The City of Johannesburg’s Environment & Infrastructure Services Department (EISD) is calling on residents and stakeholders to submit their comments on the proposed Public-Private Partnership for the Alternative Waste Treatment Technology (AWTT) Project.
The 60-day public participation process is underway and will close on 7 February 2025. The project aligns with the City’s Integrated Waste Management Plan (IWMP), municipal by-laws, the National Waste Management Act, and the National Waste Management Strategy.
It aims to minimise waste, reduce reliance on landfills, and generate renewable energy. Over time, the initiative will enhance waste separation at source, diverting waste from landfills. However, existing landfill sites face critical challenges, including limited airspace, rising waste generation due to population and income growth, and difficulties in establishing new landfills due to land scarcity.
Landfills also produce methane, a greenhouse gas over 25 times more harmful than CO2. Without intervention, the City’s remaining landfill airspace will be exhausted within two years. The AWTT Project seeks to address these issues by reducing landfill waste, generating renewable energy, and creating job opportunities.
A key component of the project is the Waste-to-Energy initiative, which will treat and dispose of 500,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste annually using mass burn technology. This process is expected to generate approximately 28 MW of electricity while significantly diverting waste from landfills.“We encourage all residents and stakeholders to participate in this process. Community input is crucial to the City’s decision-making. Use this opportunity to share your thoughts and concerns,” said Tebogo Modiba, Executive Director of EISD.
Comments can be submitted by close of business on 7 February 2025. The updated Feasibility Study Report, National Treasury’s Technical Assessment outcome, and Mayoral Committee Report are available on the City’s website (www.joburg.org.za) and at regional offices during working hours (08:00–16:00).
Further enquiries and written comments may be submitted to khuthalamv@joburg.org.za, nondumisop@joburg.org.za or mamokgethim@joburg.org.za.
Written by Dudu Lushaba
29/01/2025