This part will set out the main strategies and plans to address the generation (including the avoidance and minimisation of such generation), re-use, recycling, recovery, treatment, disposal, use, control and management of waste in order to achieve the objectives of the Act.
The strategy will address pertinent issues relating to the functioning of the waste information system, established as part of the NWMS Implementation Project including the provision of and access to information, measures to promote reporting, and recommendations regarding the information management and database governance requirements for such a system.
The NWMS will apply to all branches and organs of state when they perform a waste management activity, and therefore the NWMS represents a cross-cutting program.
The Act stipulates for integrated waste management plans to be established for all spheres of government: National, Provincial, and Municipal. Furthermore, one of the implications of integration is that they must be aligned with municipal Integrated Development Plans.
Furthermore, the NWMS needs to be aligned with other integrated strategies, such as those for managing hazardous waste, air pollution, and management of the water resource. This is to prevent duplication of functions and activities, and maximize the efficiency with which the state’s resources are used.
The NWMS establishes the hierarchy of waste management by requiring waste avoidance and reduction to be considered as the preferred option in terms of planning requirements.
An opportunity exists to build upon the existing recycling and extended producer responsibility initiatives, such as the taxation on plastic bags. The Act does provide the Minister with regulatory powers in this respect, but strategies based on negotiation in terms of industry waste management plans and fiscal incentives are likely to yield results.
Public awareness of, and participation in, re-use and recycling schemes will form an important part of re-use and recycling strategies.
Life-cycle measures such as recycling have significance in terms of economic growth and job creation. These will form important criteria in developing and assessing re-use and recycling measures, which in many instances involve treatment and processing measures.
All waste disposal becomes a regulated activity in terms of the Act. The practical implications, particularly in relation to provision of receptacles for litter disposal (and the resultant disposal of accumulated waste) in public areas by municipalities form an important norm and standard in respect of delivery of local waste services.
The NWMS will need to give effect to the regulatory functions assigned to the Minister for the remediation of contaminated lands in terms of the “polluter pays” principle. Furthermore, the requirement has been established for the inclusion of a contaminated lands registry in the national waste information management system.
Ultimately, for most citizens the NWMS will be judged by its success in terms of the delivery of waste services at the local level. In respect of strategies and targets, people receiving little or no waste services need to be prioritized. Provision is made for recovery of the costs of waste services by licensed service providers, but this is subservient to the constitutional requirement for the preservation of a healthy environment.