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Waste Management and Recycling

Local furnace builder playing its part in global urban mining

By: Darren Parker 27th January 2022 Foundry and engineering company Thos Begbie is supporting recycling and the circular economy by supplying specialist critical components for pyrometallurgical smelting in furnaces designed for reclaiming rare metals. Reclaiming rare metals from waste – called urban mining – involves extracting... →

Significant untapped potential in local waste economy

By: Darren Parker 24th September 2021 The current contribution of the waste economy to South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) could significantly increase if the importance of implementing the waste management hierarchy is fully recognised, says waste management company Interwaste human resources and transformation director... →

A photo of two informal waste reclaimers walking along the road dragging trolleys laden with recyclable waste

Photo by Reuters
UNDERVALUED Informal waste reclaimers perform a much-needed recycling service in South Africa with little support or appreciation

Programme expands into other provinces

By: Darren Parker 24th September 2021 National Cleaner Production Centre South Africa’s (NCPC-SA’s) Industrial Symbiosis Programme (ISP) is on track to be launched in the Eastern Cape and the Free State before the end of the year, says NCPC-SA national programme manager Victor Manavhela. “We are to conclude feasibility studies in... →

A photo of plastic dustbins in the background, which are made from recycled waste plastic and rubber in bags shown in the foreground

REPURPOSED Where one company sees waste, another might see a valuable resource

Pressure on municipalities key to recycle culture

By: Darren Parker 24th September 2021 The quality of waste management in South Africa is improving, but citizens need to continue putting pressure on municipalities and their respective communities – especially in rural areas – to treat waste as a valuable resource that creates employment if collected and recycled. “That’s the only... →

A photo of Plastics SA sustainability director Douw Steyn and Clean Surf Project member Smphiwe Shozi picking up litter on a beach

DOUW STEYN AND SMPHIWE SHOZI Plastics SA coordinated South Africa’s participation in the International Coastal Clean-Up Day

Rubble recycling not seen as economically viable

By: Darren Parker 24th September 2021 The recycling of construction and demolition materials in South Africa is behind the global curve, partly because it is generally not viewed as economically viable by the vast majority of local companies operating in the sector, claims crushing and screening equipment supplier Pilot Crushtec... →

A photo of Pilot Crushtec Africa sales manager Fernando Abelho

FERNANDO ABELHO A lack of enforcement means much construction and demolition waste is not suitable for recycling into general aggregate

IS programme gaining momentum

By: Tracy Hancock 25th September 2020 The Industrial Symbiosis (IS) programme of the National Cleaner Production Centre South Africa (NCPC-SA), a division of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, will play a significant role in helping the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) meet South Africa’s... →

RECYCLING REWARDS Esilthuli Plastic Recycling is growing its production of recycled plastic products, creating jobs through its involvement in the Industrial Symbiosis programme

FMSA Waste Management & Recycling

25th September 2020 FMSA Waste Management & Recycling provides a holistic waste collection solution, consolidating various waste management disciplines into a single complete, sustainable and environment-friendly offering. With its One Solution turnkey approach, FMSA focusses on providing a zero-cost waste... →

Industry appeals to country to separate paper products for recycling

25th September 2020 An interesting development as a result of Covid-19, lockdown and the slowed economy has been reduced availability of used white paper and secondary packaging such as cardboard boxes and newspapers. This is according to South African paper recycling association RecyclePaperZA. →

RECYCLING TRENDS South Africa’s paper recovery rate for last year is at 68.5% with 1.2-million tonnes of recyclable paper products diverted from landfill

Industry body submits plastic-waste guidelines to govt

By: Tracy Hancock 25th September 2020 South African plastics industry representative Plastics SA along with industry body Packaging SA and producer responsibility organisations (PROs) of various packaging waste streams submitted guidelines to government last month following the publication of draft Extended Producer Responsibility... →

PLASTIC STATS In 2018, 46.3% of all plastics placed on the market was collected for recycling in South Africa, with 352 000 t of plastics recycled

