DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM
DEPARTEMENT VAN OMGEWINGSAKE EN TOERISME
Ref: 02/1/5/2
MINISTER
QUESTION NO. 439 FOR WRITTEN REPLY: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
A draft reply to Mr L.S. Ngonyama (COPE) to the above-mentioned question is enclosed for your
consideration.
Ms Nosipho Ngcaba
DIRECTOR-GENERAL
DATE:
APPROVED/AMENDED
MINISTER
DATE:
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION439
NW500E
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
(For written reply)
QUESTION NO. 439
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 6 of 2009
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 10 July 2009
Mr L.S. Ngonyama (COPE) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
Whether the Government will promote the recycling of (a) water, (b) paper, (c) metal, (d) plastic, (e)
biodegradable materials and (f) other consumables in order to create jobs, sustainable development and a
more viable environment; if not, why not; if so, (i) when and (ii) how will this be done?
NW500E
MR L.S. NGONYAMA (COPE)
SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT
HANSARD
PAPERS OFFICE
PRESS
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION439
NW500E
439.
THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:
(a-f)
The National Environmental Management: Waste Act which came into effect as from the 1 st July
2009, sets key objectives which include the reducing, re-using, recycling and recovering of waste
and securing ecologically sustainable development while promoting justifiable economic and social
development.
Government has therefore clearly demonstrated its commitment to ensure that various waste
streams including paper, metal, plastics and biodegradable materials are recycled and that
sustainable jobs are created through this emerging recycling sector.
Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) is now working with Local Municipalities and industry to
implement recycling initiatives throughout the country. Local Municipalities are required to submit
an Integrated Waste Management plan which will identify the manner in which they plan to meet
the objectives of the act which include recycling objectives. The Paper and Packaging industry
which represents manufacturers of paper, metal and plastics has been identified as a sector
required to submit an Industry Waste Management plan which will identify the mechanisms to be
put in place to allow for separate collection of packaging and paper waste from households, the
mechanisms to ensure financially sustainability of the plan and the mechanisms for including the
informal sector into the activities.
(i)
The Paper and Packaging sector intend to support recycling at source as part of their producer
responsibility. Collecting recyclables from source i.e. households has the potential to create a
significant number of sustainable jobs. A pilot project collecting separated recycles at source
which has been running for approximately 2 years has created 43 jobs collecting and sorting
separated recyclables for 25 000 households within the pilot area.
(ii)
It is anticipated that the Municipal Waste Management Plans will set out how over time,
households will be encouraged to separate recyclables from their household waste streams. The
separated recyclables will be collected and then sorted at large scale sorting facilities, from where
the sorted recyclables will be bailed and sold to recyclers for use in further production.
In areas where curbside collection of recyclables is not possible alternative methods of
encouraging recycling will be considered which could include the setting up of buy back centers
where residents could be paid for recyclables that they deliver.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION439
NW500E
Once residents are accustomed to sorting waste and the necessary facilities have been developed
the requirement for separation at source could be written into local municipality by-laws.
Enforcement could be encouraged through the provision of incentives i.e. paying per kilo of waste
disposed of.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION439
NW500E