ReSource November 2022

Waste Management

Editor Nombulelo Manyana

Managing editor Alastair Currie

Editorial coordinator Ziyanda Majodina

Head of design Beren Bauermeister

Designer Janine Schacherl

Chief sub-editor Tristan Snijders

Contributors Mpendulo Ginindza, Kate Stubbs

Production & client liaison manager

Antois-Leigh Nepgen Group sales manager Chilomia Van Wijk Distribution manager Nomsa Masina

Distribution coordinator Asha Pursotham

Advertising sales Joanne Lawrie

Cell +27 (0)82 346 5338

joanne.lawrie@3smedia.co.za

EVERY MATTERSdegree

Publisher Jacques Breytenbach

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Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa

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Email iwmsa@iwmsa.co.za

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Climate change is one of the defining crises of our generation and it is happening even more quickly than we previously thought. The recordbreaking heat, floods, storms, drought and wildfires devastating communities around the world underscore the grave risks we already face.

Tonnes of CO2 are released into the atmosphere every year by burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas. Human activity is also producing greenhouse gas emissions at an alarming rate. Experts are sounding the alarm and pushing for bold and decisive action to be taken, in order to tackle this climate crisis.

However, according to a 10-year summary of the annual United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Emissions Gap Report, the world is on track to maintain a business-as-usual trajectory. The UNEP Emissions Gap Report series tracks our progress in limiting global warming to well below 2˚C and pursuing 1.5˚C, in line with the Paris Agreement.

Since 2010, it has provided an annual science-based assessment of the gap between estimated future global greenhouse gas emissions if countries were to implement their climate mitigation pledges, and where they should be to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

Falling way short

The summary report found that the international community is falling far short of the Paris goals, with no credible pathway to 1.5˚C in place. The Emissions Gap Report 2022 found that the world must cut emissions by 45% to avoid global catastrophe.

Solutions to transform societies exist, but the time for collective, multilateral action is now. The message is loud and clear: only an urgent, ‘system-wide transformation’ can deliver the

enormous cuts needed to limit greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

Action is needed in the electricity supply, industry, transport and building sectors, and the food and financial systems that would back these changes. Even if the transformation fails to fully bridge the 2030 emissions gap, every fraction of a degree matters!

Launching theses various transformative initiatives is necessary to move towards a carbon-neutral future that will allow us to limit global warming and deliver other social and environmental benefits, like clean air, green jobs and universal energy access. The report outlines key actions needed to advance the transformation, including:

• avoiding lock-in of new fossil-fuelintensive infrastructure

• further advancing zero-carbon technologies, market structures and planning for a just transformation

• applying zero-emissions technology and behavioural changes to sustain reductions to reach zero emissions.

The message is clear: transformation through action in the electrical supply, industrial, transport and building sectors, as well as our food and financial systems, can help us win the fight against climate change.

GETTING BACK

technologies and owning companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. There is a place for all of us to create productive and sustainable business ecosystems in the green economy.

In memoriam

In the midst of all these encouraging developments, we sadly lost a stalwart in our sector – Mr Stan Jewaskiewitz. He will always be a South African leader I admire and respect; I was certainly looking forward to engaging with and learning from Stan during my term of office as President. On behalf of the IWMSA community, we send our heartfelt condolences and prayers to his family, loved ones, friends and business partners. Stan’s legacy continues: PEACE & STRENGTH to the industry you gave so much to and loved deeply!

Mpendulo Ginindza, President, IWMSA

is brewing a better world

HEINEKEN South Africa has taken a bold step in moving closer to reducing carbon emissions in all its operations, by launching a solar power plant at its Sedibeng, Midvaal brewery. The solar power plant was built as part of the company’s Brew a Better World initiative and will contribute to the group’s efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030.

Heineken is a key player in the beer and cider industry in the country, with an impressive portfolio of brands, including the global flagship brand Heineken, Windhoek, Amstel, Strongbow, Sol and Soweto Gold. Not only does the brewer strive to be an employer of choice, firmly rooted in South Africa, but its ambitious net-zero goals set it apart within the beer industry.

In September 2021, Heineken shared its road map to becoming net-zero. Its goals include driving a renewable energy step change and focusing on low-carbon agriculture, green packaging, logistics and cooling innovations.

