnt 19.375.570 Nm3 of landfill gas. A total of 21.263 VERs were produced and 3.522.664 Nm3 of landfill gas destructed at the Marie Louise site. Some of the benefits include the following: • an alternative disposal of problem gas

while simultaneously harnessing it as an energy source • carbon credits for the reduction of methane releases or special renewable energy tariffs • participation in the REIPP process • improved landfill space • fewer complaints on odours from surrounding landowners • compliance with environmental legislation and compliance with the City GDS 2040 (shift to low carbon economy).

Challenges faced during the project Some of the challenges faced included: • the continued uncertainty regarding continuity on the future of Kyoto and the role of CDM post 2012 • perceptions that the CDM is too much effort for too little reward • cumbersome processes and a drop in carbon prices

ABOVE Excited visitors to the site

• the exclusion of CERs in the European Union Emission Trading Scheme from developing countries for projects registered after 2012 • using proven methodologies that are not necessarily applicable in South Africa • the waste licence was only obtained after two years • the lack of political support in implementing the project. RéSource August 2014 – 15

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Hot seat

New landfill rewrites history

When it became apparent that a new landfill was on the cards for Rustenburg, the Rustenburg Local Municipality looked to Golder Associates Africa on how to best facilitate this. Andre Venter, divisional leader: Integrated Waste Solutions and project manager for the development and construction supervision at the site, discussed some of the project’s challenges.

enter says, ‘A disposal-needs assessment indicated that a landfill with airspace capacity of between 4.8 and 8.8 million m3 was required for a 30-year period. Nine potential candidate landfill sites in the Rustenburg area were identified and evaluated in terms of their economic, social, technical and environmental suitability. We decided on the Waterval site, which covers 107 ha, situated on land owned by Anglo Platinum and historically subject to underground and opencast mining. When mining activities were abandoned in the mid-nineties, the mine amended the EMPR to accommodate the new waste disposal facility.’ Golder was appointed as the consulting engineer for the licensing and design stage, as well as construction management and supervision of the project. The current contract includes site clearance and bulk earthworks, two general waste disposal cells including landfill liner systems and drainage systems, a lined inert rubble disposal cell, the construction of a leachate and contaminated stormwater ponds, site roads, water reticulation, and sewer and stormwater systems. In addition, the contract also includes the construction of various on-site buildings and facilities such as ablution and canteen

16 – RéSource August 2014

facilities, an educational/training centre, a guard house, taxi stop, weighbridges, workshop, public drop-off facility and fencing. Venter and his team identified that the abandoned opencast pits, after being equipped with appropriate liner systems, could be used as cells for the disposal of general and inert waste. Existing stockpiles and berms could also be used for construction or the daily cover material during the operational life of the landfill. During the end-of-life closure and rehabilitation of the operation, the site will be shaped and capped with a liner and covered with a layer of topsoil and vegetation. Says Venter, ‘The development of the site has been split into two phases with the majority of Phase 1 development taking place as part of the current construction contract. Phase 1 consists of a relatively small pit (25 000 m3) that will be developed into a rubble disposal cell. Four large general-waste cells (two of which are being constructed under the current contract) surround the pit. A significantly larger pit is located in the area set aside for Phase 2, which at a later stage could significantly increase the size of the facility. ‘The current contract will see the construction of disposal facilities allowing for mainly

general waste (non-hazardous waste), as well as inert building rubble. It is anticipated that the site will receive between 137 000 and 210 000 tonnes of waste per annum. With the two general waste cells currently being constructed, this would equate to a capacity for between six and eight years, depending on growth and recycling efforts. Should the other two larger cells, which also form part of Phase 1 be constructed, the total capacity will increase to approximately 15 years.’ The landfill is classified, in terms of the Minimum Requirements, as a GLB- facility, i.e. general waste (G) disposed in a large landfill (L) that has little potential to generate leachate due to rainfall and evaporation (B-). It has been allocated a Class B certification in terms of the new National Environmental Management: Waste Act 2008 (Act nr 59 of 2008) GN R 636: National Norms and Standards for Disposal of Waste to Landfill. The facility will serve the district of Rustenburg and surrounding towns will be incorporated in the future. Although not part of the current construction contract, a materials recovery facility as well as composting facility is envisaged for the near future. Allowance has also been made in the design for landfill gas extraction and management,

Hot seat which is gaining in popularity and a requirement for landfills in South Africa.

Functions of each major facility The two large waste cells will receive general, non-hazardous waste. These cells are equipped with a Class B liner and drainage systems. The liner system includes a layer of geosynthetic clay liner, which is covered by a 2 mm HDPE geomembrane. This is covered by a non-woven geotextile under a 150 mm stone layer with a woven geotextile covering. Perforated pipes are installed within the stone layer at given intervals to collect any leachate. The perforated pipes, which are within the lined cells, flow into a sealed leachate pipe that leads to the leachate pond. Water that runs off the top of the waste in the cells, which is considered less polluted, will flow out of the cell and into the contaminated stormwater pond through a spillway. When operations begin, the liner system will be carefully covered by a pioneering layer of waste for protection. After this, waste will be deposited into the cell and then covered with a soil layer on a daily basis. Waste will also be compacted to optimise the use of airspace and extend the life of the facility.

Rubble disposal cell The construction of the rubble disposal cell is challenging and interesting from an engineering perspective. Constructed in an abandoned opencast mining pit, an earth stabilised wall had to be built in order to line the walls of the pit. The wall is constructed in geogrid reinforced layers with a liner being installed to cover the wall every five to seven layers. Wick drains and a sump system were constructed behind the wall to collect any water that may accumulate in this area, while another sump is to be constructed within the liner layers to collect leachate inside the cell. The cell will be used to dispose of building rubble and will have the same liner system as for the cells. A wide slope has been formed and compacted with an entrance ramp into the pit to allow for trucks to enter and exit.

leakage detection layers. The compacted surface is covered by a 1.5 mm HDPE geomembrane, which is then covered by a cuspated drainage layer. This layer acts as the secondary leakage detection layer and any water that enters the layer will be diverted to a sump where the water will be detected. A second, 1.5 mm HDPE liner is then installed and covered by another cuspated drainage layer, the primary leakage detection layer, also connected to a separate sump. Any significant amount of water found in either leakage detection layer would indicate a leak in the system that would require attention. These two liners and drainage layers are then covered by a 2 mm HDPE geomembrane. During collection, the highly polluted leachate, which has run through the waste in the cells, will be diverted to the leachate pond, while the less polluted, but still contaminated, run-off will flow to the contaminated stormwater pond. Contaminated runoff is water which has either flowed over the surface of the waste or water which may be contaminated by activities on-site. The runoff in the contaminated stormwater pond will be subjected to evaporation or used for dust suppression; however, the water will only be used to suppress dust in the ‘contaminated areas’. The highly polluted leachate, which is channelled to the leachate pond, will be evaporated or may be removed for treatment at the nearby Rustenburg sewage treatment plant if necessary. Perimeter berms surrounding the entire site will separate clean and dirty run-off. Thus, all run-off from the areas outside the perimeter berms will be clean and may safely drain into the surrounding environment.

Public drop-off facility This will be constructed on the infrastructure platform. It is a raised area with a ramp for private users to drive up, park and off-load

waste into skips located on a lower level. Facilities for recycling will also be installed.

Materials recovery facility Feasibility studies will determine its construction. It will allow for materials to be separated making sure that only non-recyclables are sent to the cells. This will not only increase lifespan, but also create additional jobs.

Challenges The project is not without its challenges however, states Venter. ‘It is a quarry site, so the engineering designs and liner requirements are very conservative to ensure all environmental risks are properly managed – specifically the groundwater. Ongoing underground mining activities result in water still being pumped out, with the water table in places as deep as 1 500 m under the ground. Studies have also shown that even if the mining stopped, the water table could need 80 years to rise to pre-mining conditions, so chances the landfill will impact it would be highly unlikely.’ For Golder, it has been a unique project in terms of its engineering and environmental challenges, water management, public participation and other additional studies that were required. The size of the site, coupled to the fact that its design takes into consideration aesthetics as well as environmental initiatives, means that it will blend very well into the existing environment. Policing, monitoring and management of the site are crucial to ensure the facility complies with the conditions of the waste-management licence. The creation of short-term employment opportunities, with an approximate R15 million financial investment in the local economy of the area, is a great bonus to the community and the industry at large. www.golder.com

Ponds Two ponds are currently under construction: the leachate and contaminated stormwater pond. The liner system on the ponds is essentially a triple liner system with two

ABOVE LEFT The new Waterval landfill in Rustenburg RIGHT The liner system includes a layer of geosynthetic clay liner

RéSource August 2014 – 17

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Thank you.

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Thank you.