South Africa should ramp up e-waste recycling

By: Tracy Hancock 25th September 2020 The level of e-waste recycling in South Africa is extremely low. While 6 kg/y to 7 kg/y of e-waste is generated for every South African citizen only 360 000 t/y of e-waste is placed on the market. Only 7% to 12% of the total volume is being recycled formally. This percentage could be doubled when... →

REUSING RESOURCES With up to 99% of all components that comprise information technology devices being recyclable, the world’s finite resources can be saved

PRO-10 STRAPTM – South Africa’s state-of-the-art PET strapping solution

25th September 2020 Did you know that using PRO-10 STRAPTM can assist your company’s sustainability goals, while also lowering your environmental carbon footprint? PRO-10 STRAPTM is locally manufactured polyester (PET) strapping with exceptional tensile strength, tenacity and high elasticity. Used to secure unstable... →

OCTOPUS ELECTRONICS

By: Creamer Media Reporter 8th October 2019 Octopus Electronics offers complete pipeline solutions and trenchless innovations. As a leader in its field, Octopus Electronics offers a number of services, including distribution, repair facilities and rental agents. The most reliable, cutting-edge, practical and technologically advanced... →

S Africa legislation bans liquid waste from landfills

27th September 2019 A massive shift in South African waste legislation took place when, effective August 23, local legislation banned all liquid waste from landfills. →

Equipment boost aids recycling entrepreneur

27th September 2019 With a desire to clean up Soweto, educate the community and combat the problem of overfull landfills, waste management company Pendowave founder and MD Gordon Nkuta has built a thriving recycling business and has now earned the support of one of the world’s largest polyethylene terephthalate... →

CLEANING UP A baling machine contributes to the company’s progress and profitability

Partnership deploys waste recycling tech

By: Cameron Mackay 27th September 2019 Energy equipment and waste disposal solutions provider Bio-Dynamic Fuel (BDF) is focusing on partnering with food service and retail businesses to deploy the company’s waste disposal and renewable-energy solutions on a national level. The company’s technology entails converting used cooking oil... →

OIL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL The deployment will focus on the company’s developed B-Tech 40 ℓ processor and chemical mix, which converts used cooking oil into biofuel

Industry body aims for plastics recycling rise

By: Theresa Bhowan-Rajah 27th September 2019 Having recycled 46.3% of plastic waste last year, plastics industry association Plastics SA aims to recycle 48% of plastic waste by the end of this year, despite economic challenges. →

BRIGHTER FUTURE Plastic SA wants to prevent plastic waste from ending up in the environment

Upcycling initiative creates employment opportunities

By: Theresa Bhowan-Rajah 27th September 2019 Through research, innovation, skills development and corporate contribution, carbon tax training and consulting services expert 5inc is well placed to create jobs and skills development opportunities through projects based on waste collection and upcycling. →

YASMINE MIEMIEC 5inc turns corporate waste into new and reusable products

Waste management a concern for S Africa

27th September 2019 “South Africa is a leader in waste management in Southern Africa, however, when considering waste management throughout the life cycle, South Africa is about 20 to 30 years behind European countries and other developed countries,” says Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA)... →

Industrial symbiosis makes Vision 2030 viable

By: Theresa Bhowan-Rajah 27th September 2019 The National Cleaner Production Centre of South Africa (NCPC-SA), a division of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, tells Engineering News that its industrial symbiosis programme is a great contributor to the initiative to achieve zero waste to landfill by 2030 in South Africa. →

Behavioural change a hurdle across industries

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 28th September 2018 A change of attitude towards waste management and recycling is needed to effect a real and positive cultural shift in the sector, but cooperation and willingness to change behaviours is a significant obstacle, says waste management company Interwaste business development and marketing director... →

RECYCLE, REUSE, REPURPOSE Waste management companies play an important role in providing alternative channels of waste disposal to assist in encouraging citizens to adopt a recycling culture

Closure, rehabilitation of landfills a major issue

28th September 2018 As landfill space in South Africa reaches capacity, the controlled, planned and systematic filling of landfill cells requires progressive closure and rehabilitation, says infrastructure delivery company Aecom, adding that it can provide this specialised service. Landfills may need to be closed... →

JAM-PACKED JUNK Once filled to capacity, landfills must be closed and decommissioned

Managing waste generation crucial

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 28th September 2018 Effective waste management entails industries’ not overlooking the management of waste generation, says the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s (CSIR’s) Waste Research, Development and Innovation Roadmap Implementation Unit manager Professor Linda Godfrey. “There is still a great... →

EXPLOSIVE OPPORTUNITIES There are many waste streams where significant opportunities exist for diversion such as organic waste or construction and demolition waste

Petco submits industry waste management plan

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 28th September 2018 Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycling company Petco submitted its Industry Waste Management Plan (IndWMP) for the PET packaging sector as part of industry body Packaging SA’s Federation of Plans for the packaging industry, says Petco stakeholder relations manager Janine Basson. Packaging SA... →

JANINE BASSON Petco is well placed to continue delivering results in this next stage of South Africa’s environmental legislation

Plastics industry should strive for zero pellet loss

28th September 2018 Plastics industry body Plastics|SA is calling on role-players to work towards achieving the goal of zero pellet, flake and powder loss. The local plastics industry has reiterated its commitment to keep the country’s water sources free of plastic pollution. Plastics|SA executive director Anton... →

PROBLEMATIC PELLETS
Pellet, flake and powder loss has several negative impacts on individual companies, the plastics industry as a whole and the environment

Photo by Bloomberg
PROBLEMATIC PELLETS Pellet, flake and powder loss has several negative impacts on individual companies, the plastics industry as a whole and the environment

Rescue Rod

By: Creamer Media Reporter 28th September 2018 Rescue Rod has been providing various pipeline services and waste management solutions since 1990. With over 25 years of experience in the industry and some of the most technologically advanced industrial sewer cleaning and pipeline rehabilitation equipment globally, Rescue Rod has always stayed... →

Company champions enterprise development in fledgling waste industry

By: Nadine James 8th September 2017 Skills and socioeconomic development company Bosch Ulwazi launched the first phase of its three-year Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) programme in KwaZulu-Natal, in July. The Petroleum and Waste Recycling programme will assist in developing five businesses that will offer products and... →

ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT The programme encompasses project and operations management, mentoring and skills development, as well as assistance with International Organisation of Standardisation accreditation

Organisation advocates a local recycling culture

By: Nadine James 8th September 2017 Despite numerous recycling initiatives and incentives in communities across the country – including collection points in close proximity to neighbourhoods – metal packaging recycling organisation MetPac-SA believes that an inherent recycling culture still needs to be established in South Africa.... →

ONE MAN'S TRASH Aluminium and metal cans are regarded as high-value items by recyclers

Coastal Clean-Up assists in educating public on responsible plastic use

By: Nadine James 8th September 2017 As part of the yearly initiative Clean-up & Recycle SA Week, taking place from September 11 to 17, industry body Plastics|SA says the yearly International Coastal Clean-up (ICC) day on September 16 is the highlight of the week, as it is the world’s biggest yearly volunteer effort for ocean... →

SAVING THE ENVIRONMENT Saving the seas international Coastal Clean-up day on September 16 is the highlight of Clean-up and Recycle SA Week

Good-quality waste necessary for increased mechanical recycling

By: Simon Sonnekus 8th July 2016 The South African plastic industry requires a constant stream of clean, high-quality plastic waste to maintain and increase the level of mechanical recycling in South Africa. While there has been concern over the past few years that the amount of waste exported is increasing, findings from the... →

EXPORTS While exporting recyclable plastic material does bring in foreign exchange, the export of good-quality waste impacts South African recycling operations

Sustainable disposal methods to be investigated

8th July 2016 The rise in waste generated by South Africa has led to the need for responsible and environment-friendly disposal methods. According to local waste management business Interwaste sales and marketing director Jason McNeil the default method of disposal for many years has been directing this waste... →

Photo by Duane Daws
Caption: WASTE DISPOSAL Companies are being driven to innovate by changing methods of disposal

WasteCon 2016 to highlight local waste legislation

By: Simon Sonnekus 8th July 2016 The changing face of waste management in South Africa will be the main theme of the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa’s (IWMSA’s) biennial waste management conference and exhibition WasteCon 2016, which will take place from October 17 to 21 at Emperors Palace, in Gauteng. WasteCon... →

Separation at source to improve recycling standard

By: Simon Sonnekus 8th July 2016 Nonprofit polyolefin recycling company Polyco is focussing renewed attention on building strong value-chain partnerships with recyclers, converters and brand owners by providing funding support for projects that will facilitate the move into high-quality critical market applications. To support... →

INVESTMENT An additional R150-million investment in project funding is needed over the next four years to enable Polyco to achieve the recycling target of 234 000 t, or 35%, recycled polyolefin by 2020

Sustainable roof tile set to revolutionise market

By: Simon Sonnekus 8th July 2016 Pretoria-based start-up company Thevia has introduced a sustainably manufactured roof tile that should “revolutionise” the roof tile market owing to its unique design, says Thevia FD Martin Ackermann. The tiles, each weighing 1.3 kg are 70% lighter than traditional concrete, slate or clay tiles,... →

BILL BOWMAN Thevia can currently produce about 20 000 tiles a month on an experimental line at the pilot plant

Waste management pricing, incentives require debate, says law firm

By: Mia Breytenbach 10th July 2015 The possible effects of government’s National Pricing Strategy for Waste Management on South African business should be publicly debated, as it could impact on companies’ business management, including smaller companies that might not be able to adjust their businesses to combat the strategy’s... →

SPARKING CHANGE The proposed waste management amendments aim to bring about a change in the industry's behaviour to recycle, reuse or recover waste

Photo by Bloomberg
SPARKING CHANGE The proposed waste management amendments aim to bring about a change in the industry's behaviour to recycle, reuse or recover waste

Waste classification, management regulations slowly being implemented

By: Mia Breytenbach 10th July 2015 While amendments to the National Environmental Waste Management Act include the Waste Classification and Management Regulations (WCMR), environmental consultancy GreenGain Consulting believes that various companies have not yet amended their management procedures to ensure that WCMR obligations... →

REGULATORY SPECIFICATIONS
The Waste Classification and Management Regulations stipulate management obligations for waste classification, storage, transportation and disposal

Photo by Bloomberg
REGULATORY SPECIFICATIONS The Waste Classification and Management Regulations stipulate management obligations for waste classification, storage, transportation and disposal

Waste management specialist commissions refuse-derived fuels facility

By: Mia Breytenbach 10th July 2015 Local waste management and environmental services provider Interwaste is in the process of commissioning of a refuse-derived fuels (RDF) facility at its operational hub based in Germiston, Gauteng. Final commissioning will take place in the third quarter of this year. “The facility puts general... →

VIABLE TECHNOLOGY The refuse-derived fuels facility shreds general industrial and municipal waste to particle sizes of less than 20 mm to be used as an alternative energy source

Waste management plan meets targets, focuses on secondary resources

By: Mia Breytenbach 10th July 2015 The Recycling and Economic Development Initiative of South Africa’s (Redisa’s) Integrated Industry Waste Tyre Management Plan is “excelling beyond expectations”, having already met the Department of Environmental Affairs’ waste tyre diversion target of 50% for the year, states Redisa director... →

AIMING HIGH Redisa aims to exceed its target of creating 2 521 jobs this year, as 91% of that target was reached by the end of May

Polyolefin recycling goal aims to achieve industry waste management plan target

10th July 2015 The South African Polyolefin Recycling Company (Polyco) has set a goal of growing polyolefin recycling in South Africa by 300 000 t over the next five years to achieve the Industry Waste Management Plan target for plastic of 35%, or 238 000 t, by 2020. “Although an ambitious target, we believe it... →

SET TARGETS Since 2013 Polyco has funded projects worth R17-million in the recycling value chain, which will unlock new volumes of 48 000 t over the next three years

Editorial Insight

Urgent solution needed

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Dean Thompson

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DUSTBIN OF HISTORY

South Africa simply cannot afford a repeat of 2021 this year. Further delays in dealing with the country’s big problems of load-shedding, economic and social crime, vaccine hesitancy and, most worryingly, a growth rate that is too low to make a dent into chronic unemployment will set the scene for the type of deadly instability that gripped the country in July last year. Decisive policymaking and diligent implementation are the only ways to confine 2021 to the dustbin of history.

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