Sustainable partnerships

The 6.5 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant – which is the latest move made by the company in its journey to energy efficiency – was built in partnership with renewable energy solutions specialist SOLA Group. The project, which stretches over 19 ha, involved the installation of 14 000 PV panels, which will generate 17 000 MWh/annum and supply 30% of the brewery’s power consumption.

“The newly installed solar plant follows a water reclamation plant unveiled at the same facility earlier this year,” said Richard Kriel, manager: Engineering, Strategic Projects and Sustainability at Heineken, speaking at the launch event in October.

Heineken and SOLA Group have entered a 15-year power purchase agreement, which states that the SOLA Group owns and will maintain the power plant during the 15-year

period; however, the plant itself has an expected lifespan of 25 years.

“SOLA is proud to be associated with Heineken and [its] commitment to procuring clean, low-carbon energy. Embedded generation projects right at the source of consumption help in reducing the load on the electricity supply network without additional grid infrastructure upgrades,” says Dom Wills, CEO at SOLA Group.

The SOLA Group is a vertically integrated provider of renewable energy solutions, aiming to transform Africa through clean energy. The group consists of two unique and complementary businesses.

With over 13 years of experience, SOLA’s expertise lies in the origination, development, financing, engineering design, project management, and operations and maintenance of renewable energy facilities.

Heineken South Africa’s solar power plant located at its Sedibeng, Midvaal brewery

HEINEKEN South Africa has taken a bold step toward reducing carbon emissions in all its operations and reaching its 2030 net-zero goals.

Powering the future

The plant was built in about seven months and began supplying power to the brewery in May 2022, following its completion. The solar plant is the largest freestanding solar plant powering a brewery in South Africa, and the largest within the Heineken group.

The embedded, grid-connected solar project integrated single-axis tracking technology, which allows the panels to face the sun throughout the day, providing the highest amount of energy possible.

The plant’s weather station detects storms and allows the trackers to move the panels into a defensive stow position to avoid hail and wind. Wills explains that even with expected technological developments in PV technology, the plant used the latest technology currently available.

“We don’t see this becoming obsolete at any point in the next 15 years, and if there are new developments and small things that we can change and add as we go, then we will incorporate that in the plan.”

The solar plant is Wi-Fi enabled and controlled. It is connected through a Scada system, allowing for real-time monitoring and control. This mean that if any faults or problems are identified through the system, it can be resolved remotely. For any issue that cannot be addressed remotely, a specialised team will visit the site to resolve it.

Owing to the plant being an embedded, grid-connected generation project, electricity supply automatically turns off when the grid goes down. Wills adds that the SOLA Group is working on a solution at the Sedibeng brewery to ensure the solar plant can be used to offset the impact of power generated by diesel generators during periods when the grid is down.

The solar plant is Wi-Fi enabled and controlled

“To take the solar plant completely off-grid would require the plant to meet 100% of the brewery’s power consumption needs, as well as storage solutions, among other considerations and additions.”

Kriel said the plant was the start of the brewery’s journey to using sustainable power sources and that the company was looking at other renewable energy options to supply the remaining 70% of power the brewery requires.

Local beneficiation

During the building stage, a total of 127 job opportunities were generated, of which 100 were filled by people from the local Sedibeng community.

The various job opportunities include technicians, construction teams, general workers and community members who attend to solar panel cleaning and vegetation control to maintain optimal performance.

Peter Teixeira, executive mayor, Midvaal Local Municipality, said he is delighted to report that he has seen the difference this project has made with regard to unemployment within the area. Teixeira also lauded the company for always including the municipality and driving sustainable partnership and collaboration with government. At the launch event, HEINEKEN also made a significant contribution toward solar panels and equipment for the municipality.

“I can confirm that Heineken really does look after the local community, and when I say local, I speak for the entire Sedibeng region. Heineken plays a significant role in Midvaal and this innovative step they’ve taken to secure energy will ensure that people’s jobs are safe, and they continue to grow opportunities in Midvaal.”

https://www.heinekensouthafrica.co.za/

Integrated single-axis tracking technology, which allows the panels to face the sun throughout the day

SUSTAINABILITY NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

45% of SA’s total available food supply lost, mainly during production

An estimated 45% of South Africa’s total available food supply is being lost or wasted yearly, with the primary production stage of the food cycle on farms being a major contributor. Yet less than 40% of farmers measure how much food is wasted during the farming process.