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SAV

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STO

Join POLYCO. Everyone will be grateful.

for the Industry in South Africa. Join us.

www.polyco.co.za

waste to landÄŽll by 2030 weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all going to need to work together. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see more grateful consumers, more smiles for the jobs we create, a happier planet, and a great many thank-yous. 9LVLW XV DW :DVWHFRQ 6WDQG 0 Ä&#x192; 2FWREHU

Profile

Dynamic vision for POLYCO Recently appointed CEO Mandy Naudé has a dynamic vision for POLYCO: a 35% polyolefin recycling rate by 2019 and zero plastics to landfill in South Africa by 2030. Maryke Foulds reports.

ince its creation two years ago, POLYCO (The Polyolefin Recycling Company) has established its name in recycling circles. Initially created by the South African Polyolefin Plastic Packaging Converters, POLYCO continues to focus on signing up new members in order to provide millions of rands of financial support for polyolefin recycling projects. These projects will create employment and income opportunities for hundreds of people. Says Naudé: ‘POLYCO’s goal is simple: to create an organised and committed network of packaging converters united in their commitment to extended producer responsibility by way of the voluntary industry recycling levy. The funds paid by converter members are used to increase the amount of post-consumer packaging polyolefin plastics being recycled or diverted from landfill. In doing so, we aim to meet the recycling rate target of 35% by 2019, as set in the paper and packaging industry’s waste management plan and submitted by industry to government.’ Naudé is a passionate believer in focusing POLYCO’s attention on supporting the entire recycling industry value chain by growing volumes of separation, collection, sorting, recycling and end-use demand for polyolefin plastics. ‘We are committed to achieving the objective of sending zero plastic packaging to landfill by 2030 and will be playing a very active role supporting the implementation of a variety of related projects.’ POLYCO will also actively support the reclamation of energy projects in order to extract green energy from the non-recyclable

polyolefin plastics and other waste materials currently going to landfill. Through waste beneficiation processes, such as incineration and pyrolysis, 440 000 tonnes of polyolefin plastic packaging could potentially be diverted from landfill by 2030.

and 2 400 tonnes per annum). These projects focus on optimising the supply chain within the collection and recycling industry in order to maximise the growth in tonnes separated, collected, sorted and recycled, and by addressing current supply chain constraints.

Waste beneficiation projects These projects focus on supporting technology development projects that are aimed at the extraction of value from polyolefin plastic packaging that is not suitable for mechanical recycling and currently going to landfill.

Funding projects with punch POLYCO will be investing R10 million during the next year, across the recycling value chain, to address current areas of constraint. This will be in accordance with the organisation’s key project categories.

Strategic growth and development projects These aim to increase the economically viable collection and recycling of postconsumer polyolefins. These projects focus on optimising the utilisation of existing collection and recycling infrastructure and help facilitate infrastructure establishment where it does not exist. The projects are required to deliver substantial growth in tonnes separated, collected, sorted and recycled.

Supply chain efficiency projects These will support new or existing initiatives that contribute to the sustainable growth of the ongoing collection and sorting of polyolefin plastics (between 1 200

End-use development/R&D This will focus on promoting the use of polyolefin recyclate in a range of consumer product applications, with the aim of replacing virgin or other materials. Products made from recycled polyolefins range from garden furniture and equipment and paving blocks to refuse bags, crates and detergent bottles.

Visible consumer projects These initiatives do not necessarily involve significant volumes, but promote and contribute to the visible recycling of polyolefins. Naudé concludes: ‘The latest available market intelligence confirms that the demand for clean, quality recyclate material exceeds the supply of available feedstock, thus reinforcing the need for POLYCO to focus a greater portion of its project funding on additional collection growth projects.’ The POLYCO operations team and board members

Mandy Naudé studied marketing and sales and worked in market development for 5 years and business management for 10 years. She headed up the food ingredients division of Protea Chemicals, before joining POLYCO in January 2014. She is action orientated, results driven and loves working with people.

RéSource August 2014 – 19

Profile POLYCO WINNERS Since 23 March 2014, POLYCO has been in the news regarding their latest call for proposals to provide support funding to projects that will grow the separation, collection and sorting of post-consumer polyolefin packaging. ‘WE RECEIVED 56 applications for support. Each one was carefully evaluated against the funding support criteria, and a shortlist of 10 applicants was recommended to the POLYCO board for approval,’ Naudé says. The final step in the process saw POLYCO visiting each of the shortlisted applicants at their premises, where a further in-depth review was conducted to gain additional information and to understand their businesses better and allowing for company feedback. The proposed funding support for each shortlisted applicant was presented to the POLYCO board on 15 July 2014, and total funding support for just under R4 million was unanimously approved. ‘ We are thrilled with the final list of our newest POLYCO partners. These support projects will generate an additional 16 000 tonnes of post-consumer polyolefin collections over the next three years, as well as create 340 potential jobs in the industry. The POLYCO funding business model is building momentum and positively impacting the recycling value chain,’ concludes Naudé. The successful applicants who will be receiving funding for their projects are: InWaste Green The Moses family, who started their recycling operation five years ago, are continuously growing their business. They now run a 100% vertically integrated operation, by collecting, recycling and producing products from recycled polyolefins. With POLYCO’s funding support, InWaste Green will be installing new equipment in their Tembisa buyback centre and will be fitting cage conversions to their trucks. ‘This is a dream come true for us and we are truly honoured to be partnering with POLYCO. We see this as a platform to elevate our business as high as it can go,’ says Eliran Moses of InWaste. Mpact Recycling Mpact Recycling has a successful and established model of buy-back centres around South Africa. POLYCO is excited to partner with them in the Zululand region with the establishment of a new buy-back centre. ‘We are ecstatic about being awarded POLYCO’s support funding. There is a big need for recycling projects in rural KwaZulu-Natal, and this has the potential to grow polyolefin collection in the area,’ says Ushan Naidoo of Mpact Recycling. Verigreen Verigreen is a 100% vertically integrated collector, recycler and product manufacturer of polyolefin drawstring bags. Verigreen has launched their Supa Mama project, whereby they empower woman breadwinners to earn a living wage, through the collection of polyolefin packaging. With POLYCO’s support, Verigreen will be fitting cages to their trucks to maximise collections from their Supa Mama collectors. ‘POLYCO’s funding will enable us to grow the network and we envision that the branded trucks will be like moving billboards helping us spread the message of how we are empowering women and helping communities,’ explains Thina Maziya of Verigreen. MyWaste MyWaste has been in operation for the past 10 years, offering a free website service for all buyback centres or recyclers in South Africa. With POLYCO’s support,

20 – RéSource August 2014

the website will be further developed to become an education and consumer awareness platform on material identification, drop-off locations, green product directories and events. It also offers the facility to send educational messages and material requirements to the buy-back centres and recyclers – to encourage the collection volumes of specific material types. ‘POLYCO’s funding offers a helping hand, not a handout. Thanks to partners such as POLYCO, we are able to increase traffic to our website and offer an even better service to our users,’ says Mark Gibson of MyWaste. Myplas contracted collectors POLYCO will be providing equipment funding support to three contracted scrap plastic collectors that supply Myplas, in order to facilitate the collection and granulation of new sources of material for supply to their recycling operation. The benefit of supporting contracted collectors is the direct link between the growth in tonnes collected and recycled. ‘This funding is much needed to create new employment opportunities and boost scrap collection in rural areas. We are very grateful to partner with POLYCO and our suppliers,’ says Johann Conradie of MyPlas. TWK Recycling Based in Grabouw in the Western Cape, TWK Recycling is a 100% B-BBEE organisation that was originally formed as part of an entrepreneurial development programme. POLYCO’s funding support will be in the form of equipment to establish three depots which will be used for collection and sorting. Support will also be provided for a trailer and granulator in order to service outlying towns and reduce logistic costs. ‘We wish to express our sincere appreciation to POLYCO for assisting us in expanding our waste-collection footprint,’ says Jo Kearney of TWK Recycling. Paul Rantofi Paul Rantofi is based in the Eastern Cape and currently services the Butterworth area. With POLYCO’s support in the form of trailers and cages, Paul will be expanding to enhance polyolefin collection volumes from this previously under-serviced geographic region.‘I would like to thank POLYCO for selecting my business for this funding. What was only a dream is now a possible reality all thanks to POLYCO’, says Paul Rantoffi. ’The funding will now provide our small business with the resources necessary for growth and realise our potential as a small business. The Recycling Incubator (TRI) TRI has been established to implement the separation-at-source programme in conjunction with the recently commissioned Bon Accord Recycling Centre in Pretoria. POLYCO’s funding support will be in the form of operational equipment to optimise TRI’s collection capabilities, which will increase the availability of post-consumer recyclate for mechanical recyclers. ‘The recycling and separation-at-source industries need as much support as we can get. The POLYCO funding reduces the risk for projects of this nature, and enables those much-needed first steps. We are hoping that local governments will follow suit by lending support in a practical way, instead of merely talking about it,’ says Campbell Barnes of TRI. FROM LEFT Mark Gibson of MyWaste, Eliran Moses of Inwaste Green, Mandy Naudé of POLYCO and Ushan Naidoo of Mpact Recycling

Recycling

Association clarifies stance Oxo-biodegradable plastics under the spotlight according to an official position paper by executive director Anton Hanekom.

n an official position paper, Anton Hanekom, he states that Plastics SA ‘welcomes and supports any innovations that enable plastic products to meet the required high-quality performance standard. However, confusion still exists around the environmental claims made by manufacturers of degradable plastics. The general perception is that degradable plastics will dissolve and disappear over time versus conventional plastics that will be around forever. Unfortunately, it is not that simple.’ It is important to stress the importance of understanding that bio-based plastics are not always biodegradable and that biodegradable plastics are not always biobased. ‘It is possible to make biodegradable polymers from fossil raw materials. It is essential to make this distinction in order to avoid confusion when addressing different societal and environmental concerns of bio-plastics. It is also essential that those who use the additives consider the sustainability implications of these additives on the recyclability of plastics.’ The general term ‘bio-plastics’ is wrongly used to describe different concepts, which often leads to confusion. The biodegradability and compostability of material properties are regulated by international standards with Plastics SA distinguishing between the following:

• Biodegradable plastics are degradable due to the action of microorganisms and enzymes. The aerobic and anaerobic decay of biodegradable plastics by microorganisms is the conversion of the organic matter into carbon dioxide (or methane), mineral salts, and water under specific environmental conditions, either through processes in nature or man-made (e.g. degradation in industrial composting plants, anaerobic digestion plants). • Compostable plastics are degradable due to biological processes occurring during composting and are converted into carbon dioxide, water, mineral salt and biomass. There are no toxic side effects like toxic residue for water, soil, plants or living organisms. Not all biodegradable materials meet compostable criteria. Materials that do not fulfil these criteria may still be biodegradable under specific environmental conditions. To ensure that waste treatment facilities work properly, only plastic waste that is compliant with standards and requirements of the respective facility should enter composting streams. • Bio-based plastics are derived entirely or partially from renewable resources such as vegetable fats and oils, corn or starch. Fossil fuel plastics are derived

RéSource August 2014 – 21

Recycling

from petroleum. The use of renewable resources as feedstock in the production of bio-based materials is seen as a way of educating the dependency on oil. Hanekom explains, ‘Bio-based plastics made from renewable resources can be used in a variety of applications, and complement the currently used fossil-based products. Bio-based plastics can offer similar, additional or even better functionality depending on composition. While it agrees that there are certain uses that could be ideally suited to degradable plastics, Plastics SA warns that introducing bio-plastics to the country’s burgeoning and well-developed recycling industry would contaminate the recycling streams with disastrous and costly consequences.

‘Plastics don’t litter. People do. Biodegradable plastic should not be seen a quick-fix solution to our country’s litter problem. Instead, we are calling for more money and resources to be spent on educating the public about recycling and putting proper recycling infrastructures in place to support the plastics-recycling industry. In 2013, 264 758 tonnes of plastic was collected and recycled, providing much-needed jobs,’ Hanekom says. Of real concern to the plastics industry and its recycling sector is the impact degradable materials will have once this plastic is recycled and used in second and successive applications. ‘As an industry, our concern is what will happen when the polymer molecules used in degradable, biodegradable and oxo-biodegradable plastics break down during the expected service life? Recycled plastic waste is used to make many new long-term plastic products such as refuse bags, agricultural and building products, geotextiles, strapping, plastic timber, etc. Introducing biodegradable plastics that are

meant to decompose after a certain amount of time would have disastrous consequences if introduced into the recycling stream,’ Hanekom explains. A second major concern about degradable, biodegradable, and oxo-biodegradable packaging is that the product is composed of nonrenewable fossil-fuel-based inputs and there is little difference with regards to energy and resource usage when compared to conventional disposal packaging. If biodegradable and oxo-biodegradable packaging are meant to break down in a landfill environment, the product will not be recovered through waste management and recycling initiatives, resulting in loss of resources (calorific value of plastics) in the same way resources are lost if they are not recycled. Today, recycled plastics are in huge demand in South Africa and recyclers cannot produce enough material to meet the demand. Recycled plastic is finally enjoying the recognition it deserves and is seen as a top-quality material that is a consistent and reliable raw material source.’

22 – RéSource August 2014

• Environmentally-friendly collector of used oil and oil filters • Supplier of receptacles Nic Daniels Business Representative 084 430 8771 Lerika McKenna Stock Controller 011 976 2198/7/6 Element Road, Chloorkop, Gauteng E-mail: oilx@ffs.co.za

Recycling

Connecting those collecting Sharing information about waste management and recycling initiatives in Limpopo is going a long way in providing insight and help in the plastics recycling sector, writes Lisa Parkes.

ETCO hosted a workshop in Polokwane on 3 July 2014. The well-attended workshop was aimed at sharing information about waste management and recycling initiatives in Limpopo. Almost 100 stakeholders representing environmental groups, corporates, industry, cooperatives, collectors, waste management companies, NGOs and both local and provincial government representatives were in attendance. Presentations were given by a range of speakers including Idah Ngobeni of the Limpopo Economic Development and Tourism Department (LEDET) and Mautla Motlanalo of the Polokwane municipality, who shared perspectives on waste management and recycling in Limpopo and Polokwane respectively. Mashudu Mulaudzi, chairman of the Limpopo Waste and Recycling Forum, spoke of the forum’s activities and challenges being faced, while Nora Tager of the PEACE Foundation and Thinana Recycling and Waste Management Primary Cooperative representatives gave an overview of the Senwarbarwana Recycling Project in Polokwane. Fanus Beytell of Antiwaste shared insights on PET collection realities in the province and Jacques Lightfoot of PlasticsSA gave an overview of PlasticsSA’s ‘Zero plastic waste to landfill by 2030’ vision. Concluding the presentations was Belinda Booker of PETCO, who gave a snapshot of PETCO’s activities and sponsored projects in the region. As a follow up to the workshop and part of supporting existing and new collectors in the region, PETCO facilitated a collectors’ training workshop in the afternoon. The aim of the training was to give collectors the information they need to sustain their livelihoods, and withstand the current challenges on the ground. Collectors were reminded of the importance of maintaining quality in their PET collections and adding value, by sorting

PET according to colours (clear blue, green, and brown), potentially increasing the price attained from buyers. The importance of collecting higher volumes of PET was also emphasised together with opportunities for collaborating with fellow collectors, clubbing together and attaining such quantities per month to supply recyclers directly. A total of 60 collectors attended the workshop together with representatives from other material industry bodies. Innocent Godo of the Glass Recycling Company reminded collectors of the importance of volumes while Jacques Lightfoot of PlasticsSA showed the collectors different ways to identify plastics and their importance for recycling. Ursula Henneberry of the Paper Recycling Association of South Africa assisted collectors with sorting the different grades of paper and Tetrapak, and Tinus van Niekerk of Seshego Recycling engaged his fellow collectors about the pricing of cans and volumes required.

The workshop ended with words from LEDET’s Idah Ngobeni who commended the collectors for their efforts in collecting recyclable materials in Limpopo. ‘You are the people helping us save landfill space, but most importantly you help keep our towns clean for tourism purposes. I know that sometimes it seems as if we have forgotten about you but that is not the case, we are working towards finding ways to leverage your efforts and give you the necessary tools,' Ngobeni concluded.

ABOVE RIGHT Workshop facilitators RIGHT Antiwaste site visit

RéSource August 2014 – 23

September

is clean-up sa month

20 14

Recycling

Zero plastics to landfill by 2030 T

he plastics industry aims to drive maximum value of plastics and enhance the reputation of the plastics industry in the eyes of key stakeholders. The South African plastics industry has set itself the ambitious target of eliminating all plastic from the country’s landfill sites by the year 2030. According to Plastics SA, the umbrella body representing the entire local plastics industry, a new sustainability objective has been set under the title, ‘Zero plastics to landfill by 2030’, which will greatly influence the plastic industry’s strategic direction over the next 16 years. ‘Increasingly, scarce natural resources and expensive landfill space have pushed recycling to the top of the agenda for all packaging streams. The plastics industry is leading

the charge by setting higher-than-expected recycling targets and getting industry role players and government to agree on a combined plan of action,’ says Anton Hanekom, executive director of Plastics SA. Plastics SA’s Sustainability Council, which comprises various polymer associations such as PETCO, POLYCO, PSPC, SAVA and the South African Plastics Recycling Organisation, as well as major retailers and industry leaders, attended a strategic workshop earlier this year, aimed at developing a united vision and road map for the future of plastic waste in South Africa. At this meeting, the Sustainability Council members voluntarily agreed and committed their organisations to working towards a vision of ‘Zero plastics to landfill by 2030.'

