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2.4 Waste Flows and Strategic Challenges

Submitted by admin on Thu, 2009-10-01 12:59

Reliable data quantifying the different waste streams is not readily available, which severely limits government and industry’s ability to devise responsive measures to waste management challenges. This highlights the importance of establishing a functioning waste information system to which all stakeholders have access.

The NWMS research has compiled available waste information for the main producer categories of waste, and Table 1.1 below summarises the estimated quantities generated per annum for the key categories and types of waste, as well as highlights some of the strategic challenges for each category.

Category/Type Quantity Strategic Challenges
Table 1.1 Key waste categories, estimated quantities and strategic challenges
Domestic and Commercial General Waste 24.1 million tons
  • Waste minimization is not incentivised
  • A high percentage of landfills are unlicensed
  • Inadequate managerial and financial capacity
  • Need to boost recycling as a waste reduction mechanism
Industrial and Mining Hazardous Waste
 710,000 tons
  • The classification system needs to be reviewed
  • Shortage of hazardous waste disposal facilities
  • Cleaner production needs greater emphasis
Construction and Demolition Waste 5-8 million tons
  • Separation of waste into recyclable components (e.g. timber)
  • Trace amounts of hazardous waste disposed of in general landfills
  • Large amount of illegal dumping
 Mining Waste
 510 million tons (approx)
  • Accurate quantification of waste is difficult
  • Categoridation of waste is critical (e.g. slag in relation to the Waste Act)
  • Limited application and enforcement of environmental legislation
Health Care Risk Waste
  42,200 tons
  • Lack of uniform standards
  • Lack of awareness of risks
  • Shortage of disposal facilities
Agricultural Waste - stockpiled obsolete pesticides
 750 tons (approx)
  • Review of classification system is needed
  • Guidelines for treatment, destruction and disposal are needed
Power Station Waste - ash
 34 million tons
  •  Extremely low recycling rate (6%)
  • Use in brick-making and cement needs to be extended
 Tyres 17,500 tons new tyres (approx) per annum
  • Lack of compliance with emmission standards
  • Effective regulation is required
 eWaste Approx 136, 000 tons of electronic/IT products distributed annually
  • Lack of accurate quantification of waste stream and recycling
  • Unregulated informal recycling
  • Hazardous components incorrectly disposed of
  • Signficant business opportunities for refurbishment and recycling
 Batteries 2,500 tons
  • Promotion of rechargeable batteries is required
Fluorescent lamps containing mercury
  137 million units
  • Possible increase in waste stream due to electricity crisis
 Lubricating Oil
 270 million litres new oil sold annually
  • Improving collection rate for used oil (currently 40 - 45%)
  • Illegal dumping and induscriminate use as an industrial fuel

 The NWMS needs to put forward an integrated strategy and set of mechanisms for responding to these challenges. At the same time the NWMS must respond to the broader socio-economic and demographic factors highlighted above, while meeting international and domestic legislative requirements shaping the current policy process. Environmental measures devised through the NWMS process must provide appropriate and responsive solutions to the issues raised.

Comments

Tyre Volumes

Submitted by Egmont Ottermann on Wed, 2009-10-21 10:27.

The estimate of tyre waste generation is not in alignment with those of the SATRP. Please contact Ettienne Human, CEO of the SATRP at 011 791 1449 for the correct information