This was one of the findings of a recent study conducted by the Behaviour Change Agency (BCA), a behavioural science research company from Cape Town. BCA was commissioned to do the research on behalf of WWF South Africa, the WWF Nedbank Green Trust and Food Forward.

Although food waste occurs across all stages of the food supply chain, a study by

the CSIR found that 34.3% of the total food waste in South Africa occurs at the primary production stage.

Off the back of this, the recent study probed farmers’ awareness, attitudes and behaviours around food waste, including the value they place on reducing food waste, and what their food waste management practices are.

Environmental factors were cited as one of the biggest contributors to food waste and loss. Unseasonal weather, destructive pests and diseases can damage entire crops at a time, leading to enormous wastage.

Groundbreaking research on impact of microplastics

Small pieces of plastics are widely spread all over the world’s oceans and ingested by living creatures. Microplastics are also found in humans; however, the long-term effects of this plastic pollution threat are still largely unknown.

Three scientists that have conducted groundbreaking research in understanding the impact of microplastics on humans and the environment are this year’s laureates of the Volvo Environment Prize.

With the help of winds and ocean currents, microplastics have spread all over the planet. The laureates have reported them in the Arctic deep sea and the snow on Mount Everest in the Himalayas.

The microplastics found, even in the world’s most remote areas, result from a breakdown of litter from the 360 million tonnes of plastics produced annually, used for packaging, cosmetics, car tyres, and

CSIR receives R5 million laboratory equipment

biodegradable.

This follows the recent handover of an automated testing facility and equipment, valued at R5 million, to the CSIR by the Japanese government, through the United Nations Industrial Development Organization.

The testing laboratory is capable of establishing the conditions and timeframes for the biodegradation of materials. Tests can be performed under different conditions –aerobic (compost, soil, freshwater and marine) and anaerobic.

Speaking during the handover ceremony in Pretoria, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, Barbara Creecy, said the new research equipment donated to the CSIR will boost the country’s capability to test bioplastics and ensure their verifiable standards.

“The services that will be offered through this facility will broaden transparency and ensure that product claims can be tested in accordance with environmental labelling standards,” concludes Creecy.

numerous other items. Now, microplastics in the marine environment are spread in the food chains, and intensive research is underway on environmental effects and how to prevent the proliferation of plastic waste through legislation and changes in design, production and disposal.

Scientists are also still unsure whether consuming microplastics harms marine life and human health – but the effects are there.

South Africa’s CSIR now hosts Africa’s only laboratory equipped to test and verify imported or locally produced products that are being promoted as

Contamination of recyclables negatively impacts recycling industry

In order to sustain the recycling industry, there are some golden rules that need to be followed. Not only does this reduce harm to the environment, but it creates and sustains many jobs (in both the formal and informal sectors).

It also supports a circular economy where recyclables are converted into new products, reducing the demand for natural resources. A growing concern for recycling companies is finding waste with contaminants such as rocks, sand and water.

This creates problems such as damage to recycling equipment, rotting paper and, in turn, pathogens that may harm the health of those people working with the waste. The contamination of recyclables not only has a negative impact on the recycling industry as a whole, but affects honest people’s livelihoods, and is detrimental to the environment.

To educate the public on how to recycle their waste in an effective way, Mpact Recycling has launched its ‘Some things just don’t go together’ campaign. This is aimed at creating awareness around materials that must be separated from recyclable waste.

8 000 kg of recycled plastic converted into recycling bins for schools

Million Plus, a consumer recycling campaign led by Polyco PRO NPC, aims to mobilise more than a million South Africans to commit to recycling

their plastic packaging to keep it out of the environment and landfill, and instead put it back into the recycling value chain.

Forging ahead towards this target, Polyco has rolled out a nationwide school recycling initiative, delivering a total of 320 recycling bins to 80 schools across the country.

For this Million Plus schools’ campaign, each school will receive two double recycling bins

(four in total). One bin is for plastic recycling and the other is for other recyclables.

To support the use of these bins at schools, Polyco is collaborating with the Pick n Pay School Club to distribute important educational material that will help teachers and learners understand how to recycle plastic packaging and the importance of keeping recyclables out of the environment and landfill.

in their communities, were celebrated in the annual PETCO Awards.

The recycling industry is traditionally perceived as a male-dominated one; however, in reality, many remarkable women and woman-run businesses are making waves in it. Recently, three such South African women, who have found innovative ways to turn recyclables into viable businesses and improve the lives of those living

These women were recognised for reflecting the principles of sustainability, the circular economy, SMME development and the advancement of women in the value chain, as well as for creating formal and informal jobs in the communities in which they operate.

They, along with six other winners of the awards, have been celebrated in a new online documentary series, Message in a Bottle , which provides a behind-the-scenes, rarely seen look at the operations and efforts of these women. It also highlights the invaluable contribution that these local heroines are making in bettering their communities and the environment.

Women leading the way in creating a circular economy

SOUTH AFRICA’S WATER CRISIS

Stubbs, Marketing Director, Interwaste

Seven of the 13 major water systems in South Africa are predicted to be in deficit by 2040. Worse yet, the National Water and Sanitation Master Plan indicates that if serious action is not taken timeously, the demand for water will exceed the available supply by 2030.

The reality is that even though 2040 is still far off, if we look at certain areas in South Africa as use cases – such as the Eastern Cape – there is no doubt that ‘Day Zero’ may well come sooner than we anticipate.

In fact, the Green Drop 2022 report indicated that 102 of South Africa’s water systems have scored below 31%, with over half of all municipal wastewater systems identified to be in a critical state. This, coupled with the fact that we are a water-scarce country, raises the critical need to change our behaviour towards the use and preservation of this precious resource.

It is then no surprise that government has placed an urgent focus on both water preservation and availability to improve sustainable water supply, safe water and

wastewater service delivery in the short term. However, much needs to be done if wastewater and effective water treatment are to become safer for consumption and delivered to communities across the country.

In our experience, effective wastewater management can result in the redistribution of water into the environment for irrigation and dust suppression, as well as to replenish rivers and catchments in our water infrastructure networks. And while we have had a very rainy season, it will not last forever. And so, large water-consuming industries need to consider the different technologies available to drive this agenda.

Wastewater treated to the required standards ensures this water can be effectively reused. Nearly all effluent can be recycled, if done properly, creating a strong solution for water sustainability and access – water that was previously not deemed safe for consumption.

However, if we consider the investment needed to reach the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals related to water alone, which equates to US$114 million (R2.03 billion)

per annum, then we have to realise that this is not a one-man job. Fundamentally, if we don’t work together to tackle both supply and preservation, we are set to lose the battle.

So, what is needed to curb the currently inevitable?

At the outset, we need to create a much more diverse water mix, including groundwater and wastewater reuse, if we hope to protect this scarce resource and create a water supply that is safe and consistent. We must start by addressing areas in which we can immediately tackle water supply issues.

If we consider that the main source of pollution is from wastewater treatment plants and there is increasing contamination of our waterways from various waste types, there is no doubt that, as the population grows and we witness more urbanisation, this is a critical starting point.

In fact, from a waste perspective, waste management companies form a cornerstone to securing safe water for South Africa’s commercial and private use, and are striving towards driving such change in the country to

We are knee-deep in very little water!

Kate

The demand for water will exceed the available supply by 2030 – that’s a 10% to 15% deficit. Kate Stubbs unpacks how creating a much more diverse and sustainable water mix can alleviate South Africa’s water crisis.

conserve, manage and repurpose water, as well as play their part in fighting climate change.

In this space, some waste companies are using various technologies to treat and process effluent streams to a level where they can be recycled and reused for various purposes. Similarly, legislation such as the ban of liquid waste disposal to landfill, for example, and rising ESG pressures are driving innovation in the waste sector as well as forcing corporate South Africa to be more agile in their approach to the use, reuse and impact on our water supply.

Wastewater, and the treatment thereof, has therefore become a critical consideration in addressing scarcity and safety issues. Let’s take effluent water treatment as an example. If treated to the required standards – as set out by national environmental agencies – this water can be reused effectively.

As nearly all effluent can be recycled, if done properly, a large bank of water could become available, which previously may not have been considered as ‘safe’ for the environment or community.

Driving innovation

It is proven that innovative wastewater management can result in the redistribution of this water into the environment; the different technologies are so advanced today that effluent can even be treated further to provide potable (drinking) water for areas where it is in short supply.

