South Africa has demonstrated its commitment to reducing landfill waste, increasing recycling rates, and promoting a circular economy with the launch of two new E-Waste Recycling pilot projects in Mpumalanga.
According to Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Bernice Swarts, the improper disposal old electronic devices is a concern, as these devices contain harmful materials, such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, which can have devastating effects on the environment and public health if not properly managed.
In response to this challenge, government has launched two E-Waste Recycling pilot projects in Mpumalanga that will enable residents to bring their old and unused electronic waste, such as cell phones, computers, televisions, and other electrical appliances.
“In South Africa, we generate over 360,000 tons of e-waste annually, and unfortunately, only a small fraction of 10% of this is properly recycled. The rest ends up in landfills, or worse, is illegally dumped, posing serious risks to our ecosystems,” Swarts said.
On Friday, the Deputy Minister launched the first E-Waste Recycling pilot project in Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, and on Saturday, the same project was launched in Schoemansdal, Nkomazi Local Municipality.
“As we all know, the municipality faces challenges with waste management, and (e-waste) is one of the most problematic. 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.
“Today’s launch of the E-Waste Recycling Project is our response to this growing crisis. The goal of this project is to test and implement a sustainable system for recycling e-waste in Nkomazi,” the Deputy Minister said.
This initiative was launched in partnership with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs, Ehlanzeni District Municipality, Nkomazi Local Municipality, Industry and the Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs).
“Through this collaboration, we aim to not only manage and dispose of e-waste responsibly but also raise awareness among communities about the importance of recycling and the dangers of improper e-waste disposal.
“The wheelie bins provided by the Producer Responsibility Organisation (eWASA) to the Nkomazi Local Municipality will be placed at designated sites, which will be determined by the Nkomazi Local Municipality and communicated widely to the community,” she said.
These bins will serve as dedicated receptacles for collecting e-waste, ensuring that it is separated from general household waste and directed to specialized recycling channels.
E-Waste collection enterprises that are based in Nkomazi will be charged with the responsibility of servicing these designated sites through collecting the e-Waste.
The enterprises will be led by Previously Disadvantaged Individuals and with a particular demonstration of transformation and inclusivity.
“The collection and recycling of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) will prevent toxic substances from leaching into the soil and water, protecting both our environment and our health.
“One of the key aspects of the Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations is the legal requirement for Producer Responsibility Organisations to provide a service fee for waste collection by the informal waste sector, waste pickers,” Swarts said.
This service fee is over and above the money that waste pickers get for “selling” the waste.
“Furthermore, 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 Producer Responsibility Organisations (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 Nkomazi manage its e-waste problem more effectively, but it will also contribute to our country’s broader environmental goals,” the Deputy Minister said.
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.
“The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, which place responsibility for end-of-life products on producers, are key to this vision. By encouraging industry involvement in waste management, we are ensuring that those who create waste are also part of the solution.
“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,” the Deputy Minister said. -SANews.gov.za
