South African Waste Snapshot

www.urbanearth.co.za

January 2013

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Contents

Introduction 1Urban Earth 1Sponsor: greenABLE 2Key Waste Estimates for South Africa 2011 3Reduce, Reuse, Recycle 4Total Waste in South Africa 6General Waste Generated 7General Waste Recycling Rates 8Hazardous Waste Generated 9Hazardous Waste Recycling Rates 10Unclassified Waste Generated 11Unclassified Waste Recycling Rates 12South African Paper Consumption 13Paper Recycling in South Africa 14Plastic Recycling in South Africa 15PET Recycling in South Africa 16Glass Recycling in South Africa 17Beverage Can Recycling in South Africa 18Food Waste Generated in South Africa 19Useful Links 20References 21

1

Introduction

The Urban Earth South African Waste Snapshot collates recent information on waste in South Africa in an easy to under-stand way. Information for this Snapshot has been compiled using data from the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) and various non-profit recycling organisations in South Africa.

At the moment there is a paucity of waste figures in South Africa but this is set to change later in 2013 as the DEA is planning to start recording information on waste in a more rigorous way to align with the National Waste Information Regulations in the National Environmental Management Waste Act (Act 59 of 2008) (RSA, 2009). The Department of Environmental Affairs has also compiled a National Waste Management Strategy (DEA, 2011) to help to achieve the objectives of the Waste Act. A National Waste Information Baseline Report (DEA, 2012) has been compiled for the 2011 year that will assist with future comparisons and monitor the implementation of the Waste Act. Recycling rates of selected recyclables in South Africa such as paper, plastic and cans have been well recorded in the last few years by non-profit organisations and these figures have been included in this Snapshot. At this stage recycling rates for printer cartridge waste, e-waste and scrap metal recycling rates are not available.

Urban Earth is an environmental consultancy that helps to build sustainability in organisations. We undertake sustainability research and reporting in a range of areas and host the Urban Earth sustainability portal at www.urbanearth.co.za which features news and reference articles on carbon, energy and sustainability issues. In addition to full-length reports we package and communicate information on sustainability in an accessible and easy to understand format.

Urban Earth

2

greenABLE, based in Durban, is the first facility in Africa that recycles printer cartridges. The non-profit organisation provides a way for printer cartridge manufacturers, and institutions that use printer cartridges, to responsibly dispose of their end of life cartridges so that they do not harm the environment.

greenABLE employs previously disadvantaged people with disabilities, that do not have work experience, to manually clean, dismantle and sort the cartridges into their recyclable components. The recyclable components are then sold on to recyclers. The recovered plastic is currently sold to a KwaZulu-Natal based company that uses the plastic to produce roof tiles and man-hole covers.

One of the aims of greenABLE is to serve as an incubator by helping their staff to gain work experience and improve their qualifications and skills so that they can advance their careers.

Organisations that are interested in sending their used printer cartridges to greenABLE or recyclers that are looking for plastic that is an ABS / HIPS mix should contact Carla Higgs at carla@greenoffice.co.za.

greenABLE employs previously disadvantaged persons with disabilities to recover plastic and metal from printer cartridge waste for recycling.

greenABLE provides training, work experience and education to their staff.

3

Key Waste Estimates For South Africa 2011

108 million tonnes - Total waste generated

98 million tonnes- Waste landfilled

59 million tonnes- General waste

48 million tonnes – Unclassified waste

1 million tonnes - Hazardous waste

10% - approximate percentage of total waste that is recycled

Source: DEA (2012) (National Waste Information Baseline Report)

4

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Reduction of waste in South AfricaReduction of waste is the most desirable option when it comes to waste management and involves decreasing the amount of waste produced thereby reducing the amount entering the waste stream. Although potential measures to reduce waste are stipulated in the National Waste Management Strategy (DEA, 2011) not many measures have yet been implemented that promote the minimisation and reduction of waste in South Africa.

One example of a reduction strategy that has been implemented is the South African plastic bag levy that places a levy on individual plastic shopping bags. The levy on the bags acts to encourage consumers to use more durable shopping bags or reuse plastics bags and results in a reduction in the amount of bags produced. As a result of the levy, consumed plastic bags are now also made of a higher grade of plastic so they can be used multiple times.

Reuse in South AfricaReuse involves using a product again for the same or alternative purpose rather than purchasing a new product. Measures to promote reuse have been highlighted in the National Waste Management Strategy (DEA, 2011) but at this stage none have been enforced nationally.

An example of reuse of waste in South Africa at a large scale is the glass returnable deposit system. A deposit is charged when a consumer purchases beverages in glass bottles that are returnable. This deposit is refunded when the consumer returns the bottle back to the retail outlet. Retail outlets then send the bottles back to the original supplier and they are cleaned and reused. Returnable glass bottles can be reused at least 21 times before they have to be sent for recycling and it is estimated this system prevents approximately two million tonnes of new glass from being produced every year in South Africa (Jhetam, 2012).

5

Recycling in South AfricaThis management option involves extracting the valuable material from a waste item and processing this into a new product. Efforts towards implementing the Waste Hierarchy in South Africa are largely around the recycling of waste.

In recent years, some municipalities in South Africa have introduced domestic waste separation at source initiatives through the implementation of different bags for the collection of selected recyclables. Material recovery facilities and buy-back centres have also been established by both the public and private sectors. In addition there are a number of organisations in South Africa that have been established to specifically promote recycling of different categories of waste. Many of these non-profit organisations have successfully increased the rates of recycling for their target material through education, awareness creation and investment in infrastructure. There has also been a focus on creating markets for recyclable materials so that recycling rates are further increased.

6

Total Waste in South Africa

In 2011, South Africa generated approximately 108 million tonnes of waste. Of this, 55% was ‘general waste’, 44% was ‘unclassified waste’ and 1% ‘hazardous waste’. The National Environmental Management Waste Act (Act 59 of 2008) (RSA, 2009) provides the following definitions of the different types of waste: General Waste: “waste that does not pose an immediate hazard or threat to health or the environment, and includes domestic waste, building and demolition waste, business waste; and inert waste”.Hazardous Waste: “waste that contains organic or inorganic elements or com-pounds that may, owing to the inherent physical, chemical or toxicological characteristics of that waste, have a detrimental impact on health and the environment”. Unclassified Waste: Refers to waste streams that are listed both under general and hazardous waste in the Waste Information Regulations. These waste streams are typically generated in high volumes but are believed to pose relatively low hazard to the environment and human health (Department of Water Affairs & Forestry, 1998). To improve the classification of waste in South Africa a more comprehensive system of classification is being developed in the form of the draft Waste Classification Regulations in terms of the National Environmental Waste Management Act (DEA, 2009). As a result a number of waste categories that were previously considered to be unclassified waste will be monitored and classified as either general or hazardous from 2012 onwards. Since the DEA baseline report predates this development a consid-erable amount of waste is still noted as unclassified.

Source: DEA.(2012). National Waste Information Baseline Report.

HazardousWaste

UnclassifiedWaste

General Waste

General Waste Generated

Other (Mostly biomass waste from industry)

Recyclable waste

Organic waste

Milli

on to

nnes

of w

aste

40

35

25

20

15

10

5

0Construction &

demolition wasteNon-

recyclable municipal

waste

7Source: DEA. (2012). National Waste Information Baseline Report.

According to a draft of the National Waste Information Baseline Report (DEA, 2012), South Africa generated 59 million tonnes of general waste in the 2011 year. The highest source of waste is from the “other” category, attributed mostly to biomass waste from industry. This accounts for over 36 million tonnes or 61% of the total general waste. The next highest categories were non-recyclable general municipal waste at 8 million tonnes and recyclable waste at 7.4 million tonnes (this category includes plastic, paper, glass, metal and tyres). 4.7 million tonnes of construction and demolition waste, and over 3 million tonnes of organic waste was generated in 2011. Waste in the commercial and industrial waste category has been excluded from the total amount of general waste generated to avoid double counting in the baseline report (DEA, 2012).

General Waste Recycling Rates

8

Over 59 million tonnes of general waste is estimated to have been generated in South Africa for the 2011 year. Of this waste, approximately 10% was recycled and the remaining 90% disposed at landfill. The table below, taken from the National Waste Information Baseline Report (DEA, 2012), notes that the highest rate of recycling is achieved by the metals sector (80%), followed by paper (57%), organic waste (35%), and, glass (32%). The rate of recycling of tyres stood at 4% for the 2011 year. This is set to change with the approval of the REDISA Integrated Industry Waste Tyre Management Plan that will impose a tyre levy on all new manufactured and imported tyres.

General Waste Generated Recycled Landfilled Recycled

Tonnes %

Non-recyclable municipal waste

Organic waste

8,062,934

3,023,600

8,062,934 0

1,058,260 1,965,340 35

-

Construction & demolition waste

Paper

4,725,542

1,734,411

3,969,455 16

988,614 745,797 57

756,087

Plastic

Glass

1,308,637

959,816

1,073,082 18

307,141 652,675 32

235,555

Metals

Tyres

3,121,203

246,631

624,241 80

9,865 236,766 4

2,496,962

Other (mostly biomass waste from industry)

Total general waste

36,171,127

59,353,901

36,171,127 0

5,852,484 53,501,417 10

-

Source: DEA. (2012). National Waste Information Baseline Report.

Hazardous Waste Generated

Tonn

es o

f was

te

400,000

300,000

200,000

100,000

0Miscellaneous Inorganic

waste

9Source: DEA. (2012). National Waste Information Baseline Report.

A total of 1,319,096 tonnes of hazardous waste was generated in South Africa in the 2011 year according to the National Waste Information Baseline Report (DEA,2012). The highest hazardous waste source in South Africa is from miscellaneous sources (327,250 tonnes), followed by inorganic waste at 290,154 tonnes, and Tarry & Bituminous waste at 255,832 tonnes.

Tarry & Bituminous

waste

Other organic waste

without halogen or

sulphur

Waste oils Health care risk waste

Other

Hazardous Waste Recycling Rates

10

The table below shows the amount of hazardous waste by category that was generated, recycled, treated and landfilled in 2011, sourced from the National Waste Information Baseline Report (2012). A total of 1,3million tonnes of hazardous waste was generated in South Africa in 2011. Almost 1.2 million tonnes of hazardous waste was sent to landfill and only around 6% was recycled. The highest recycling rates were achieved in the batteries (98%) and waste oils (44%) categories.

Source: DEA. (2012). National Waste Information Baseline Report.

Hazardous wasteRecycled Treated Landfilled Recycled

Tonnes %Gaseous wasteMercury containing waste

55868

55 -- - --

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP) WasteInorganic waste

486290,154

80 -- - --

Asbestos containing wasteWaste Oils

33,269120,000

- -52,800 - 44

-

Organic halogenated &/or sulphur containing solvents 1118,389

- -- 64 --

Organic halogenated &/or sulphur containing waste771 - --

Generated

-868

406290,15433,26967,200

1118,325771Organic solvents without halogens & sulphur

Batteries 32,912 32,254 - 98658

Other organic waste without halogen or sulphurTarry & Bituminous waste

202,708255,832

- -- - --

Health Care Risk waste 46,291327,250

46,291 -- - --

Miscellaneous1,319,096 46,490 ~685,054

202,708255,832

-327,250

1,187,552Total Hazardous Waste

Unclassified Waste Generated

Milli

on to

nnes

of w

aste

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0Fly ash & dust Brine OtherSlagBottom ash

11Source: DEA. (2012). National Waste Information Baseline Report.

The National Waste Information Baseline Report (DEA, 2012) reports that 48 million tonnes of unclassified waste was generated in 2011. In the unclassified waste category, the highest contributor in South Africa is from fly ash and dust from miscellaneous filter sources, at 31 million tonnes. The second highest waste source is bottom ash which contributed 5.7 million tonnes of waste. Fly ash and dust, and bottom ash are produced mainly during the combustion process in coal fired power stations. When coal is combusted, some of the ash falls to the bottom of the boiler and is known as bottom ash. The majority of the ash, however, is fly ash which refers to finer particles that rise with the gases that are released when coal is combusted. Slag, a by-product of metal smelting, contributed 5.4 million tonnes in this category, and brine (water containing salts after industrial effluent treatment) generated 4.2 million tonnes of salt that was released to the environment in 2011.

12

Unclassified Waste Recycling Rates

The table below, taken from the National Waste Information Baseline Report (DEA, 2012), shows the amount of unclassified waste by category that was generated, recycled, treated and landfilled in the 2011 year. Out of a total of 47.8 million tonnes of unclassified waste that was generated, 43 million tonnes are sent to landfill and less than 10% is recycled.

The highest recycling rates were achieved in the slag (50%) and sewage sludge (19%) categories. The National Waste Information Baseline Report (DEA, 2012) notes that there is significant potential for recycling fly ash, and slag in the cement and construction industry which could help to decrease the large quantities that are landfilled.

Unclassified wasteRecycled Treated Landfilled Recycled

Tonnes %

Brine

Fly ash & dust from miscellaneous filter sources

4,166,129

31,420,488

- -

1,885,229 - 6

-

Bottom ash

Slag

5,717,324

5,370,968

- -

2,685,484 - 50

-

Mineral waste

Waste of Electric & Electronic Equipment (WEEE)

369,000

64,045

- -

6,884 - 11

-

Sewage sludge 673,360

47,781,314

42,624 19

4,707,757 46,624 ~10

130,160

Total Unclassified Waste

Generated

4,166,129

29,535,259

5,717,324

2,685,484

369,000

57,161

500,508

43,030,865

Source: DEA. (2012). National Waste Information Baseline Report.

South African Paper Consumption

13

According to the Paper Recycling Association of South Africa’s (PRASA) paper statistics, over 2.4 million tonnes of paper was used in South Africa in 2011. 75% was recoverable paper, 17% was paper unsuitable for recovery (this category includes tissue paper, wax paper and bank notes), and 8% was paper and cardboard exported in agricultural products. The graph above shows a decrease in paper consumption in 2009 but a recovery to previous rates of consumption in 2011. Following worldwide trends, South Africa has seen a decrease in the consumption of office paper. On the other hand South Africa has seen an increase in the consumption of non-recyclable tissue paper as more people are now able to afford these convenience products (Bothma, 2012).

Source: PRASA (2012)

2008 2011

3

2.5

2

1.5

1

0.5

020102009

Milli

on to

nnes

of P

aper

Unsuitable for recovery

Exported in agricultural products

Recoverable

Paper Recycling in South Africa

14Source: PRASA (2012)

59% of recoverable paper and cardboard was recycled in South Africa in 2011, according to the Paper Recycling Association of South Africa (PRASA). Recoverable paper and cardboard excludes paper that is not recyclable such as tissue paper, wax paper and bank notes among others; and, cardboard exported in the agricultural sector. The graph shows that recycling rates have remained steady over the last four years. PRASA is targeting a recycling rate of 63% by 2017 (Henneberry, 2012).

2008 2011

2

1.8

1.6

1.4

1.2

1

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

020102009

Milli

on to

nnes

of P

aper Recycled

Not recycled

58.6% 59%58%

57.5%

Plastic Recycling in South Africa

15

2009

1,400,000

1,200,000

1,000,000

800,000

600,000

400,000

200,000

020112010

Tonn

es o

f Pla

stic

Recycled

Not recycled

17.8% 18.9%18.4%

Source: Plastics SA (2012)

According to the Plastics SA Plastics Recycling Survey for 2011 South Africa currently recycles 18.9% of virgin plastics produced which has increased from 17.8% in 2009. The amount of plastic recycled in South Africa increased from 241,853 tonnes in 2010 to 245,696 tonnes in 2011. Virgin consumption in South Africa decreased by 1% from 1,312,700 tonnes in 2010 to 1,300,000 tonnes in 2011.

PET Recycling in South Africa

16

2008 2009

Tonn

es o

f PET

120,000

100,000

80,000

60,000

40,000

20,000

020072006 2010 2011

16%

28%

32%

24%21%

38%42%

Recycled

Not recycled

Beverage PET recycling has increased from 16% in 2005 to 42% in 2011 as shown in the graph above, according to the PET Recycling Company (PETCO, 2012). The consumption of beverage PET has seen a steady increase from 2005 and in 2011 just over 100,000 tonnes were consumed. In total 42,651 tonnes of beverage PET were collected and recycled in 2011. A voluntary levy has been set up by PETCO on all PET resin purchased in the industry placing a value on PET products. The levy is also used to support the PET recycling sector in periods of low economic growth (Scholtz, 2012). PET is short for Polyethylene Terephthalate, a type of plastic (with a plastic identification code number 1) that is used most commonly in the beverage industry and is made from ethylene glycol and purified terephthalic acid which are crude oil derivatives.

