| DCOG | Department of Cooperative Governance |
| DEA | Department of Environmental Affairs |
| DTI | Department of Trade and Industry |
| DMR | Department of Mineral Resources |
| DWA | Department of Water Affairs |
| ECA | Environment Conservation Act |
| EIA | Environmental Impact Assessment |
| EMI | Environmental Management Inspector |
| EMPR | Environmental Management Programme |
| EPR | Extended Producer Responsibility |
| IDP | Integrated Development Plan |
| IndWMP | Industry Waste Management Plan |
| ITAC | International Trade Agreement Commission |
| IWMP | Integrated Waste Management Plan |
| MEA | Multilateral Environmental Agreement |
| MEC | Member of Executive Council |
| NEAS | National Environmental Authorisation System |
| NEMA | National Environmental Management Act |
| NGO | Non-Governmental Organisation |
| NWMS | National Waste Management Strategy |
| POP | Persistent Organic Pollutant |
| PPP | Public Private Partnership |
| SABS | South African Bureau of Standards |
| SADC | Southern African Development Community |
| SANAS | South African National Accreditation System |
| SANS | South African National Standards |
| SARS | South African Revenue Service |
| SAWIS | South African Waste Information System |
| SMME | Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise |
| WCMS | Waste Classification and Management System |
| WEEE | Waste of Electric and Electronic Equipment |
| WIS | Waste Information System |
| WMO | Waste Management Officer |