Gauteng launches E-waste recycling project

The Gauteng province accounts for over 50% of e-waste in the country, which is growing at a rate three times faster than any other form of waste.

About 360 000 t of e-waste is generated each year across South Africa, with Gauteng responsible for about 55% of that. As the pressure of e-waste mounts on the country, the Gauteng government says this situation cannot continue and has launched a groundbreaking e-Waste Management Strategy in partnership with the University of Johannesburg (UJ). The aim is to tackle the global e-waste problem.

The Gauteng Premier, David Makhura; MEC for Finance and e-Government, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko; Deputy Vice Chancellor of UJ: Research and Innovation, Professor Saurabh Sinha; and Themba Ndlovu from the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NAFCOC) – and other business leaders – launched the e-waste management solution in March 2022.

Premier Makhura said it was a proud moment to witness the launch of the e-waste strategy, which responds directly to the ever-increasing volumes of e-waste.

“This launch is aimed at addressing both the mounting e-waste and the stubborn unemployment crisis. The e-waste management strategy and partnership with UJ creates an ecosystem to discard, recycle or donate e-Waste products in a manner that creates small businesses and job opportunities among the youth,” said Makhura.

The Premier further added that this was a paradox, as cities and urban regions are experiencing the benefits of technology but are also facing a mounting problem of waste management and waste disposal as a critical dimension of the broad environmental and climate crisis.

“Millions of tonnes of waste are filling landfill sites and municipal efforts at turning waste into energy are not moving at an acceptable pace in our municipalities. As a result of the rapid pace of technological change, the management of e-waste – that is, the disposal and recycling of electronic gadgets and electrical equipment – has become a worldwide environmental concern that requires a coordinated response and productive partnerships,” he added.

There will be training programmes for collectors, separators and entrepreneurs – starting with training 200 young people immediately. By 2024, they expect to have over 2 800 young people who have been trained and employed in this e-waste management pilot programme.

The strategy will bring together government, the private sector and universities to train the youth, SMMEs and waste pickers and empower them to take full advantage of the economic opportunities of the e-waste subsector of the waste and circular economy.