It is here that we as waste companies, and corporate South Africa, need to really take heed – we need to come to the party and create a demand for effective, world-class effluent treatment plants to not only drive down the cost

of water treatment and ensure we have superior and viable infrastructure in place but, in so doing, ensure we contribute viably to the larger water mix in South Africa.

As industry at large creates many streams of effluent – not just municipal related – we need to start looking towards treating a wider variety of liquid waste streams and think innovatively about how we create a circular economy within our water system.

Think about the possibilities of treating water within industry that can be reused on-site and into other industrial processes. Essentially, however, the focus is on innovating around infrastructure and technologies, addressing skills deficiencies and planning for the impact of climate change.

Interwaste, for example, focuses on the management of liquid waste – from oily water separation, reverse osmosis, distillation and sewage treatment plants to slop treatment and thermal destruction units, there are physical, biological and chemical solutions to separate and extract the various elements contained in the effluent for reuse.

By investing in infrastructure that looks beyond the obvious, which tackles industrial water pollution and supports municipal evolution in water treatment, we can truly make a difference, but we must start now, and we need to work together – innovating around infrastructure and technologies, addressing skill deficiencies and planning for the impact of climate change. In the short term, we have an opportunity to witness rapid change but in the long term, we can make a sustainable difference!

Of course, to truly ensure a safer and more robust water supply, corporate South Africa

and government need to work together to build suitable infrastructure to support the water mix and find solutions that are most effective, as well as at the most economical cost and at the highest efficiency rates possible.

www.interwaste.co.za

Mechanical water treatment plant with tri-phase separation

A showcase of best practice and sustainable WASTE MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS

We cannot be blind to the state of waste in South Africa and beyond. We all know that we have a massive environmental crisis on our hands and, in 2022, our communities should not be under constant threat of air and water pollution.

Those were the sentiments of most experts attending the 25th WasteCon Conference and Exhibition, which took place at Emperors Place, Ekurhuleni, from 18 to 20 October 2022. The biennial conference and exhibition, organised by the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA), was themed ‘Back on Track?

Perspectives on Waste and Circularity’.

After having faced the disappointment of having to cancel in 2020, WasteCon 2022 came back stronger to showcase best practices and sustainable waste and resource management solutions.

Emerging from a period in which virtually all aspects of our lives were dominated by the

effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the theme essentially encompassed a reality check on where we are now in respect of the state of waste management and circular economy. It looked at what the waste industry had done well or poorly in the past, what the sector should continue doing and, most importantly, what should be done better or differently in the future.

The latest technologies, services and products were presented at 73 indoor and 15 outdoor exhibitions. This was made possible by the financial support of 14 WasteCon sponsors and 17 Golf Day sponsors. There was a total attendance of 1 298 during the three days of the conference and the organisers held 54 technical and 11 interactive sessions.

Meaningful connections

In her inaugural speech as the newly appointed and incoming IWMSA President, Mpendulo Ginindza noted that the IWMSA community is passionate, proud and intensely focused on achieving its mission. She also gave

a nod of appreciation to government, which has requested the Institute’s participation in creating and implementing regulatory frameworks.

“We look forward to forming relationships with many different disciplines and I am thankful for all the connections made at the conference and for the wealth of knowledge gained in such a short period of time. I hope that the work invested in all these engagements (and others) will bear fruits as we move into 2023.”

Brendon Jewaskiewitz, immediate Past President of the IWMSA, officially handed over the reins to Ginindza on the first day of the conference – stating that he looks forward to the contribution she will make to the Institute and the industry as a whole.

“The IWMSA is dedicated to inclusivity, sustainability and growth. And with the Institute’s powerful voice, we can reach and bridge the gap between public, private and government. The IWMSA is a powerful vehicle for advocacy and change. Become involved, get

#WasteCon2022 brought together leaders within the waste management industry to find solutions to existing challenges and discover new opportunities among historic waste issues.

your hands dirty, and help us make the change,” said Jewaskiewitz in his welcome address.

Robust debate

Day 1 started off strong, with a jam-packed programme of insightful plenary, panel and workshop sessions. In the three days, the industry debated South Africa’s energy roadmap, the role of sustainable landfilling, and the future of waste management, among other things.

Experts implored the government, public and private sector to invest in sustainable waste management by developing end-oflife recycling solutions for products, finding alternative solutions for waste materials like building rubble, and re-evaluating the country’s recycling systems.

“The window of opportunity is closing, and we are reaching a point of no return with global warming. We need to promote and implement sustainable waste management practices and circular economy if we want to win the war against global warming. The waste industry needs to be at the heart, as it holds the knowledge on how to mitigate and manage waste materials,” said Carlos Silva Filho, president of International

The key message and a recurring theme through all the presentations was that proper waste management remains an under-prioritised service, and most metros are not structured to divert waste – they are only structured to collect and dispose of waste. Join the community that supports the waste and secondary resources sector every day

IWMSA Performance July-October 2022

CATEGORY #

Patron members 21

Organisation members 678

Individual and student members 471

Individuals trained 59

Awareness initiatives delivered through media 36

Awareness initiatives delivered through social media 63

National Stakeholder & Strategic Partner engagements 5

International Stakeholder engagements 2

Networking events 4

ISWA working groups with active participation of IWMSA members 4

Active IWMSA interest groups 2

Solid Waste Association (ISWA), as he unpacked the future of the waste management sector.

The IWMSA is a national member of ISWA, which is a non-governmental, independent and non-profit association by statutes and follows the mission statement to promote and develop professional waste management worldwide as a contribution to sustainable development.

The President’s Award

The President’s Award is made at Council level and recognises any person or organisation that has contributed substantially towards the promotion of the science and practice of waste management in Southern Africa.

For their exceptional performance and contribution, these individuals were recognised and presented with the President’s Award, during the WasteCon 2022 opening ceremony:

1. Peter Davies – independent geosynthetics professional specialising in reviews of designs incorporating geosynthetics.

2. Professor Suzan Oelofse – principal researcher: Sustainability, Economics and Waste at the CSIR.

3. Eddie Hanekom – waste management specialist.

The Conscientious Spirit Awards

The Conscientious Spirit Awards recognise excellence beyond the norm of the industry in fulfilment of the IWMSA’s goals and objectives. The award is considered for any person or persons in any walk of life, not restricted to a particular profession or physical development, where the nominee has demonstrated conscientiousness in a project/task/service beyond normal ethical behaviour in pursuit of excellence in meeting the range of goals of the Institute.

The 2022 award was bestowed upon Polyco for the Packa-Ching project. Packa-Ching is an owner-operated, mobile, separation-at-source recycling service that purchases recyclable, used packaging material from the public in low-income and informal areas.

Since its founding, Packa-Ching has diverted more than 7 250 tonnes of waste from landfill and its communities have earned over R6.4 million in exchange for their recyclables.

The Packa-Ching business currently operates in Cape Town, Western Cape; Thabazimbi, Limpopo; Buffalo City, Eastern Cape; and Katlehong, Gauteng.

In conclusion

In his keynote address, Howard Robinson, technical director at UK-based Phoenix Engineering, perfectly summarised the message of the conference, stating that the waste industry is not the problem but rather the solution.

“The public is poorly informed about environmental issues and waste. Waste is just a resource at the wrong place.”

WASTECON

IN PICTURES

ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT RECYCLER joins IWMSA as

patron member

At some point, your fridge, washing machine and even cell phone will reach what is effectively known as their ‘end of life’. At this point, the item simply does not work anymore, and must be disposed of responsibly and sustainably through licensed electronic waste recyclers.

However, despite stringent Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations and the newly revised National Waste Management Strategy (NWMS), only 12% of e-waste is recycled, with the rest being mismanaged or ending up at landfill.

Reclite SA, a holistic waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) recycler, strives to change this, through the promotion of innovation and circular solutions for e-waste.

Service offering

Reclite SA, is a leading, awardwinning South African WEEE recycling company, utilising best practice principles. Its services include the recovery, collection, transportation, recycling, treatment and beneficiation of all types of WEEE as a compliant and licensed facility. The company handles WEEE that includes, but is not limited to:

• electronics (IT equipment, TVs, etc.)

• electrical (LDAs, SDAs, lighting, cables, etc.)

• renewable energy (solar, wind, etc.)

• energy storage (batteries, both portable and industrial)

• electronic waste (cell phones, laptops, printers, etc.)

• lighting and lighting equipment.

The WEEE is collected then separated into its component parts or fractions, including hazardous fractions. A small volume of recovered fractions that are not beneficiated inhouse, are transported to local or international treatment facilities, where these fractions are beneficiated utilising various technologies. Reclite SA is currently developing further technologies to increase fraction beneficiation to include these in-house.

“We encourage all South Africans to find all those small appliances that are easily stored and forgotten about in drawers, cupboards, garages, basements and attics, and contact Reclite SA to collect them,” says Steffen Schröder, managing director of Reclite SA.

Compliance

Reclite SA is a B2B service provider, servicing SMMEs to large corporations and the household consumer market through it retails partners. The company operates nationally within South Africa and accepts WEEE from other African countries, such as Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Eswatini. As an approved importer, transporter and final treatment facility, the company operates in accordance with Basel Convention cross-boundary regulations and procedures.

In addition, Reclite SA complies with Cenelec and WEEELabex Global Standards for waste electrical and electronic waste management, and recently achieved a 98% audit score.

Reclite SA strives towards circular solutions and innovation, utilising best practice technology and methodology, offering cost-effective products and efficient services that serve the needs of the waste sector, while also being supportive of and beneficial for environmental protection.

Our goals

As the leading WEEE recycler in the country, Reclite SA strives to be the leader in WEEE collection, transportation and recycler within South Africa and the SADC region. The company strives to provide innovative, costeffective and environmentally sound services to its customers.

“We want to continue to provide social and environmental benefits by eliminating WEEE from landfills, so they can be recovered and recycled,” emphasises Schröder.

Schröder concludes that Reclite SA will actively participate in training and raising awareness about the proper management of WEEE and contribute meaningfully to circular economy principles.

Reclite South Africa, one of the leading collectors and recyclers of electronic waste in the country, has joined the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA) as a patron member – the first ever electrical and electronic recycler to do so.

waste solution PIKITUP’S INTEGRATED

During 2020, it is estimated the world generated roughly 2.24 billion tonnes of solid waste, amounting to a footprint of 0.79 kg per person per day. With rapid population growth and urbanisation, annual waste generation is expected to increase by 73% from 2020 levels to 3.88 billion tonnes in 2050.

Similar to global conditions, rapid urbanisation has contributed significantly to the City of Johannesburg’s growing waste problem. Annually, Joburg generates about 1.4 million tonnes of domestic waste alone. Pikitup, the City’s waste collection and disposal service, collects about 6 000 tonnes of waste a day from formal and informal areas, as well as businesses.

The utility cleans and sweeps approximately 9 000 km of streets within Johannesburg’s seven

regions. Littering alone costs Johannesburg R74 million a year, while illegal dumping costs another R80 million. The company owns 12 waste management depots strategically located throughout the city, 42 garden refuse sites, four landfill sites and one incinerator.

According to Pikitup’s latest calculations, all four remaining landfill sites have a lifespan of about 2.6 years collectively – making it imperative to conserve the remaining landfill airspace. Muzi Mkhwanazi, spokesperson at Pikitup, says this will require that all residents ensure that their recyclables are recycled, and only residual waste reaches the sites.

“If the landfill sites reach the end of their lifespan, Pikitup will be forced to spend huge amounts of resources to not only find alternative sites, but to extend the lifespan of

the current sites by increasing space and by also using private landfill sites.

“The net effect of such an eventuality is that the cost implications will be passed down to the residents, making waste collection services expensive,” stresses Mkhwanazi.

In an effort to avert such a situation and to foster a culture of waste minimisation, particularly of waste that ends up at landfill sites, Pikitup has converted its garden sites into integrated waste management facilities, which residents can use to dispose of all kinds of waste.

Integrated waste management facilities

This means that Pikitup’s 42 garden sites have now been turned into waste management facilities, which will take in a variety of specified waste – as opposed to garden waste only. The utility is now on a drive to raise awareness within the communities.

“It has come to our attention that some residents seem to not to be fully aware about the different kinds of waste that can be disposed [of] at such sites. This has resulted in residents being turned away from these facilities for trying to dispose of waste that is not acceptable at such sites,” says Mkhwanazi.

“Annoyed and frustrated residents in turn would make frantic calls to Pikitup to find out what is accepted or not acceptable for disposal at these

The dire need to drastically reduce waste that ends up at Pikitup’s landfill sites is a collective and collaborative responsibility.

sites. We thus need to clear the confusion and empower residents about how to utilise the 42 integrated waste management sites.”

