In response to the challenge of waste management, government is providing households in Mpumalanga with easy access to recycling facilities, and offering guidance on how to properly separate and dispose of their old electronic devices.
“The increasing number of electronic devices being used without a proper system for disposal has led to the accumulation of waste that harms our environment and contaminates water and soil,” Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Bernice Swarts, said on Friday.
Addressing a service delivery imbizo in Bushbuckridge, Swarts said the project aims to change the way residents think about their waste.
“In Bushbuckridge Local Municipality (BLM), like many other parts of our country, improper disposal of e-waste has become a growing concern. As we all know, the municipality faces challenges with waste management, and electronic waste is one of the most problematic. The goal of this project is to test and implement a sustainable system for recycling e-waste in BLM,” the Deputy Minister said.
This initiative was launched in partnership with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE); Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs; Ehlanzeni District Municipality; BLM; industry and producer responsibility organisations (PROs).
“We aim to change the way residents think about their waste. The PROs will work with local enterprises and the municipality to set up collection points and provide infrastructure (such as collection bins) for separate collection of e-waste to ensure ongoing sustainability of the project.
“The local enterprises will be responsible for servicing the collection points. This process will prevent toxic substances from leaching into the soil and water, protecting both our environment and our health,” Swarts said.
The Deputy Minister said this project is about more than just waste management -- it is about creating jobs and stimulating local economic development.
“Through this initiative, we are engaging more PROs to facilitate the increase of e-waste recycling. These organisations play a crucial role in managing the end-of-life phase of electronic products and are an important part of the national effort to promote a circular economy, where materials are reused and recycled rather than discarded.
“Through collaboration with these organisations, we can ensure that this project is sustainable and scalable, with the potential to expand across other regions in the future.
“The importance of this project cannot be overstated. Not only will it help BLM manage its e-waste problem more effectively, but it will also contribute to our country’s broader environmental goals,” she said.
South African cities face a challenge with landfill space in the country, whereby some are expected to run out in six years if drastic steps are not taken to significantly reduce the amount of waste generated and accelerate recycling efforts.
Census 2022 results indicate that only 20.6% of households in the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality (BLM) had their refuse removed at least once a week, with most households (72.1%) illegally dumping in open areas.
“As part of the National Waste Management Strategy 2020, South Africa has committed to reducing waste sent to landfills, increasing recycling rates, and promoting a circular economy.
“In the coming months, we will monitor the progress of this project to ensure that it meets its objectives. This includes tracking the volume of e-waste collected, the effectiveness of the community awareness campaigns, and the number of local jobs created through the project.
“Our goal is to ensure that this project becomes a success story and a model that can be replicated across other municipalities in Mpumalanga and beyond,” she said. - SAnews.gov.za
