South African communities are increasingly becoming aware of how their own actions and projects can add value to their surroundings. This is not only in terms of improving the environment but also in creating safer, cleaner neighbourhoods with better property values.

According to Dr Mark Williams-Wynn, vice-chair of the KwaZulu-Natal Branch of the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA), the recognition of the need for “waste management beyond simply placing one’s rubbish into the municipal bin” has only arisen on a personal level worldwide in the last few years.

“South Africa is lagging behind in terms of community-driven waste management,” he says. “This could be because of the expectation that the government will supply the required facilities or services.”

With World Environmental Health Day on 26 September, he notes that so-called “pockets of excellence” do exist and they seem to inspire others to follow suit.

Litterboom and Regenize paves the way
Williams-Wynn says the Litterboom Project (which operates on eight rivers in KZN and two in Cape Town) is a shining example of what can be achieved when a community “buys in” on a project. The primary focus of the project is intercepting plastic pollution in rivers before it enters the ocean. It removes roughly 1.5 tonnes of waste per clean-up.

“However, they are also tackling the plastic problem through an upstream eco-system model, which includes improved waste management systems, education, and innovation,” Williams-Wynn adds. “This requires coordination between municipalities, plastic producers, and the private sector.”
“Another exciting aspect is their ‘Wastrepreneur’ program, where they are working with entrepreneurs from the communities to beneficiate and create value from the waste plastic collected.”

He says another project that deserves recognition is Regenize, an initiative to make recycling more accessible and inclusive. “Their REACT program partners with waste reclaimers to support and provide them with equipment, giving them dignity. It also educates the youth in the communities where they work.”

Benefits include Empowerment and sense of Ownership
The benefits of communities leading their own clean-up initiatives include ensuring that “what is required is implemented”, according to Williams-Wynn. “After all, each community has its own expectations and needs.”

One of the challenges, though, is that many types of waste cost money to manage and process. “Therefore, for poor communities, it is more difficult to implement, and they are the ones that most need these solutions. However, the benefits of community-led clean-up initiatives go beyond just the management of the waste. They result in the empowerment of the community and ownership of the area.”

That being said, community-led initiatives should not be seen as a “free pass” for the government not to do its constitutional duty.
 
“Governments and communities can collaborate on initiatives like these, with municipalities providing the technical support,” Williams-Wynn says. “Communities could be doing the collection and consolidation of the waste. Yet they need the municipalities in terms of processing and sending waste to the correct facilities.”
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When it comes to ‘litter’, start with a ‘little’
He says the first step when starting a new project is to make sure that you have buy-in from the community.

“Without this, the project is often dead in the water. It is also important to have a clear strategy with aims and objectives of the project in place.” But that doesn’t mean the ideals have to be lofty. Communities can start small.

“It could be as simple as contacting one of the Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) to ask if they can place a collection container within the community. It could be through encouraging the community to separate their recyclables at source. It could be organising a cleanup on a weekend.”

He says education is at the heart of community waste projects and that these small steps ultimately lead to big changes and a cleaner, safer environment. Given that one of the strategic objectives and key focuses of the IWMSA is to promote training and raise awareness in the area of effective and efficient waste management, the IWMSA may be well-positioned to offer support in this regard.

ENDS
 
MEDIA CONTACT: Idele Prinsloo, [email protected], 082 573 9219, www.atthatpoint.co.za 
 
For more information on IWMSA please visit:
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Twitter: @IWMSA
LinkedIn: Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa
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June 5 is World Environment Day and this year’s theme is Land Restoration, Desertification & Drought Resilience.
“These concerns are of the utmost importance to South Africa because the country is greatly susceptible to all three,” says Leon Grobbelaar, past President of the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA).
He asserts that good waste management plays a pivotal role in mitigating desertification and drought and facilitates land restoration.

The South African landscape
The World Economic Forum describes desertification as gradual degradation of the productive soil, water, biodiversity, and vegetation in an already arid landscape.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)’s National Action Programme for South Africa to Combat Desertification, Land Degradation and the Effects of Drought (2018-2030) notes that 91% of the country is drylands, making it especially vulnerable to desertification.

In addition, South Africa’s annual average rainfall is just 464mm, compared to the global average of 860mm per annum. Apart from its naturally dry climate, the country has suffered regular droughts over the last several decades.
These geographic factors have been exacerbated by man-made problems, such as climate change, deforestation, overgrazing of livestock, and unsustainable agricultural practices.

“Desertification, land degradation and drought inevitably endanger food security and water availability, negatively impacting the health, productivity and prosperity of our society,” says Grobbelaar.

The role of waste management
Waste management paves the way for land restoration and drought resilience by helping to preserve the existing condition of these resources.

“It’s no good fighting to win back land and water if we continue contaminating them at the same time,” says Grobbelaar.

This means directing waste away from fertile soil and sources of water to protect what remains and lay the foundation for the renewal of affected areas.

The term “waste” covers a wide array of elements, from everyday household refuse to electronic devices, organic matter, chemicals, and even nuclear materials Waste should be seen as a resource and hence the promotion and implementation of the circular economy and cradle to cradle principles.

Any number of these, discarded irresponsibly, threaten to contaminate soil and water, polluting the environment and the plant life, animals and humans that inhabit it.

In addition, waste management practices, like commodity recovery practises and composting, can accelerate land restoration and drought resilience.

For example, composted organic waste or processed faecal sludge can enrich soil, returning it to a productive state, while efficient water sanitation ensures that scarce, clean water is rapidly cycled back into lakes and rivers.

Innovating for the future
To ensure these outcomes, it’s critical that new and innovative waste management techniques and technologies be implemented to keep pace with future needs.

For example, the use of landfills as primary disposal option is not sustainable and alternative treatment and recovery solutions must be enforced and implemented.

“We need new approaches, and the waste community continues to research more efficient methods and means to overcome current limitations,” says Grobbelaar.

It’s appropriate that World Environment Day takes place in June, which is also Youth Month, because much of this innovation will come from a new generation of waste management professionals.

The IWMSA recognises and fosters these new perspectives through its Young Professionals Group (YPG) in the hope of accelerating current programmes in the industry.

“We have no doubt that they will contribute to a lusher, greener South Africa that promises health and happiness to all our citizens,” says Grobbelaar.
 
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: @IWMSA
LinkedIn: Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa
Facebook: Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa