Pikitup, in partnership with e-WASA and waste reclaimers operating at the Marie Louise landfill site, has launched an e-waste recycling initiative in Dobsonville, Soweto.
The Member of the Mayoral Committee for Environment and Infrastructure Services in the City of Johannesburg, Councillor Jack Sekwaila, highlighted the importance of this collaboration in diverting electronic waste from landfill sites, whose lifespans are rapidly diminishing.
“This project will extend the life of Pikitup’s remaining landfill sites and mitigate the harmful effects of electronic waste on our residents and the environment,” he stated.
This initiative is one the first of its kind in South Africa, where the City of Johannesburg, through its waste management company, has partnered with a private entity to recycle electronic waste. This effort aligns with the national policy directive issued by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE).
DFFE Deputy Director-General Mamogala Musekene affirmed this sentiment, stating:
“Today’s event demonstrates the effectiveness of the expanded producer responsibility policy. Producers of electronic waste are actively participating in recycling efforts by donating tools and equipment to extract value from these materials, in compliance with the policy directive.”
As part of the initiative, e-WASA has contributed containers to serve as operational warehouses and storage facilities for waste reclaimers. Additionally, the organisation provided tools, waste collection trolleys, and balers to store materials efficiently.
Dumisani Siziba, e-WASA’s Head of Municipal and Small, Micro, and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs), emphasised the initiative’s role in helping producer companies meet legal requirements to recycle electronic waste. This compliance reduces harmful impacts on human health and the environment.
The EPR Waste Association of South Africa (e-WASA) is a registered Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) under the DFFE for sectors including Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE), Lighting, Portable Batteries, Lubricant Oils, and Paper and Packaging.
Siziba added that e-WASA has invested about R1.1 million in equipment to ensure the project’s success. Furthermore, the organization has committed to incentivising reclaimers by paying 15 cents a kilogramme of e-waste they collect and sell.
Currently, e-waste is classified as general waste by Pikitup, and there are no specific metrics tracking its diversion from landfill sites. However, the World Health Organisation has identified e-waste as a global concern, reporting that 62 million tonnes of e-waste were generated worldwide in 2022, with only 22.3% formally collected and recycled.
This initiative is expected to expand to all Pikitup landfill sites in the future, further supporting sustainable waste management practices.
11/12/2024
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