President’s comment

Learning to DANCE in the RAIN

As we approach the mid-point of 2021, a third Covid-19 wave remains a distinct possibility. We must remain vigilant, while also getting on with things and taking courage from our own resilience. As writer Sherrilyn Kenyon said, “Life isn’t finding shelter in the storm. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

n my experience, one of the positive side-

Ieffects of the pandemic, with respect to our sector, has been a general increase in awareness of health- and waste-related matters on the part of the public. Various degrees of isolation and a heightened awareness of Covid-19-related waste has resulted in many thinking further than the kerbside on which the weekly black bags or bins are put out for collection.

Some well-publicised waste management failures over the last few years have also contributed to this increased ‘waste’ awareness. This surely presents an opportunity for both government and the waste industry, which will hopefully result in a greater focus on health and waste management, and increased participation in finding solutions on the part of the general public.

We have been grappling with a severe ‘waste crisis’ for some time now, with government policy and departmental objectives over the last few years often being out of alignment with the reality of waste in South Africa. There has been an overwhelming tendency to eschew the need for engineered sanitary landfill facilities in favour of other philosophies more aligned with the waste hierarchy or circular economy. This has been done without recognising that an effective transition takes years to achieve, and that circular economy (and zero waste) approaches require not less, but

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more – and better – waste management. While I believe there is absolutely no debate over the need to embrace a circular economy and strive towards zero waste production and resource efficiency, this transition is not automatic; it will take time to properly develop the required technologies, governance and business models.

For the myriad waste streams currently in existence, it will be of utmost importance to substantially improve the management thereof, in order to protect human health and the environment – the primary purpose of waste management. The management and treatment of all these ‘waste’ streams will have greater importance, as these materials are discarded and then repurposed with higher value, while also recognising that there will always be residual waste to contend with.

Landfill availability essential

While engineered, sanitary landfills (even if only for emergencies) will always be the last resort for any waste management system, no matter how advanced it might be, the available evidence around the world has shown that the availability of environmentally safe landfills is crucial.

Acknowledging the need, it makes sense, then, that the design, construction and operation of our waste management facilities and engineered landfills should be of such a level as to ensure that these facilities are of the highest standard possible. In recent times, considerable emphasis has been placed on the quality of engineering designs and construction quality assurance during landfill construction, with electrical methods for leak detection in geomembranes also gaining prominence. The well-attended webinar held recently in partnership with GIGSA was the first of what I hope will be many engagements on these topics. We have indeed come a long way since the initial publication of SANS 10409.

A thank-you and a welcome

As I am sure most of you will be aware, Gail Smit and Ann Oosthuizen both officially retired at the end of March and will be assisting with the transition of the new persons taking over their roles over the next few months.

Both these well-respected ladies have played a pivotal role in the leadership, direction and everyday operations of the IWMSA for a number of years, and I cannot understate their value. They have tirelessly ensured that we live up to the expectations of our members and the waste sector. Nothing was too big or too small for them to tackle, and we owe much of where we are today to their efforts. On behalf of the IWMSA, I would like to say a huge thank-you for your commitment over the years and wish you all the very best in the coming years.

In closing, I would also like to take the opportunity to welcome our new executive manager, Nicolle de Bruyn, to the IWMSA. I am sure she will step into the role with great enthusiasm, and look forward to working with her on Council. Welcome to the team!

Brendon Jewaskiewitz, President, IWMSA