4.3 Waste Information System

The lack of reliable data on the waste sector highlights the importance of the South African Waste Information System (SAWIS) as a key instrument for implementing the Waste Act and NWMS. SAWIS is intended to provide a mechanism for obtaining accurate waste balance information through on line submission of data by waste facilities and companies, as well as vertical integration of information systems between national and provincial Waste Information Systems (WISs), and horizontal integration with other waste regulation and information systems.

The SAWIS is currently in the first phase of rollout, and is grappling with the challenges of integration with provincial WISs, such as the Western Cape WIS. The goal is for data to update automatically and seamlessly from provincial WISs to the SAWIS. On a practical level, the NWMS will develop a comprehensive set of fields required for national planning for inclusion in the provincial WISs.

Horizontal integration of SAWIS with other waste regulation and information systems is required for licensing procedures (which are captured on the National Environmental Authorisation System (NEAS)). An integrated procedure for licensing and registration on NEAS is desirable, but this does not exempt licensees from registration with SAWIS. Facilities that fail to meet licensing requirements, or are granted exemption from licensing requirements, will still be required to register with SAWIS.

As a key element of such integration, a standard categorisation system is required for waste information submitted to SAWIS, NEAS and other systems. The categorisation system currently used by SAWIS is rudimentary, and an interim measure. It is envisaged that the categorisation system for SAWIS will be informed by the national classification system, which is scheduled to be finalised by the end of 2010.

The development and maintenance of the required categorisation system is seen as an integral part of the NWMS. As categorisation systems change, data needs to be updated on the SAWIS database in order to clear the old categorisation system

The initial focus of SAWIS is on end-of-pipe waste data i.e. data from facilities associated with waste disposal, recycling, recovery, and import and export of waste. In relation to thresholds for requiring recycling activity to be recorded, it is recommended that the thresholds gazetted for listed activities be used. Data on waste generators is only anticipated to be included in SAWIS in phase 4. To fully implement all the requirements of the Waste Act, SAWIS is envisaged to ultimately perform waste tracking and compliance reporting functionalities.

It is recommended that the National Waste Management Officer play the role of the Waste Information Authority as required by the Waste Act. In terms of the integrity of information on the SAWIS, it is proposed that SANAS accredited bodies certify WIS submissions by industry. Access by the public and industry to information stored on SAWIS is considered vital and is the quid pro quo for industry submitting information onto the database. It is also a statutory requirement in terms of the Waste Act. The NWMS will therefore need to spell out conditions and procedures for access to information.