3.2 Categorisation and classification
3.2(1)
A comprehensive national system for classifying and categorising waste is required to ensure that common definitions of particular wastes are used in different information systems, and that there is a common understanding of the associated requirements and procedures for different wastes. Importantly, the categorisation system for waste will lay the basis for reporting on waste to the South African Waste Information System (SAWIS) and related systems. In terms of Section 7(1 ) of the Waste Act:
“7. (1) The Minister must, by notice in the Gazette, set national norms and standards for the … classification of waste;”
3.2(2)
The classification of waste will be addressed through the Waste Classification and Management System (WCMS) which is being developed by DEA. The WCMS will be formalised into regulations in terms of the Waste Act.
3.2(3)
The WCMS distinguishes between Classification and Categorisation of Waste in the following terms:
- Waste Classification is the process by which waste is assigned to one or more hazard classes based on its properties, characteristics, and components.
- Waste Categorisation defines waste in terms of a list of categories and sub-categories which is used to determine procedures for classification and is used for the purposes of monitoring and reporting.
3.2(4)
The Classification system used for waste will be aligned with the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), described in SANS 10234.
| 1. Physical Hazards | 2. Health Hazards |
|---|---|
| Explosives Flammable gases Flammable aerosols Oxidizing gases Gases under pressure Flammable liquids Flammable solids Self-reactive substances and mixtures Pyrophoric substances Self-heating substances and mixtures Substances and mixtures that, on contact with water, emit flammable gases Oxidizing substances and mixtures Organic peroxides Corrosive to metals |
Acute toxicity Skin corrosion and skin irritation Serious eye damage and eye irritation Respiratory sensitization and skin sensitization Germ cell mutagenicity Carcinogenicity Reproductive toxicity Specific target organ toxicity – single exposure Specific target organ toxicity – repeated exposure Aspiration hazards |
| 3. Hazards to the Aquatic Environment | |
| Acute aquatic toxicity Chronic aquatic toxicity |
3.2(5)
The following wastes do not need to go through the classification process and are considered pre-classified wastes:
- health care risk waste (HCRW);
- asbestos waste;
- waste tyres;
- electronic waste (eWaste);
- waste batteries;
- putrescible waste;
- municipal waste (including household hazardous waste); and
- inert waste.
3.2(6)
The WCMS will include a waste categorisation system, which will be used in the SAWIS for the purposes of reporting on waste management activities. It is envisaged that waste will be grouped under primary categories based on the major types of waste. The current proposed primary categories are provided below for the purposes of illustration.
| Waste Categories | |
|---|---|
| Gaseous waste (CFCs, Nitrogen, HCl-pressure bottles) Oxidizing waste (organic peroxides, strong oxidising compounds) Reactive waste (react with water to generate flammable or acidic gasses) Mercury waste, or mercury-containing waste (batteries, fluorescent lamps, thermometers) ‘Various’ waste (low volumes, e.g. small packaging, aerosol cans, medicine, iso-cyanates) Pesticides POPs Waste Inorganic chemical waste (acids, sodium hydroxide, metal salts) Asbestos Waste Oils Batteries Shredder waste Tarry Waste |
Halogenated solvents and compounds with sulphur Halogenated organic solids Solvents without halogens and sulphur Other organic hazardous waste Fly Ash & Bagfilter dust Bottom ash Slag Foundry sand Mineral waste (refractory waste) Reprocessed mining waste Polluted soil Health care risk waste WEEE: Waste of Electric and Electronic Equipment End-of-life vehicles Others/Miscellaneous |
3.2(7)
Once a waste has been classified as hazardous or general waste, the generator then needs to consider the management options that apply to that waste. These will determine whether the waste is suitable for reuse, recycling, recovery, treatment or whether it must be disposed of. Before disposing of waste the generator will need to consider landfill acceptance criteria. If the waste does not meet these criteria, the generator will need to consider other waste management options. When sending waste for the appropriate identified waste management option, the waste generator will be required to complete a waste manifest document so that the waste can be tracked from the generator to the waste management facility and back.
3.2(8)
DEA are developing a standard leach test that must be applied to any waste that has a land application e.g. in road building or agriculture. Leachate characteristics are crucial to determining appropriate management measures and defining acceptable use in these cases. These will be formalised through the South African Technical Infrastructure.
3.2(9)
In general, waste management measures must give effect to the waste hierarchy and promote diversion from landfill. To this end, the WCMS will be accompanied by a ‘Best Practice Technology Guideline’ to serve as a reference for waste generators and managers. This guideline will be supplemented by the additional norms and standards for the storage and handling of waste that are to be developed in terms of the Waste Act.
3.2(10)
The application of norms and standards through the Waste Management and Classification System is schematically described in Figure 6 on the following page.
3.2(11)
To promote the diversion of waste from landfill and reduce licensing burdens, the WCMS will include provisions for identifying waste streams to which general exemptions from licensing requirements would apply for specific waste activities across the entire value chain of the waste hierarchy, defined as “Acceptable Uses”. Acceptable use activities will be accompanied by the establishment of specific norms and standards for the specified waste activity, or, in the case of listed activities, specified requirements and standards that must be met as an alternative to licensing.
Figure 6: Application of norms and standards through the Waste Management and Categorisation System
