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:
Website: Home (iwmsa.co.za)
Twitter: @IWMSA
LinkedIn: Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa
Facebook: Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa

This World Earth Day April 22, 2024, the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA) underscores the critical need for concerted efforts to combat plastic pollution, a pressing environmental challenge in South Africa. This year's theme, "Planet vs. Plastics," resonates deeply with the ongoing battle against plastic pollution in our country, emphasising the urgency of transitioning towards sustainable waste management practices and reducing plastic production.

According to Mpendulo Ginindza, President of the IWMSA, "The plastic economy in South Africa is based on a linear model of take-make-waste, leading to significant environmental consequences. Improper waste management results in plastic waste infiltrating our rivers, oceans, and communities, posing threats to wildlife and ecosystems.”

She says that even seemingly sustainable solutions need to be rethought when it comes to how we handle waste management. According to the Ewastemonitorinfo.org’s new report, The global E-waste Monitor 2024, the green transition and the connecting of off-grid communities will lead to a quadrupling of waste from photovoltaic panels from 0.6 billion kg in 2022 to 2.4 billion kg in 2030.

“Small equipment, such as video cameras, toys, microwave ovens and e-cigarettes, also constitutes the largest category of e-waste in terms of mass, accounting for 20 billion kg in 2022, or almost one-third of the world’s total e-waste,” says Ginindza.

In alignment with World Earth Day's "Planet vs. Plastics" theme, the IWMSA is devoted to raising awareness about the detrimental impacts of plastic pollution and promoting sustainable solutions to address this pressing issue. Through initiatives such as community clean-ups and educational campaigns, the IWMSA aims to empower individuals, businesses, and government agencies to take proactive steps towards reducing plastic consumption and promoting a circular economy.

"We have industry experts working tirelessly to review and update our training programs, equipping our members with the knowledge and tools to promote a circular economy and reduce plastic production," says Ginindza.

Collaboration Among Government Agencies, Businesses, and Individuals is needed
The IWMSA acknowledges the importance of collaboration among government agencies, businesses, and individuals in tackling plastic pollution and promoting sustainable waste management practices. Through strategic partnerships and collaborative initiatives, the IWMSA wants to harness collective efforts towards achieving the ambitious goal of reducing plastic production by 60% by 2040.

“As a member driven organisation, we require participation of members so that we can effectively engage stakeholders. IWMSA has MOUs with strategic partners, these include the DFFE, various universities and NGOs, and industries that support our vision. If we are to achieve the 2040 targets, we must work together. It requires collaboration and participation,” says Ginindza.

Despite facing challenges in achieving this target, including the need for increased member participation and stakeholder engagement, the IWMSA remains steadfast in its commitment to driving progress towards a sustainable future. Success stories, such as the development of professionals through IWMSA programs, underscore the organisation's impact in promoting environmental stewardship and responsible waste management practices.

Building on this commitment, the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), played a key role at the first session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-1) on Plastic Pollution. The meeting, held in Punta del Este, Uruguay from November 28 to December 2, 2022, focused on addressing the severe issue of plastic pollution as part of a wider environmental crisis. During the session, ISWA engaged with various stakeholders and member states, advocating for the development of an international legally binding agreement to combat plastic pollution effectively.

The IWMSA has shared ISWA’s recommendations with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment who are the National Focal Point.  ISWA’s contribution, crafted with insights from its Science and Technical Committee and finalised by a Task Force coordinating committee, is now available on the United Nations Environment Programme website.
Consumer Education and Empowerment Key to Fostering Sustainable Consumption Habits
As consumers play a crucial role in addressing the plastic pollution crisis, the IWMSA emphasises the importance of consumer education and empowerment in fostering sustainable consumption habits. By making informed choices and supporting initiatives that promote waste management and recycling, individuals can contribute to the shift towards a circular economy.
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“Looking ahead, the IWMSA's priorities include advancing its mission of promoting responsible waste management and environmental stewardship in South Africa, with a focus on driving the transition towards a circular economy and creating value from secondary resources to support job creation and economic growth,” concludes 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: @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