Source: PETCO (2012)

2005

Glass Recycling in South Africa

17

Tonn

es o

f Gla

ss

1,000,000

900,000

800,000

700,000

600,000

500,000

400,000

300,000

200,000

100,000

0‘05/’06

18%

‘08/’09

26%

‘09/’10

35%

‘07/’08

24%

‘06/’07

21%

‘10/’11

40%

Recycled

Not recycled

The recycling rate of glass packaging in South Africa has improved from 18% in 2005/6 to 40% in 2010/11. For the 2010/11 period 338,265 tonnes, of a total of 845,663 tonnes of glass packaging consumed in South Africa was recycled (The Glass Recycling Company, 2010/11). A sophisticated glass returnable system prevents approximately two million tonnes of new glass from being produced every year, which could potentially end up in landfills. Returnable glass bottles can be reused at least 21 times before they have to be sent for recycling (Jhetam, 2012).

Source: The Glass Recycling Company Annual Review 2010/11

Beverage Can Recycling in South Africa

Since 1993 the recovery rate of beverage cans in Southern Africa has improved from 18% in 1993 to 72% in 2011 as can be seen in the graph above. Recycling figures are regional since Collect-a-Can recovers beverage cans across five countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, and Mozambique (Masoka, 2012).

Source: Collect-a-Can (2012)

18

% R

ecov

ered

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

19951996

19971998

19992000

20012002

20032004

20052006

20072008

20092010

2011

1993/94

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Food Waste Generated in South Africa

Post harvest handling & storage26%

Processing &packaging

27%

Source: Oelofse (2012)

Approximately 9 million tonnes of food waste is generated every year in South Africa, of which 4% is generated by consumers (Oelofse, 2012). An approx-imate breakdown of sources of food waste in South Africa is shown in the graph on the left. When food waste is landf i l l ed the organ ic component decomposes and releases methane, a greenhouse gas, and leachate that has the potential to contaminate ground water. Furthermore, food waste is of concern in South Africa where levels of food insecurity are high. FoodBank SA helps to reduce food waste by providing a platform through which food nearing expiry can be donated to those in need (Kajee, 2012).

Agricultural production26%

Distribution17%

Consumers4%

Government Departments and Resources

The Department of Environmental Affairs

South African Waste Information System (SAWIS)

Recycling Organisations in South Africa

PET Plastic Recycling Company of South Africa (PETCO)

Collect-a-Can

The Glass Recycling Company

South African Plastics Recycling Organisation

Paper Recycling Association of South Africa (PRASA)

E-waste Association of South Africa (eWASA)

Metal Recyclers Association of South Africa (MRA)

The Recycling Oil Saves the Environment (ROSE) Foundation

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Useful Links

Collect-a-Can (2012). Southern Africa: Used Beverage Can Recovery Rate 1993 to 2011, webpage. Department of Environmental Affairs (2011). National Waste Management Strategy.Department of Environmental Affairs (2012). National Waste Information Baseline Report. Department of Environmental Affairs, Pretoria, South Africa. Department of Water Affairs & Forestry (1998). Waste Management Series. Minimum Requirements for the Handling, Classification and Disposal of Hazardous Waste, PretoriaPETCO (2012). 2011 Review of PETCO activities.Plastics SA (2012). Plastics SA Annual Report, The Journey Continues, 2011/2012.PRASA (2012). South African Paper Recycling Facts 2011, webpage.RSA (2009). National Environmental Management Waste Act (Act 59 of 2008).The Glass Recycling Company (2010/11). The Glass Recycling Company Annual Review 2010/11.

Personal communications Bothma, M. (2012). Telephonic interview. Statistician for the Paper Recycling Association of South Africa.Henneberry, U. (2012). Telephonic interview. Operations Director at the Paper Recycling Association of South Africa.Jhetam, S. (2012). Telephonic interview. CEO for The Glass Recycling Company. Kajee, M. (2012). Telephonic interview. Managing Director of Foodbank South AfricaMasoka, G. (2012). Telephonic interview. Operations Manager for Collect-a-Can. Oelofse, S. (2012). Telephonic interview. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

Scholtz, C. (2012). Telephonic interview. CEO for the PET Recycling Company (PETCO).

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References