2.3 Waste avoidance and reduction

Figure 4: Waste Hierarchy, NWMS 2010

2.3(1)
Waste avoidance and reduction is the foundation of the waste hierarchy and is the preferred choice for waste management measures. The aim of waste avoidance and reduction is to achieve waste minimization and therefore reduce the amount of waste entering the waste stream. This is especially pertinent for some waste streams where the recycling, recovery, treatment or disposal of the waste is problematic.

2.3(2)
While waste minimisation is difficult to quantify, available figures indicate that waste generation per capita and per GDP (as a proxy for waste minimisation) are on the increase. There is limited uptake of waste avoidance and reduction measures, and limited statistical information on waste streams and reduction measures, including reduction measures during the production stage. For industries which do not have baseline statistics, setting targets for waste reduction measures may be challenging.

2.3(3)
Waste minimisation occurs largely as a result of competitive pressures and economic incentives, and through producer responsibility initiatives implemented by industry on a voluntary basis. Government initiatives in this area have met with varying levels of success. Perhaps the most notable of the national government initiatives in respect to waste minimization has been the plastic bag levy initiative. This is the first instance of a tax instrument being used to effect change in behaviour at both consumer and industry level. This initiative aims to reduce the number of plastic bags being disposed of, limit their utilization and increase their re-usability and value.

2.3(4)
Incorporating waste reduction principles into the design and packaging of products at the point of manufacture is more efficient than focussing on post-consumption responses. The focus for industry in terms of waste reduction needs to be on innovative design, and weight and size reduction, to reduce waste as well as lower transportation costs.

2.3(5)
The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) plays a primary role in relation to waste avoidance and reduction through focusing on cleaner production and technology. The draft Cleaner Production Strategy (2004) is an important policy framework of the dti, which has overseen the establishment of the National Cleaner Production Centre. This centre has undertaken a number of demonstration projects, which aim to investigate the viability of various initiatives and mechanisms.

2.3(6)
Whilst cleaner production and product design are governed by the dti, the Waste Act contains a provision for DEA to request, in consultation with the Minister of Trade and Industry, that the producer provide for the reduction of products or components, or that the products or components contain a minimum percentage of recyclate content. A coordinated approach between DEA and the dti will be followed in implementing these provisions. A balance will be found between encouraging design and packaging changes at the point of manufacture, whilst maintaining the momentum of current post-consumer initiatives.

2.3(7)
Industry Waste Management Plans will include targets and measures for waste minimisation and recycling, and will set out performance monitoring systems for measuring progress against targets.

2.3(8)
DEA will investigate the feasibility of setting norms and standards for waste minimisation. The Waste Act includes a discretionary provision for national norms and standards relating to waste minimisation. There are currently no norms and standards for waste reduction at either an industry or municipal level. An investigation will be conducted by DEA, in consultation with the dti and industry, regarding product design, packaging and content, and other related measures to minimize waste generation.

2.3(9)
The current pricing of waste disposal will be reviewed in order to build in incentives for waste minimisation by consumers. Historically municipalities have undercharged for waste services, and in terms of costing options, only one option, or fixed cost, has been made available to households. Since waste disposal charges are set at a fixed rate, there is no financial incentive for disposers to recycle and reduce waste generated. As a first step, full cost accounting is required to properly understand the cost of waste services provision. On the basis of a proper understanding of the costs, cost reflective tariffs must be charged to consumers across all municipalities. Over the longer term, volumetric charging should be implemented by all municipalities, as the requisite levels of administrative and financial capacity are built. Further economic instruments to promote waste minimisation will be considered by government once the pricing of waste services and disposal has been addressed.

2.3(10)
The importance of waste minimization and ways in which industry, households and consumers can contribute to this will be included within an overarching public awareness campaign for waste to be coordinated by DEA. 

2.3(11)
Through the implementation of the above mentioned actions, both DEA and industry can achieve waste minimization. Setting standards, altering product design, providing incentives and disincentives, and motivating the public will result in higher levels of waste minimization throughout the lifecycle of waste.