Subdirectorate: Hazardous and Non-Hazardous Waste

Mission:

To responsibly manage and reduce the polluting and negative impacts of hazardous waste and materials on the environment, and to promote and ensure the environmentally sound and safe management of such materials in a sustainable manner through effective communication and co-ordination, both nationally and internationally.

Functions:

Functions resulting from Chapter 19 of Agenda 21:

• Drafting of a national profile.
• Development and implementation of a chemicals register.
• Development of an Integrated Hazardous Materials Management Policy.
• Implementation of the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Convention. The PIC Convention tries to promote the exchange of information on certain hazardous chemicals and their transport and trade.
• Implementation of the POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants) Convention which attempts to limit hazardous organic pollutants.
• Implementation of the Basel Convention. The Basel Convention is a global environmental treaty that strictly regulates the transboundary movement of hazardous waste.
• Development and implementation of a PRTR.

Functions resulting from the implementation of the National Waste Management Strategy (NWMS):

• Evaluation and approval of the provincial hazardous waste management plans.
• Monitoring of hazardous waste landfill sites and treatment facilities.
• Development and implementation of the Waste Information System as a first step towards the development of a PRTR system for SA.

Functions resulting from International Conventions and Agreements:

• Administration and approval of the import and export of hazardous waste (Basel Convention).
• Negotiations and technical information transfer on hazardous waste (Basel Convention).
• Establishment and monitoring of a Regional Training Centre for English Speaking African Countries (Basel Convention).
• Identification of chemicals to be controlled and banned (PIC Convention).
• Administration and approval of exports and imports of controlled and banned chemicals.
• Negotiations and technical information regarding Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
• Implementation of the POPs Convention, aiming to phase out the current twelve POPs.

Contact details:

Name:    Buti Mathebula
Tel:        (012) 310 3448
Fax:       (012) 320 1167
E-mail:    bes_bm@ozone.pwv.gov.za

Subdirectorate: Community Programmes and Waste Management

Mission:

To ensure the provision of basic waste management services to that sector of the population for whom no or inadequate waste management services are provided. To ensure an efficient and effective integrated waste management approach at the local level.

Goals:

• To ensure the provision of basic waste management services to that section of the population for whom no or an inadequate waste management service is provided.
• To ensure an efficient and effective integrated waste management approach at the local level.
• To set targets to minimise waste generation and pollution at source.
• To create measures to minimise waste and pollution.
• To ensure that local authorities have the necessary capacity to provide effective management of household waste.
• To establish efficient information systems to insure informed and transparent decision-making.

Functions:

• Facilitate the implementation of National Waste Management Strategy initiatives on general waste collection transport, treatment and disposal.
• Promote public/private partnership on waste management issues
• Monitor and audit provincial and local government activities.
• Set national standards for sound waste management.
• Provide waste management services to previously disadvantaged communities.
• Develop waste recycling and recovery systems
• Pro-active in managing and monitoring waste disposal and treatment facilities in the country.
• Address all legal requirements within the sub Directorate.
• Public awareness on waste management issues.
• Identify and coordinate recycling initiatives.
• Develop specific regulation on recycling.
• Promote Regional Disposal site concept
• Promote recycling of waste by both civil and business to be supported by specific regulation.
• Action plans on -: Collection Disposal Recycling of waste
• Establish the Green Communities pilot project for South Africa.

Contact details:

Name:    Lucas Mahlangu
Tel:        (012) 310 3536
Fax:       (012) 320 1167
E-mail:    bes_lm@ozone.pwv.gov.za