A waste management system has to relate to the communities it serves. In South Africa the political, social, environmental, economic and technical factors create a unique dynamic milieu, in which the challenges are so diverse that problems cannot be solved by merely scaling up existing levels of services. New approaches are required to handle rapid urbanisation, recycling and industrial waste through regionalisation, legislation and control.

As a result, the National Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) and the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, in collaboration with the Danish Co-operation for Environment and Development (DANCED) have initiated a project for the development of a National Waste Management Strategy (NWMS).

What needs have been identified?

• A paradigm shift from end of pipe treatment to pollution prevention / waste minimisation
• Provision of basic waste management services to all South Africans
• Proper consideration of health and safety
• Integrated waste management
• Integration with other government department initiatives, programmes and administrative systems

The National Waste Management Strategy is entering its fourth phase, which is the implementation phase.

Waste management campaign

In order to solicit government's goals and to continuously implement initiatives designed to improve the quality of life of the people of South Africa, the DEAT launched a National Waste Management Campaign on 31 October 1998. The aim of the Campaign is to inculcate the culture of responsibility with regard to waste and pollution management to enable South African communities to initiate projects designed to abate waste and pollution problems.

What are the aims of the campaign?

• To create a sustainable livelihood for the poor through improved access to environmental resources
• To improve the level of public awareness with regard to waste and pollution management, as well as the need for community action in the development and maintenance of green spaces and other public facilities and amenities
• To return and guarantee the dignity and humanity of the African people, in particular those living in informal settlements, by providing sustainable, appropriate and affordable sanitation

With increasing unemployment in South Africa, many people are finding alternative means to generate income. One of these is to establish a recycling depot or a buy-back centre. The Waste Management and Community Programmes sub-directorate of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism has received numerous enquiries and applications to support these ventures. Although most of these ventures have environmental merit, the planning is frequently inadequate.

Do you know what a buy-back centre is? What about a recycling depot? Buy-back centre: A place where people bring waste for collection. They are paid for the waste they bring in. Recycling depot: People are not always paid for the materials they bring in for recycling.

Some important contacts:

Collect-a-can: 011 466 2939
Plastic Federation of SA: 011 314 4021
Glass Recycling: 011 874 0000
Carlton Paper: 011 616 1890
Sappi Waste Paper: 0800 221 330
Nampak Paper Recycling: 0800 018 818
Mondi Recycling: 0800 022 112