While the plastics industry aims to use this target to drive the maximum value of plastics, it also hopes to enhance its reputation in the eyes of key stakeholders. ‘One of our main objectives is to enhance plastics recycling in South Africa on all levels, through an active and ongoing engagement with key stakeholders such as national, provincial and local governmental departments with regards to waste management legislation, regulations and the recent development of a paper and packaging industry waste management plan,’ Hanekom says. ‘Access to the solid waste stream is essential if we are to succeed in meeting our target, and therefore we are calling for a separation at source in order to increase the recycling rate of plastics.’ RéSource August 2014 – 25

E 6 L

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Recycling

Turning rubbish collectors into micro-entrepreneurs South Africa’s only black-owned plastic manufacturing and recycling business is leading the charge in social and eco enterprise, reports Maryke Foulds.

n South Africa, 98 million tonnes of waste is still sent to landfill each year. Recycling initiatives remain limited and progress is slow. If increased, recycling enterprise could create many jobs for the 25% of the population that remains unemployed. KZN businesswoman and founder of Supa Mama Thina Maziya is tackling both of these problems, one refuse bag at a time. Here’s how:

Supa Mama works with approximately 100 KwaZulu-Natal-based, previously unemployed, women who, after being trained in the types of plastic to collect, gather over 5 tonnes of plastic waste a week from the streets of KZN. The waste is recycled and turned into refuse bags that are sold in supermarkets around the province. Maziya’s innovative business model turns rubbish collectors into micro entrepreneurs and real ‘Supa Mamas’, providing women with a weekly wage to help them feed their families. Maziya’s infrastructure

cuts out the middleman and gives her the opportunity to deal directly with the Mamas and therefore pay them the best price for their recycling efforts. ‘We realised that the Mamas were walking far to collect their plastic, and could not carry the waste collected over long distances, so we set up collection points around the province to assist them in increasing their volume. We’ve also set up a safe SMS weekly payment system via Absa CashSend so our Mamas don’t have to carry cash,’ says Maziya. Supa Mama bags are competitively priced, which gives the consumer at the store the opportunity to choose between a regular refuse bag and one that will make a difference in people’s lives. ‘This is not a quick eco-conscious promotion. Eco-consciousness and social enterprise are embedded in the DNA of our business. The more bags we sell, the more Mamas we can employ and the more waste we can save from landfill,’ explains Maziya. ‘Our goal is for Supa Mama to empower over 500 women,’ concludes Maziya.

LEFT Supa Mamas at work BELOW Type of plastics the Supa Mamas collect

26 – RéSource August 2014

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Recycling

Sustainable packaging

VERMEER HELPS SHRINK YOUR WOOD WASTE AND COMPOSTING CHALLENGES.

he Glass Recycling Company continues to highlight the importance of recycling in reducing its impact on our landfills and our natural environment. Glass is endlessly recyclable and the recycling rate for glass has now reached 40.6%. This is the win-win message from Shabeer Jhetam, CEO of the Glass Recycling Company. As a voluntary industry initiative, supported by 22 shareholders, which include the two biggest container glass manufacturers and the majority of brand owners who package their products in glass, the Glass Recycling Company is funded exclusively by the levies paid by brand owners on every tonne of glass purchased from glass manufacturers. The South African glass manufacturers in turn purchase all glass recovered in South Africa, which is recycled into new glass packaging. According to chairman Brian Rodger, the company is continually establishing new glass recycling entrepreneurs in both urban and rural areas throughout the country. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;We offer glass collection infrastructure to new entrepreneurs. Once established, these drop-off facilities give glass collectors a place to sell their glass. During the past year, 257 new glass recycling projects were supported. It is encouraging that more entrepreneurs have entered the glass recycling industry. In addition, 224 projects were undertaken with existing glass recycling entrepreneurs. In total, 481 entrepreneurial projects were supported during the year.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Reducing the need for further manufacturing is a logical method of reducing a countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s carbon footprint. South Africa has one of the most sophisticated returnable systems in the world and, through these systems, approximately 220 000 tonnes of CO2 emissions has been prevented.

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Vermeer, the Vermeer logo and Equipped to Do More. are trademarks of Vermeer Manufacturing Company in the U.S. and/or other countries. ÂŠ 2014 Vermeer Corporation and Equipment Suppliers (Pty) Ltd. Southern Africa. All Rights Reserved.

BEYOND RECYCLING

BlackAfrica Group _ 2541

Let’s not waste our earth’s scarce resources. When you recycle with Mpact Recycling, your waste paper is used to make paper and other products, saving many of these resources and contributing to a sustainable future not only for you but for the next generation. Not only is Mpact Recycling the largest collector of paper for recycling in South Africa, Mpact is the largest producer of paper made from recycled materials in the country. Mpact is involved in the entire process from collecting discarded paper all the way through to making the paper from it and converting it into boxes. What’s more, by recycling, you are helping to employ over 30,000 people involved in the industry. Having empowered over 170 small businesses to facilitate their own recycling collections, Mpact is also actively leading change in the industry through smarter, sustainable thinking.

Recycling

Recycling master debut D

onadio Plant Hire has made a serious entry into the recycling market following its purchase of a Rubble Master RM70 GO! director Franco Donadio has identified what he believes is a largely untapped potential for recycling within the local demolition and construction industries. Aware of Pilot Crushtec International’s leadership in providing effective recycling solutions, Donadio flew to Johannesburg to seek the Jet Park-based company’s advice. According to national sales manager Nicolan Govender, the Rubble Master was the obvious choice for a start-up recycling operation as it offers a high level of productivity combined with ease of operation. ‘The versatility of the RM70 GO! means that it is able to process all the major waste categories, including building rubble, concrete, asphalt, materials and glass, which means it holds great potential in the plant

hire industry. A user-friendly feature is the Rubble Master’s powerful magnetic separator, which removes potentially harmful metal objects from the base material,’ he says. A significant benefit is its ease of mobility. A single operator can load the remotecontrolled tracked crusher onto a low-bed trailer and prepare it for operation within 10 minutes of arrival on-site.’ He adds that in the case of the Rubble Master, ‘site’ can literally mean anywhere. Produced in Linz, Austria, these machines have the proven ability to meet the toughest African conditions – thanks to their full compliance with European regulations concerning emissions, noise and dust suppression – but can be safely operated in city centres and suburban areas. Operational

efficiency can deliver a throughput of up to 120 tonnes per hour. Fuel consumption is equally impressive at a minimal 15ℓ/h and the two factors combined reward the user with a rapid return on his investment.

Pilot Crushtec International’s Rubble Master RéSource August 2014 – 29

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Waste to energy

Waste streams power energy Finding new and innovative ways to manage waste and reduce energy costs is imperative to any business in South Africa. Maryke Foulds looks at what one local company is doing to offset what goes into our landfills.

hrough the efforts and expertise of South African waste management company EnviroServ, and the development of an anaerobic digestion (AD) system, a range of solutions has been found for biodegradable material that not only prevents this waste from going to landfill, but also produces a green energy source – biogas, which can be used as a vehicle fuel, fossil fuel replacement in boilers, and also converted into electricity. AD is a natural process whereby organic materials are broken down into methane, carbon dioxide and a biofertiliser called digestate. During this process, which takes place in a sealed vessel known as an anaerobic digester, microorganisms break down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen, producing biogas and digestate, which have a variety of uses. ‘Internationally, this technology is well understood and routinely implemented,’

says Des Gordon, group CEO of EnviroServ. ‘Following intensive research, we sought out an experienced international partner to develop a uniquely South African solution.’ ‘With more than 30 years’ experience in the field, Waste Works has helped us to develop a range of robust and reliable solutions for the varied streams of organic wastes in Africa. This experienced international project management know-how has been applied by a local implementation team, giving EnviroServ the opportunity to develop individual waste solutions that are consistent and reliable. This is achieved through detailed knowledge of the type and quantity of a client’s waste stream.’ The demonstration facility, designed and built at the EnviroServ facility located in Bellville, Cape Town, is fully operational and has the capacity to test a wide variety of waste streams, in order to design a product that is tailored to client needs and specific to the type and quantity of source material. As it is located in the middle of a city, the highest safety standards have been subscribed to, and all of the required municipal regulations have been met and registrations obtained. ‘It is important to emphasise that AD plants are highly sensitive to the types of waste material that they process, and each waste stream has to be carefully analysed and tested before a fit-for-purpose

digester can be designed,’ explains Gordon. ‘These designs are based on an intimate understanding of the client’s unique waste characteristics, utilising a stepped testing process, using micro-digesters and our demonstration facility. He adds that one cannot run the risk of cutting corners by applying a one-size-fits-all approach and then tweaking it for different waste streams. Each digester must be individually designed to accommodate a specific type and quantity of waste material, as well as the purpose of the end product. ‘These digesters have the potential to significantly reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill sites across the country and help consumers, farmers and municipalities to regain control of their waste management programmes. We offer win-win solutions, in that the AD process reduces the impact of waste on our environment, it lessens our reliance on non-renewable fossil fuels as a source of energy and it produces an organic fertiliser that will maintain the growing potential of our soils,’ Gordon concludes. Renewable, sustainable energy generation is expected to be the fastest-growing energy sector over the next two decades. Price volatility, supply concerns and the environmental aspects of fossil fuels are expected to accelerate the pace of all non-fossil fuel development and renewable domestic energy supplies are seen as a means of overcoming these problems. Biogas, a clean fuel derived pririals, is marily from waste materials, ative to conan important alternative ventional fossil energy.

FAR LEFT AD is a natural process which breaks down organic materials LEFT Plants are highly sensitive too the types of material processed

30 – RéSource August 2014

App watch

SA’s first locator app T

he local plastic recycling rate of 19.6% is set to increase with the help of SA’s first recycling centre locator app for smartphones. According to Rory Murray, marketing director of Tuffy Brands, many South Africans don’t take the time to recycle mainly because they just don’t know where to take their rubbish. ‘This is especially true for those people who live in areas where door-to-door collections are non-existent.’ With the help of the new app, people will be able to easily locate the recycling centre closest to them out of the 215 centres listed. ‘We are hoping that by having this app freely available at the push of a button, more South Africans will begin to contribute to recycling, which is important because it is better for the environment, our economy and job creation,’ says Murray. Murray says that consumers can play a huge role in helping to reach this target. He explains: ‘The more people recycle, the more consistent the supply of materials will be, which allows companies like Tuffy to produce products from 100% recycled material, providing major benefits to the industry with more product to recycle. Most importantly, environmentally, recycling is the right thing to do and simple to execute when people are given the right tools. ‘There is a huge demand for good quality waste, which currently exceeds supply, and why we believe that providing tools that assist consumers will go a long way in elevating the recycling rate and ensuring we continue to see growth of the 20.7% of plastic waste diverted from landfill sites.’ crea jobs. ‘The plastics industry has It also helps create o approximately R50 billion and a combined turnover of f employss over 60 000 formal and informal workers,’ he adds. fea Murray says that the main feature of the app is the GPS loc recycling centre locator, which is integrated with Google Maps to navigate consumers to a recycling site. Each Ea location entry provides the user with an accompanying list of what is recycled there t as well as contact details. ‘You can search s by region, and in the near future we will include integration to social channels chann so people can share their recycling activities with their friends.’ The Tuffy Recycling app is free and available on the iTunes and Google Play stores.

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Screensho of the Tuffy Recycling Screenshot Centre Locator mobile application

RéSource August 2014 – 31

Follow us on Twitter @Barloworldequip © 2014 Caterpillar. All Rights Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, BUILT FOR IT ™, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Yellow,” the “Power Edge”trade dress as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.

Energy efficiency

Capturing heat Compared to most developed countries, South Africa has an inefficient hot water systems. By Deepak John

xcess heat from our power stations is completely lost into the surrounding atmosphere. Given the water infrastructure in our country, South African domestic and commercial users have been forced to use electric elements or gas to heat water – a costly and inefficient exercise and at the complete mercy of utility prices. By optimising hot water systems, we can drastically reduce the energy demand in the country. This requires a change in perspective and taking a look at the entire hot water system. Typically a commercial hot water system would be centralised. Large boilers with electric elements or gas heat the water and a ring main circulate this hot water to all required areas. This has worked well and makes financial sense at pre-2006 Eskom tariffs. A combination of increasing utility tariffs, advancement in technology and a reduction in cost of key components makes alternative water-heating sources financially viable. Heat pumps and solar thermal are the common alternative solutions in use today.

Energy usage can be reduced directly by implementing a heat pump and/or solar thermal solution, but this will not guarantee the system works appropriately under all conditions. To implement a robust system, one that works even under extreme conditions, you need to consider all the components and how they integrate with each other in order to meet a site’s hot water needs. By only looking at one component, the heating element for instance, systems can run into problems in extreme conditions and inadequate heat pump sizing is a common issue. Heat pumps are an efficient technology that uses one unit of electricity to produce three units of thermal heating. This is done by absorbing heat from the air surrounding the heat pump and transferring this to the water. Ground-source heat pumps, which extract heat from the ground, are also available. The heat pump performance is referred to as the coefficient of performance (COP). A COP of 3 means 1 kW of electricity is converted into 3 kW of thermal heating, but a problem occurs in cold conditions when the

COP of heat pumps drops as low as 1 to 1.5. The heating capacity of the system becomes much smaller and will therefore take longer to heat the same volume of water. Generally, cold conditions are when most heating is required and heat pump under performance can have a significant impact on operations in these circumstances. Another common problem is that many hospitality or commercial sites expand their operation over time, yet maintain the same hot water infrastructure. A hot water system designed optimally when the site was built can quickly become inefficient if usage gradually increases over time. If a heat pump or solar thermal solution is sized based on the installed hot water system, the installed alternative energy sources would be at risk of being considerably under sized for the site’s requirements. This is an important reason to clearly understand a site’s hot water requirements and ensure the hot water system or upgrades adequately cater for them. The main components in a hot water system for large or small systems are similar:

TABLE 1 Various water-heating systems Storage

Heat pumps

Solar collectors

Piping

Reasons relevant • Heat loss on stored water • All water for site is supplied from here

• Efficient water-heating technology • Good financial return due to cost and quality improvement • Eskom rebate further improved ROI • Simple to install and retrofit existing systems

• Heat loss on stored water • Transfer of water to all required areas

Circulation pumps • Circulates water to through ring main to required areas

32 – RéSource August 2014

Important considerations • Sufficient storage to easily meet peak periods • Thermal retention to limit heat loss • Modular to easily increase storage as required • Should accommodate water quality and pressure • Correctly sized to meet requirements under cold conditions • In area (preferably outside) with good air ventilation • Air quality important as particles can get stuck on ‘fins’ of unit • Refrigerant should be the latest available and able to work in many conditions • Get appropriate technology, usually vacuum tube or flat plate • Correctly sized for site requirements even under low solar radiation • Extra thick to withstand hail and extreme weather • Operating temperature considerations • Installed to maximise solar radiation and minimise shading • Correctly sized to meet requirements even under high demand • Good thermal retention to limit heat loss • Must be robust and not react with water • Must have a good life span • Affordable, accessible and easy to work with • Sizing appropriate for pressure required and pipe sizing, ring main length, site usage, etc. • Controller to ensure it only runs when required • Can operate under wide temperature range, both ambient and water • Backup pump to ensure robust system • Good quality to handle ‘hard’ water • Easy to service and maintain

Energy efficiency

Improving hot energy costs depends on the site, water requirements and operating conditions single or multiple storage tanks hold the water, a heating source warms the water to the required temperature, and circulation pumps and piping provide water at required areas. The first step is to understand the importance of each component and how it can affect the thermal heat losses as well as impacts on operations. Second, the system needs to be designed to meet the siteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hot water requirements under all feasible conditions. Once the technical aspects of the entire system are assessed, the upgrades that provide the best benefits can be identified. The benefits will differ by site and may be operational, strategic, financial or even regulatory. An ideal hot water system should consist of correctly sized solar thermal heating, heat pumps, good storage and backup elements. Such a system can be optimised if the solar provides the bulk of energy on average and heat pumps efficiently heat water at night, or during cloudy days and winter. Backup electric elements should be used to provide additional heating capability in cold conditions, and storage and piping with good thermal retention will minimise heat loss. Such a system is robust and will operate effectively under a wide variety of conditions. How the entire system is designed is also important. There are various possibilities that mainly revolve around connecting the heat sources in series or parallel. When run parallel, the solar and heat pump are used as an independent heating source. A connection in series, however, would be when the solar provides energy to the evaporator of the heat pump (and thermal store if possible). Different configurations make sense depending on the site requirement. Solar collectors can provide most of the thermal energy during the day and by using a larger storage tank, you can produce more hot water from the solar panels, meaning your heat pump needs to run less. There are many ways to improve hot water energy costs and the right solution depends on the specific site, water requirements and operating conditions. The use of quality, relevant components will enhance the overall system. The good news about South Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hot water system is that we have so much opportunity to save energy using well-tested and affordable technologies and green technologies can be incorporated to improve financials and hot water availability at most sites.

RĂŠSource August 2014 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 33

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Energy efficiency

The full value of the 12L tax allowance Section 12L of the Income Tax Act, 1962 (Act No. 58 of 1962), allows for a deduction in respect of energy efficiency savings. By Karel Steyn, president of the Southern African Association for Energy Efficiency

his legislation allows for tax deductions calculated at 45 cents per kilowatt hour or kilowatt hour equivalent of energy efficiency savings. The lifespan of the energy efficiency measure implemented, and the total costs with subsequent benefits, need to be considered to get to a realistic understanding of what the real value of this incentive is.

The basic 12L provision [The following section has been taken (with minor changes), from an article written by Gustav Radloff]. The absolute value is dependent on the quantum of energy saved. The tax payer can claim a deduction of 45c for each kWh of energy saved. No concurrent benefits are allowed and the 12L regulations provide for exclusions: a person may not receive the allowance for renewable energy or cogeneration, except for energy generated from waste-heat recovery, or when a captive power plant has an output of less than 35% of its total kWh input. The tax rate for most companies in South Africa is currently pegged at 28%. Here is an example of implications of the new regulations, using the 45c/kWh allowance: • Assuming an equivalent diesel fuel saving of 1 000 000 kWh per year and the average cost per kWh is R1.21/kWh to the end-use customer, the value of the saving would be 1 000 000 x R1.21 = R1 210 000 per year. • All else being equal, this saving will positively impact on the bottom line of the

business and will increase profit for the year by R1 210 000. One needs to consider that a company may need to pay off the loan, including interest on the capital investment, as well as the costs associated with M&V, using these savings. Therefore, the direct savings may not necessarily be accrued as pure profit. It also takes time to realise the full benefit of the capital investment, which would be for the lifespan of the energy efficient technology implemented (e.g. 20 years). The benefit will also need to be offset against the rising cost of energy and a potential future carbon tax. However, the assumption for the purposes of this example is that no repayments on capital and interest are required and the rising cost of energy is ignored. To take the previous example a step further: • the business will pay 28% tax on the additional profit: 0.28 x R1 210 000 = R338 800 • by applying 12L, the business or tax-paying entity may get a deduction of 45c/kWh. • R0.45 x 1 000 000 kWh = R450 000 • taxable income is then reduced as follows: R1 210 000 – R450 000 = R760 000 • payable tax is only 0.28 x R760 000 = R212 800 • the difference between R338 800 and R212 800 consequently yields a net benefit of R126 000 (or 12.6c/kWh), after tax. Therefore, a simplified way of looking at 12L is that it provides for an additional beforetax benefit of 17.5c/kWh and an after-tax

benefit of 12.6c/kWh for each kWh saved over the project’s lifetime, against which the total project cost (M&V included) needs to be deducted. Below are benefits that should be considered part of a 12L project evaluation. It should be understood that these benefits have been available to companies, even before section 12L was promulgated, and may technically not be defined as additional benefits.

Deduction of capital expense from taxable income A person may reduce their taxable income through their normal tax return process, by deducting the capital expense of the equipment required to achieve energy efficiency savings. If the funds are borrowed, the interest paid would also be tax deductible.

Recovery of services/consulting costs The normal tax return process allows for the expenses for services or consulting provided to be deducted from taxable income, under Section 11(a) of the Income Tax Act. These may include the fees charged by the M&V body, any consulting fees related to the energy efficiency equipment and installation or commissioning thereof, which would include fees charged by an energy services company.

Additional profits to the company The facility or process in which the energy efficiency measure is installed will become more efficient and, in the process, increase

RéSource August 2014 – 35

Energy efficiency its profits. These profits would be taxable income, taxed at 28%. However, the balance not taken as tax will still be for the benefit of the company. It may however be necessary to offset these profits against repaying capital and interest.

Increasing cost of energy The cost of an energy source such as diesel fuel is largely unpredictable. Energy savings will bring about substantially higher overall savings year-on-year, going forward.

Climate change benefit Energy efficiency projects offer the most potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. National Treasury and the DOE confirmed that the emissions saved through energy efficiency measures would be owned by the company involved. The company would therefore be allowed to sell these carbon credits into an overseas carbon market, without it being viewed as a concurrent benefit. The market value of carbon emission reductions and verified emissions

reductions have drastically reduced over the past few years and, under the current EU ETS, only credits from least-developed countries are considered post-2012, which may exclude South Africa. However, notwithstanding the current price and status of these credits, the value may be substantially higher, depending on the company involved, the need for sustainable reporting, reputational and other purposes. It should be noted that not saving energy will ultimately have a negative impact on companies when the proposed Carbon Tax, planned for 2016, is implemented.

Less quantifiable benefits: Energy efficiency implementation also brings about less quantifiable benefits. • A competitive advantage – a company may use the emissions offset or its higher efficiency levels to market itself to a distinct group requiring compliance to ‘green’ standards or energy-use limits. • Niche market operation – it may be easier to operate in niche markets that focus on

the environmental impacts of companies they deal with. Niche markets usually provide opportunities for larger returns, due to a lower sensitivity to pricing levels. • ISO certification – acquiring ISO 50001 (Energy Management) certification should be easier for companies participating in this field. Certification may open additional, highly profitable, export markets.

What does this all mean in practice? It would be best to consider all the benefits when evaluating the possible use of the 12L tax incentive. As a practical example, consider the following elaboration of our earlier example as a summary of this article: • each kWh saved: 1 000 000 kWh @ 12.6 c/kWh = R126 000 • after-tax profit balance due to the energy efficiency project: R871 200 • potential climate change benefit: R72 000 • total value: R126 000 + R871 200 + R72 000 = R1 069 200 • consider, against the R1 069 200, the benefits not quantified above, and

36 – RéSource August 2014

Environmental Equipment

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Energy efficiency subtract all the related expenses from the total.

Comparison to the Eskom SOP Although the Eskom IDM Standard Offer Programme (SOP) has been put on hold, direct comparisons to this programme are often made, with the perception that the Eskom SOP is more beneficial. This therefore needs to be put into perspective as well. Depending on the technology involved, the Eskom payments varied between 42c/ kWh, 55c/kWh or R 1.20/kWh, with the 42c/kWh being the usual incentive for most ordinary energy efficient technologies. It should be considered that, depending on the nature of the Eskom incentive, a 28% tax would also apply, together with all costs that can be deducted from taxable income. However, if the income of the incentive is of a capital nature, the income may be tax exempt. The nature of the income would need to be assessed on a case-by-case basis. If this consideration is included, and it is

found that the Eskom incentive is liable for paying tax, then the Section 12L incentive may have the same or an even higher value than Eskom’s SOP. This is due to Section 12L offering 45c/kWh against Eskom’s 42c/kWh (technology dependent). The Eskom SOP also suffers from these potential impediments: • technologies used on the SOP model are limited and have to be approved by Eskom • it only incentivises electricity savings, whereas Section 12L is applicable to all energy carriers • the SOP only rewards electricity saved between 06:00 and 22:00 on a weekday, whereas Section 12L rewards all energy savings.

Conclusion Care should be taken not to evaluate the 45c/kWh allowance in isolation, without considering the overall tax implications. Neither should it be evaluated against the cost to be incurred, without due consideration of the multiple benefits related to implementing energy efficiency projects. RéSource August 2014 – 37

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Renewables

BRIC approach tackles energy costs South Africa’s energy-intensive industries should look towards some of its fellow BRICS nations, including Brazil, China and India, as examples of leaders in decentralised renewable energy solutions like solar photovoltaic energy, writes Arthur Chien of Talesun Energy.

n doing so, they will not only be able to decrease crippling electricity costs and assist in easing the pressure the country’s energy supply is currently under, but also benefit the South African economy in becoming fit enough to be at a level playing field, especially with Brazil, China and India. South Africa’s energy sector is critical to the economy, as many key industries, including the mining and manufacturing sectors, are energy intensive and thus reliant on the country’s energy supply. In order to support this intensive load, coal-dependent South Africa needs to increase its focus on renewable energy solutions, which will diversify its power-generating capacity. Considering the alternative energy plans, South Africa is in the process of pursuing the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme and the Carbon Disclosure Project, and that the country was named the fastest-growing renewable energy market among the G20 major economies, it is clear that South Africa has the potential to become a leader in renewable energy among its BRICS counterparts. Brazil, China and India have, however, taken extraordinary strides to create and use clean sources of energy like hydropower, solar energy and wind power. Studies by Fast Market Research reveal that Brazil’s renewable energy sector created revenues of $92.1 billion in 2012 and that the country depends largely on hydropower for its electricity. As an example, the Itaipu Dam on the Paraná River, located on the border between Brazil and Paraguay, is the world’s largest operating hydroelectric facility in terms of annual energy generation. Wind, solar and biomass production are also on the increase within the country.

India, on the other hand, is aiming to install 20 GW of solar power by 2020 and is well on its way to achieving this, having evolved from installing only 30 MW of solar capacity in 2010 to an astounding 2 000 MW in 2013. China recently announced that its major push for renewable energy will see the number of wind turbines double in the next six years. From a current installed capacity of 75 GW, the aim is to achieve a staggering 200 GW by 2020. China is also a global leader in solar photovoltaic projects and accounted for approximately one-third of all large-scale solar PV capacity added in 2013. Under the draft of the Chinese Bureau of Energy’s new proposal, new solar installations in China are forecasted to reach 12 GW in 2014. According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), South Africa’s emissions per capita are considered high, South Africa has the compared to China or Brazil. As potential to become a leader in the OECD pointed out, renewables renewable energy among make up just 1% of South Africa’s its BRICS counterparts.” coal-heavy total electricity generaArthur Chien, vice-president of Talesun Energy tion, and grid connection is still nascent and complex. The transition from a carbon-intensive economy to a low-carbon future presents many challenges, one of them being that the majority of energy financing goes to centralised, grid-connected power plants. To achieve its ideal of a greener future, South Africa needs to work on areas such as the ongoing development and implementation of sustainability energy technologies, infrastructure development, and efficient planning and strategies to encourage communities and entrepreneurs to implement their own energy initiatives.

