3.7 Priority wastes

The declaration of a priority waste is a regulatory measure in terms of the Waste Act that applies to wastes that pose a serious threat to health and the environment. The consequent waste management measures can severely limit or prohibit the generation of the waste. Such a declaration may also require detailed registration and reporting on the waste, limit its import and export, and ultimately culminate in a waste being phased out completely. The criteria for declaring a priority waste will therefore be considered very carefully prior to declaration.