High calibre speakers and industry experts will convene at this year’s waste management conference, WasteCon 2016. Pictured above is Torben Kristiansen, Vice President - Waste and Contaminated Sites at COWI A/S based in Denmark, keynote speaker for this year’s conference. [High resolution image available on request]
With the recent waste management policy and legislative changes in South Africa, the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa flagship biennial conference, WasteCon will set the stage for healthy debate and knowledge sharing.

Africa’s largest and most prestigious waste management conference is set to take place in Johannesburg during October this year, where delegates can look forward to a fantastic line-up of sessions and exhibitions. WasteCon 2016 is the flagship conference of the IWMSA and one of the most important events on southern Africa’s environmental calendar this year. Waste-wise organisations cannot afford to miss a spot at this year’s event, taking place from 17 to 21 October 2016 at Emperors Palace, Johannesburg. The theme for the 23rd biennial conference is ‘The Changing Face of Waste Management’.

Prof. Suzan Oelofse, President of the IWMSA says, “We encourage people and organisations operating in the environmental and waste management industry to register for this exclusive conference where best practices will be shared from all over the globe.” Early bird registrations are open and interested parties can benefit from the reduced fee before 31 May 2016.

The keynote speaker for the event is Torben Kristiansen, Vice President - Waste and Contaminated Sites at COWI A/S based in Denmark. With his extensive experience in waste management, Kristiansen will delve into the current status of the waste management industry, legislation and practice in Europe. He will share the intended and unintended consequences of the current European waste management legislation as well as the private sector’s involvement in waste management. Kristiansen will also focus on the South African waste landscape, the recent policy and legislative changes and whether a European modelled policy will be viable in South Africa.

Other thought-provoking topics that will be discussed at the conference include: e-waste; waste-to-energy; the role of industrial symbiosis in South Africa; the future of employees in the waste industry; leachate treatment; and the potential for new recycling industries from under-utilised waste streams.

Another key attraction of the conference is the wide range of exhibitors that will showcase their diverse waste management products and services. At the last WasteCon in 2014, over 450 delegates and 70 exhibitors attended the event and it promises to be even bigger this year. The conference provides an invaluable opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their brands to public, educational and governmental delegates. The social programme allows for networking with other key players in the waste management industry from both South Africa and abroad.

“A number of high quality exhibitors have already registered for WasteCon 2016,” says Oelofse. “We are expecting this year to be greater than ever before. Players in the waste management industry should not miss this fantastic opportunity to network, benchmark and gain invaluable industry knowledge.”

For information and to book your early bird ticket, please visit www.wastecon.co.za
For more information about the IWMSA, visit www.iwmsa.co.za