RéSource August 2014 – 39

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An African first MTN has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint by unveiling Africa’s first concentrating solar cooling system that will power its energy-hungry data centres, reports Maryke Foulds.

he launching of the system at MTN head offices in Johannesburg garnered great interest and belief that this is but the first of many to be rolled out across the continent. The system was designed by REACH Renewable and AOS Consulting Engineers and implemented jointly with Industrial Solar, Voltas Technologies and Luft Technik, and supported by the professional team comprising ISF Services, Classen Auret, ProjectWorks, DSM and Pentad. It is driven by cutting-edge technology called linear Fresnel concentrating solar power (CSP) that uses heat generated from the sun and has a peak cooling capacity of 330 kW. The system consists of 242 solar mirrors covering a total area of 484 m2, which track the sun to generate pressurised hot water at 180˚C. The hot water in turn powers an absorption chiller that produces chilled water circulated into the data centre for cooling IT equipment. The mirrors follow the movement of the sun, based on the GPS location, orientation, date and time. This information guides the system to track the sun to concentrate on the central absorber tube where heat is generated. The absorption chillers use a lithium bromide water solution, which uses water as the refrigerant. This is a completely green solution that has zero global warming potential or ozone depletion potential. When it rains, the mirrors move into a self-cleaning position, and on cloudy days, the mirrors turn down into a protective stow position. Zunaid Bulbulia, MTN South Africa CEO, says the CSP system cements MTN’s green credentials. MTN was awarded the first silver-certified building in South Africa,

under the EBOM technical manual by the United States Green Building Council, for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, in recognition of its operational sustainability efforts at MTN’s head office. ‘MTN is acutely aware of the impact of global warming and its adverse impact on emerging markets. We continuously explore ways in which we can not only reduce our carbon footprint, but also our electricity consumption, which would free up additional capacity for the national grid,’ says Bulbulia. Olu Soluade, managing director of AOS Consulting Engineers, could not contain his excitement when he said, ‘The development of sustainable solutions and the implementation of technologies for the benefit of mankind is the prerogative of all of us. The continuous commitment to the reduction of our carbon footprint is the hallmark of sustainable development administered by professionals.’ Frank Major, managing director of REACH Renewable, added, ‘A sustainable way of life is essential. It is our responsibility and commitment to design and develop innovative solutions that foster a sustainable use of our resources.’ Cristian F Cernat, managing director of Voltas Technologies, explained: ‘The opportunity to model and design the installation using a high-temperature heat source, architectonically integrated, creates a real opportunity for local manufacturing and future job creation in the field of renewable energy equipment production in our country.’ Tobias Schwind, managing director of Industrial Solar, added: ‘Other than a solar

cooling system such as this, our state-ofthe-art concentrating solar linear Fresnel technology can be used for various applications in all kinds of industries where process heat and cooling or air-conditioning would be required.’ Summing up the initiative was Gabriele Eichner of the German Energy Agency who said, ‘This project is part of the worldwide ‘dena Solar Roofs Programme’ coordinated by the German Energy Agency, and supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. We are happy that this innovative system generating green energy is now a part of the MTN strategy to reduce its carbon footprint. So this lighthouse project is a win-win-situation for all.’

ABOVE 242 solar mirrors cover an area of 484 m2 RIGHT Cutting edge fresnel CSP technology

RéSource August 2014 – 41

Renewables

Cogeneration – a viable power source for Durban eThekwini Municipality, in partnership with the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI), co-hosted a workshop to discuss potential energy cogeneration in the KZN region.

ogeneration is the combined generation of electricity and heat and has significant potential in industrial cities like Durban where heat is often required for manufacturing processes. The Department of Energy (DOE) has indicated its intention to issue a request for proposals for the acquisition of up to 800 MW from cogeneration and the workshop was intended to prepare businesses and government for this new, renewable energy opportunity. Derik Coetze, programme manager at SANEDI, says, ‘The programme was within the framework of the cooperation between the governments of South Africa and Germany in

the energy sector, the DOE, SANEDI and the South African-German Energy Programme.’ He explains, ‘The programme aims to increase investments in the energy efficiency field, through the development of a market for energy efficiency service providers. A key focus will be the market development for cogeneration, which is the simultaneous generation of electricity and heat, and to introduce these efficient technologies in the commercial and industrial sectors with an overview of international best practices.’ The keynote speaker at the workshop was Dr Ruth Egyptien from STEAG, in Germany. Egyptien holds a PhD in bioprocess engineering, and is employed by STEAG as project manager. Her experience includes international project management for consulting services, project development as well as project execution. Egyptien outlined the cogeneration development process and cautioned project developers to carry out energy audits, to determine if the project will be economically and technically

viable before investing in the designing of a project. She explained that obtaining an agreement from the energy service provider for connection to the electrical grid can be challenging. Egyptien highlighted successful cogeneration projects done worldwide and in Africa, including a very successful project that was done in Uganda in the sugar industry. She directed service providers to the following website for guidance when designing a cogeneration project: www.afrepren.org ‘Cogeneration is a commercial project that is economically and financially viable; Africa has great potential for cogeneration in most industries,” says Egyptien. Abrie Cronje, engineer at eThekwini Electricity says, “eThekwini Municipality is the first municipality in South Africa to accept applications for grid-tied energy generation. Developers are required to complete an application form and sign a purchase power agreement (PPA) with the municipality.” eThekwini is authorised to purchase electricity from embedded generators at the Megaflex rate – the rate at which municipalities are charged to purchase electricity in bulk from Eskom. eThekwini currently has five PPAs in place. Partnerships in energy efficiency are gaining momentum in South Africa

42 – RéSource August 2014

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Technical paper

Construction of coal ash landfills At the Landfill 2013 conference, Lloyd Wallace of Jeffares & Green looks at the challenges confronting coal ash landfills.

oal-fired power stations are South Africa’s primary source of power generation, which results in the generation of significant quantities of coal combustion products (CCP). In South Africa, a large portion of these by-products are disposed of at landfill facilities. The design challenges encountered when disposing CCPs compared to municipal solid waste (MSW) differ considerably and thus the management of CCPs needs to be based on sound, accepted engineering practices utilising all available knowledge and technologies.

Introduction Eskom generates approximately 95% of South Africa’s electricity and approximately 45% of the electricity used in the rest of the African continent. Eskom relies on coalfired power stations to produce approximately 90% of its electricity, burning over 90 million tonnes of coal per annum. The constant generation of significant quantities of coal ash waste, also referred to as CCPs, which need to be disposed of or recycled using acceptable (sustainable) integrated waste management (IWM) practices that minimise the threat to the surrounding environment. The characteristics and physical properties of CCPs vary in size, shape and chemical composition based on the chemical nature of the raw material (coal) from which the CCP is derived and by which the coal is processed and the subsequent CCPs collected. These varying characteristics and properties determine the possible beneficial reuses of the CCP. Examples of beneficial uses are using CCPs as a replacement for natural building materials (such as sand, gravel or gypsum) or as a cement

substitute in concrete mix designs. Despite strong efforts in South Africa (such as in the example above) towards sound waste minimisation practices with regards to the disposal of CCPs, a large percentage of CCPs are disposed at dedicated landfill facilities designed for the disposal of coal ash wastes. Engineering design around the landfilling of municipal solid waste (MSW) in South Africa is well defined from both a legislative and engineering point of view, however, standardisation regarding the engineering design of dedicated coal ash landfills has not yet been as well established. The Waste Classification and Management

Regulations (WCMR) GN R. 634 – 636 (DEA, 2013) are the guiding documents for the assessment of and the disposal of waste in South Africa. The WCMR (DEA, FIGURE 1 Heat of hydration of fly ash (Hasset & Eylands, 1997)

TABLE 1 Landfill temperatures t recorded d d att various i facilities f iliti (adapted ( d t d from f Rowe R & Islam, 2009) Location Bavaria, Germany Alaska, USA New Mexico, USA British Columbia, Canada Croydon, UK Tokyo, Japan Stage 3, Maple, ON, Canada Stage 4, Maple, ON, Canada Ingolstadt, Germany (ashfill)

Waste thickness (m) 20 51 19 19

Leachate level (m) <0.1 -

23 35 35 65 65 9 9 9

17 18 11 <0.3 <0.3 <0.3 <0.3 <0.3 <0.3 <0.3

Time (years) 6-10 10 5 4

Waste temperature (˚C) 44-64 33 32 43

Liner temperature (˚C) 35-53 13 30 15

6 7 30 0-6 16 1 1-15 0.25 1.5 3

66 87 64 43

32-40 45 30 10 37 7 7-35 23 46 40

RéSource August 2014 – 43

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Technical paper TABLE 2 Slope stability assumptions Component Waste Pile

Underlying in-situ

Parameter Unit weight Friction angle ( ') Cohesion (c)2 Moisture content3 Side slope Unit weight Friction angle ( ') Cohesion (c)2 Moisture content

Quantity 10.2 34˚ 0 10 1V:3.5H 18 28˚ 0 10

Unit KN/m3 kPa % KN/m3 kPa %

2013) do not specifically mention design or handling considerations around coal ash waste and landfills. When comparing CCPs with MSW, primary differences in the waste materials indicate that engineers and regulators may need to adopt a different approach to the design and ongoing operation controls for landfills licensed to receive CCPs. In order to define effective engineering practices in relation to the “threat” of CCPs to the environment, the CCPs need to be classified with regards to their potential chemical threat and toxicity.

