Whether you're a corporate event planner or a parent hosting a family party this Easter Weekend, you'll probably have your hands full with planning and preparations.
 
"This year, it's equally important to work waste management into your do," says Mpendulo Ginindza, President of the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA).
 
Countrywide Easter events can put a huge strain on the national waste management infrastructure and that's bad news for the environment. So, let’s commit to doing things differently this time around.
 
Planning a Zero Waste event
Planning for waste management means having the right mindset. You can be a waste-free event pro by following these guidelines from Mpendulo:

• Think Zero. Zero Waste means less than 80% of your event’s waste will go to a landfill.
• Research. Get online to learn what it takes to run a Zero Waste event or who can help you do it right.
• Educate. For larger events, make sure your team understands your waste goals and what is acceptable practice on the day. For smaller occasions, let your guests know what they can and cannot bring with them in your invitation.
• Reject. Don't hesitate to reject any vendor or product that does not live up to your Zero Waste standards.
• Reduce. Less is more! So, cut back on unnecessary items that would go unused anyway or shortly end up in a landfill.
• Reuse. Wherever possible, opt for tableware, packaging, decorations and other items that can be readily reused at your next event or stored away for next year.
• Return. Some vendors provide a variety of event items, from decorations and tableware to furnishings and equipment, that they collect or you return afterwards – sometimes even unopened consumables. Ask about your options.
• Recycle and compost. When you absolutely must use disposable items at your event, make sure they are certified as recyclable, biodegradable or compostable, and that you dispose of them in the appropriate receptacles or manner. At larger events, provide sufficient receptacles at key locations and post signs requesting their use.
• Donate. You might be done with your decorations and unused consumables but associations for the elderly, orphans or other underprivileged communities would love to reuse them to make the less fortunate happy too. Donations of unopened, fresh food are also always welcome.
• Promote. You can let your attendees or guests know about your Zero Waste policy in subtle and clever ways without looking like a stick in the mud. In today's environmentally aware society, they will most likely appreciate the gesture.

 

• Repeat. Whether you’re just eyeballing or seriously spreadsheeting, evaluate your waste reduction results and commit to doing even better next time.

 
Extra tips

• If you're hosting at an indoor or outdoor venue, check that the venue managers also follow a Zero Waste policy and offer the waste management amenities you demand.
• Compile a list of vendors with a good reputation for Zero Waste practices and let them know what you expect from them and their third-party providers.
• In today's online world, you can send great looking digital invitations and autotrack RSVPs by email, text message or shareable link. There are literally hundreds of online vendors specialising in this service and it's much easier than physical cards.

• Be authentic, when we are authentic is when we waste less.

Good, clean Easter fun
This Easter bash is going to be your best one yet, all because of your waste management skills. That's extra cause for celebration.
 
"The IWMSA thanks you for your efforts and wishes all South Africans a happy, safe and waste-free Easter," says Mpendulo.
 
ENDS
 
MEDIA CONTACT: Idele Prinsloo, [email protected], 082 573 9219, www.atthatpoint.co.za 
 
For more information on IWMSA please visit:
Website: Home (iwmsa.co.za)
Twitter: @IWMSA
LinkedIn: Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa
Facebook: Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa

Every industry suffers its fair share of myths, and waste management is no different.
 
"We need to separate the truth from the half-truths and nonsense that can hinder our progress towards a waste-free society," says Mpendulo Ginindza, President of the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa.
 
Here are her 10 top myths about waste management.
 
Myth 1: Waste Management is only about garbage disposal
How to dispose of one's garbage is just a small part of waste management, a complex discipline that reaches across industries and national borders. It embraces strategies for ethical, sustainable and responsible product development, manufacture, consumption and disposal, including the destruction, storage, recycling or reusability of waste.
 
Myth 2: Waste management is solely the government's responsibility
Waste management is, in fact, the responsibility of everyone who generates waste, including households, retailers and, under recent legislation, product manufacturers. They are assisted by the waste managers who direct day-to-day operations in the waste industry.
 
Myth 3: The goal of Waste Management is to save the environment
While environmental preservation is a key goal of waste management, it equally benefits society and the economy. This includes protecting the health of humans, animals and plant life by preventing them and their surroundings from becoming contaminated. Contamination can threaten food and water supplies, and therefore has dire economic implications.
 
Myth 4: Landfills are the only solution
Until now, landfills have been a necessary evil, not a solution. Modern waste management comprises a range of alternative strategies that seek to reduce landfills and minimise our dependence on them.
 
Myth 5: Recycling is too expensive and inefficient
In some cases, maybe, but if this myth were really true, recycling companies would not survive long, let alone profit as they do. Every year, recycling technologies become more advanced, cost-effective and efficient, ensuring recycling remains a go-to waste management practice.
 
Myth 6: Everything must be recycled
Unfortunately, this myth is the result of retail marketing focusing only on recycling because the term is popular with consumers. In fact, not all waste is suitable for recycling and other

methods exist to handle anything that is not. They include incineration, composting, waste-to-energy, reuse and others.
 
Myth 7: We need to maximise recycling rates
If only. However, achieving a maximum rate of recycling depends on many factors, such as recycling technologies, capabilities and throughput capacity as well as economic viability. Every solution has limits and, as mentioned, attention and resources must also be given to managing waste that cannot be recycled at all and for which better techniques exist.
 
Myth 8: Stricter regulation is the answer
Do more traffic cameras prevent people from speeding? Usually not. Regulation only sets the standard for compliance. It must be supported by education and public awareness programmes that teach people the benefits of positive waste management behaviours. Training needs to start at home and in kindergarten, and continue throughout high school, university and into employment.
 
Myth 9: Waste Management is a secondary concern
You may be surprised that many of today's global problems, especially the climate crisis, are directly or indirectly linked to poor waste management. It is actually a primary concern because it is deeply embedded in so many others.
 
Myth 10: Third world countries can't afford waste management
The truth? We cannot afford not to embrace waste management because that will cost us dearly in the long run. In fact, we have the opportunity to lead the world by developing advanced waste management techniques that fit the African context.
 
Busting myths
Successful waste management demands the participation of all stakeholders, including consumers, businesses, and government.
 
Unfortunately, waste management myths can hamper our initiatives and hinder our progress.
 
"We need to educate ourselves on waste management truths so we can develop effective strategies, and each play a meaningful role in reducing waste," says Ginindza.
 
ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Idele Prinsloo, [email protected], 082 573 9219, www.atthatpoint.co.za 
 
For more information on IWMSA please visit:
Website: Home (iwmsa.co.za)
X (Twitter): @IWMSA
LinkedIn: Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa