President’s comment

LOOTING OUR NATURAL RESOURCES

“We don’t make reality. We evade it. By looting natural capital and hiding the costs. But the bill is coming, and we won’t be able to pay.” – Richard Powers, The Overstory

s I pen this note, in the midst

Aof the devastating third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic and the worst civil unrest democratic South Africa has seen, I cannot help but reflect on our recent past with dismay and genuine wonder as to what the future might hold.

At the moment, with the shocking visuals of widespread destruction, looting, and loss of life and livelihoods being broadcast across the world, it is hard to remain positive about creating a viable and prosperous future for all, never mind getting on top of our waste management problems.

The images of municipal waste collection trucks dumping their loads on our national roads, and the mess left behind by looters and arsonists are hard to erase from one’s mind. The damage to physical property, our status as an investment destination and national psyche is staggering. As events unfold, it is becoming clear that – if we are ever to emerge from this quagmire – the role and level of commitment of civil society are going to be the deciding factors.

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Mirrored by the sector

This is also directly applicable to the waste management sector – while many of our national and local government officials have good intentions and the best interests of society at heart, they just don’t seem to be winning the war.

This is exemplified by the recent victory in the matter of the South African Human Rights Commission vs Msunduzi Municipality, regarding the mismanagement of the New England Landfill in Pietermaritzburg, in which the municipality was found guilty of breaching a number of environmental laws, including section 24 of the Constitution, which upholds everyone’s right to a healthy environment, protected from pollution.

It is a sad day when the resolution of matters on which we have an abundance of expertise – but a lack of political will and leadership – requires civil society to approach the courts for help. This is going to happen more and more, particularly as aggrieved parties become emboldened by such judgments. One may ask where are the established authorities, who are clearly mandated to deal with such matters, including enforcement?

Repaving the road ahead

Speaking of looting, this edition of ReSource, featuring recycling and resource efficiency, is one with a relevant theme in our current waste management predicament. We simply cannot continue on the current path of resource exploitation and waste accumulation indefinitely, living permanently in a state of crisis. However, we cannot think that recycling on its own will solve our problems.

Much more attention needs to be paid to the upstream elements of resource utilisation, starting with the design and manufacture of components and products to enable costeffective and efficient recycling, and the reuse of materials down the line, while still performing the job for which they were intended. This is clearly part of the ongoing circular economy discussion, and will present many interesting and exciting challenges for years to come.

Brendon Jewaskiewitz, President, IWMSA

Registration open

Please don’t forget to take a look at our website and support the IWMSA by registering for ‘Landfill and Waste Treatment 2021’ – our first virtual seminar and exhibition of its kind – to be held from 3 to 5 November. Plans are taking shape and we look forward to seeing you online.

I wish all of you and your loved ones the best of health during these trying times. Please be safe and well.