Material differences between municipal solid waste and coal combustion products Significant material differences were identified when comparing CCPs and MSW. These differences pose significant design challenges that should be taken into account by engineers and regulators alike. Some key differences are listed in the sections below.

FIGURE 2 H:H landfill basal lining system (Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, 1998b)

Particle size CCPs are typically characterised by a homogenous material of fine particle size from a uniform or single source, typically ranging between 0.001 mm and 1.25 mm with fly ash comprising the smaller fraction RéSource August 2014 – 45

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Technical paper of the grading and bottom ash comprising the larger. MSW is a heterogenous material of inconsistent, larger dimension particle sizes from a mixed source.

Odours and gas production

TABLE 3 Estimated increase in service life of the secondary geomembrane compared to a similar primary geomembrane (Hoor, 2012) Insulation 0.5m tyre chips 0.5m soil 1.5m soil

CCPs comprise a low concentration of organics which leads to very little gas production (specifically low odour production), unless a situation occurs where co-disposal of different types of CCPs or other wastes yields in chemical reactions, including the introduction of water treatment. It is well documented that MSWs produce significant quantities of methane and odours that need to be designed for and managed effectively (depending on the organic loading of MSW).

Primary Average increase in service-life of Secondary geomembrane geomembrane secondary geomembrane compared to temperature (˚C) temperature (˚C) primary geomembrane (years) 60 59.4 10 60 42.7 210 60 53.7 45 60 46.4 130

as a concern when CCPs are saturated prior to compaction at or near optimum moisture content. Once compacted, the permeability of the CCPs decreases and saturation is less likely to occur. MSW has a high field capacity and can therefore absorb large quantities of water without any immediate loss in shear strength and has not been shown to be susceptible to erosion due to the inconsistent particle size.

Erosion and slope stability CCPs are easily eroded by uncontrolled surface runoff primarily due to the fine particle size. CCPs have been shown to be more compressible than typical compacted sands and exhibit a hydraulic conductivity similar to that of fine sand/silt mixtures. Loss in shear strength has been noted FIGURE 3 LEFT Class C landfill basal lining system (Department of Environmental Affairs, 2012c)

Dust Control CCPs will show a high likelihood for airborne migration due to the fine particle size, depending on moisture content and compaction efforts. The fine particle size and relatively low hydraulic conductivity will also make the CCPs susceptible to rapid surface drying. MSWs do not dry out as quickly but are known to generate windblown litter challenges which need to be designed for and effectively managed.

Heat Generation Heat generated by the hydration of incinerated residues (ash) has been highlighted as a concern and Hasset and Eylands found the rate of the heat of hydration reaction to show a spike at the beginning of the reaction, decreasing to a slow rise as the temperature stabilises. Table 1 presents a comparison of waste temperatures against liner temperatures for various landfill facilities. The entry for Ingolstadt, Germany represents a landfill facility receiving CCPs. It is noted that the liner temperature recorded at the coal ash landfill was not shown to be substantially higher than average liner temperatures experienced in MSW facilities, however, the CCP waste body is shown to reach a temperature of 87˚C which is substantially higher than comparable MSW waste body readings.

Design challenges for landfill coal combustion products Based on the differences in material between CCPs and MSW

RéSource August 2014 – 47

Technical paper is acceptable from a slope stability point of view for a high-level, conceptual stability check. As shown in Table 2: • The influence of a basal lining system on slope stability should be investigated when carrying out a preliminary and detailed engineering design. • No cohesion has been assumed which is in line with analysing long term stability.

Heat generation

FIGURE 4 LEFT High level slope stability model

presented above, it is important that engineers motivate aspects of their design to cater for the differences in material properties. This will ensure that the proposed facility complies with legislative requirements, minimises environmental impacts, optimises the available airspace increasing financial return to the owners of the facility and operates in a manner acceptable to the waste managers and the responsible authority. It is important to note that each facility should be considered independently due to the variance in observed CCP characteristics and physical properties. The following design challenges are to be considered: • Particle size: Special consideration must be given to leachate drainage materials to prevent clogging and the building up of leachate within CCP landfills. Geosynthetics manufacturers can produce drainage geotextiles that cater specifically to the fine particle size and ensure improved drainage for the service life of the landfill facilities. • Odours and gas production: Daily cover operations are only essential for dust control, unless other effective measures are adopted. No odour or animal scavenging issues are expected.

48 – RéSource August 2014

• Erosion and slope stability: Case studies of dedicated coal waste landfills in South Africa have shown no formal compaction occurring in facilities where the CCPs are placed by conveyors or stackers. The literature review indicated that this is not the norm overseas (e.g. the USA). Un-compacted CCPs are highly susceptible to saturation and subsequent loss in shear strength. It is good management practice that the following is undertaken: • keep the landfill face as small as is reasonably possible • allow sufficient drying time for the newly disposed CCPs to reach the optimum • moisture content allowing for maximum compaction of the waste • divert all stormwater runoff away from the disposal facility preventing surface ponding which would saturate the disposed waste reducing shear strength. A preliminary slope stability Model 1 was set-up by Jeffares & Green for a landfill receiving primarily CCPs. The ash pile was assumed to be 25 m high and at a final deposit-density of 950 kg/m3. The design parameters used in the calculation are shown in Table 2. The results from both Bishop and Morgernstern and Price methods were analysed yielding similar results. Three critical slip planes were identified. The lowest factor of safety calculated was 2.73, which

Hoor (2012) noted the importance of considering the effects of elevated temperature on the long-term performance of landfill liners. One possible solution is to have a double-liner system where the secondary geosynthetic membrane is thermally separated from the primary layer using a material with low thermal conductivity. A second option is to reduce the temperature through the use of a cooling system, installed at the same time as the components of the basal liner. The estimated increase in service life of the secondary geomembrane when using a double liner system as presented by Hoor (2012) is shown in Table 3. A rise in liner temperature will cause antioxidant depletion in a geomembrane, potential dehydration in clay liners beneath a geomembrane, and increase diffusion and/or moisture movement through liners.

Dust suppression The highest likelihood for airborne migration of dust particles is during ash placement and periods of high wind speeds. Dust suppression is to be carefully considered and incorporated as a part of CCP landfill design. Water spraying is an effective means of dust suppression, however, it is important to exercise due care to prevent over-watering and saturating the waste pile, reducing shear strength and slope stability.

Waste classification and possible leachate generation Legislative requirements are enforced to ensure reasonable containment and isolation of a disposed waste from the surrounding natural environment. The primary pathways by which contaminants of concern (COC%) can enter the environment are through the atmosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere. Protection of the atmosphere is ensured through dust suppression and ongoing air quality monitoring. COCs entering the environment through the hydrosphere are carried in surface runoff coming into contact

Technical paper It is important to note that each facility should be considered independently due to the variance in observed CCP characteristics and physical properties with the disposed waste and through the leachate generated in a disposal facility. The basal lining systems as prescribed the WCMR (DEA, 2013) are in place to provide an adequate barrier for both the lithosphere and hydrosphere. A comparison of risks for leachate from CCP landfills against leachate from MSW was conducted by the Electric Power Research Institute. The report concluded that the relative health risks associated with leachates from MSW landfills and fly ash management are similar. It was further noted that as a landfill of essentially inorganic constituents, the waste did not need to be managed for the generation of flammable and explosive gases and had no predisposition to spreading disease.

Conclusion Design aspects for the design of landfill facilities licensed to receive CCPs that differ from the typical MSW designs can be summarised as follows: • CCPs are a homogenous material with a fine particle size that require special • Consideration to leachate drainage designs to prevent clogging. Dust suppression is a vital design component in managing CCP landfill facilities and due care is required to avoid over-watering for dust suppression. • CCPs typically comprise a low fraction of organics and produce minimal gas when disposed to a landfill facility. Daily cover is therefore not a requirement to prevent animal scavenging and for the management of odour. • Due to the typically fine particle size, CCPs are susceptible to erosion and undergo rapid loss in shear strength when water is added to un-compacted CCPs. • CCP landfill slopes, when compacted to an optimal compaction ratio, have favourable mechanical properties when compared with conventional sandy soils and appear to have acceptable slope stability at a slope of 1V:3.5H. • Research has shown that dedicated coal waste landfills have the potential to reach higher internal temperatures than MSW landfills due to potential heat generation when ash wastes are hydrated. Careful consideration at design stage and appropriate mitigation measures are required to ensure that the facility operates according to the specified operational and design controls and legislative requirements. This paper was first presented at the conference which was organised by the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa and Gigsa. The theme for the conference was “Effective environmental protection from the residues of modern civilisation”.

RéSource August 2014 – 49

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