The self-service facilities are open for operation from 08:00 to 17:00, Monday to Sunday. Waste that is acceptable at the site include:

• light garden waste/refuse (maximum five plastic bags)

• paper, cardboard and plastics

• cans

• e-waste

• vehicle oil

• glass.

“Old furniture, couches, fridges, microwave ovens, broken television sets, old mattresses are considered bulky waste and these must NOT be disposed at these site,” emphasises Mkhwanazi.

Pikitup has a free bulky waste service to assist residents with the disposal of large items such as these. To use this service, residents must call a Pikitup depot that services their area and request for the service or the call centre for assistance.

“This service is provided to also ensure that people loitering around the sites will not obtain items of value and as such will not harass residents that use the sites.”

Bulky waste service

The free bulky waste service refers to the type of waste that can only be collected directly from households. Through this service, Pikitup will be able to assist residents to dispose of things like old mattresses, old furniture, disused or old fridges, and other electronic and non-electronic items.

This service was introduced with the objective of trying to deal with illegal dumping, which is an eyesore and an environmental problem in all seven regions of Johannesburg. The aim of this service is also to divert recyclable waste away from landfill sites – thus increasing the lifespan of current landfill sites.

Residents who want to dispose of bulky waste from their households are urged to contact their nearest Pikitup depots or use the nearest garden sites. Once a resident has logged a call at any of Pikitup’s depots, the responsible depot manager will book a call and arrange for the free, once-a-month bulky waste service to collect such waste.

Alternatively, residents can also use the following number to request the service: the City of Johannesburg Call Centre number: 011 375 5555 or 086 056 2874 and press option 4 for Pikitup or 087 357 1068 or 010 055 5990.

Disposing of garden waste

Garden service providers are only allowed to dispose of one load per car or van at the garden site. In the event that garden service providers have more loads, they must dispose of such waste at landfill sites and will need to open an account to be able to access the site.

Residents are encouraged to visit www.pikitup.co.za to locate the integrated waste management sites.

“Pikitup urges all residents [of the City of Johannesburg] to use these services and to become active participants in preserving and protecting the environment by applying the basic principles: reduce, reuse and recycle,” Mkhwanazi concludes.

Trends and in the decade to come opportunities

The world is facing an environmental emergency that will bring about a climate crisis unless urgent action is taken. The lack of sound waste management is a huge source of pollution, negatively impacting human health. But it doesn’t need to be that way. With proper treatment, waste can be an asset and not a liability.

That is the sentiment of Carlos Silva Filho, president of the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA). ISWA is an international network of waste professionals and experts from around the world whose mission is to promote and develop sustainable and professional waste management worldwide and to facilitate a just transition to a circular economy.

Speaking at the 25th WasteCon Conference and Exhibition – which took place in October 2022 at Emperors Palace, Gauteng – Filho stressed that the world is reaching a point of no return with global warming, pollution and the degradation of natural resources. He stated that the window of opportunity to implement effective change is fast closing.

“The amount of waste generated is increasing and the impact of this waste pollution will be most felt in developing countries. Waste pollution reflects global inequalities. ISWA has identified some key focal points and trends for the next decade that must be addressed to

ensure sustainable management of waste and resources,” said Filho.

A decade of sustainability ISWA’s latest report, titled The Future of The Waste Management Sector: Trends, Opportunities and Challenges for the Decade, was first launched at the closing ceremony of the 2021 ISWA World Congress.

The report represents ISWA’s 10-year outlook and highlights the key issues around the transition to a circular economy, the role waste management will play in achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and combatting climate change.

The report is a call to action on how to move forward into the new decade and is a must-read for all industry stakeholders, as well as others involved in any of these spaces. Sustainable waste management will undoubtedly play a fundamental role in achieving a cleaner, healthier planet for everyone.

“ISWA’s vision is an earth where no waste exists. Waste should be reused and reduced to a minimum, then collected, recycled and treated properly. Residual matter should be disposed of in a safely engineered way, ensuring a clean and healthy environment.

“All people on earth should have the right to enjoy an environment with clean air, water, seas and soils. To be able to achieve this,

it’s important to know – and anticipate –trends, challenges and opportunities in the coming years – considering the variables that will influence waste generation and its management systems, new social behaviours, production and consumption patterns, and global interactions in terms of communication, development, population growth, commerce and demands.”

Challenges for the decade

Waste is the by-product of daily human activities and it’s expected that municipal solid waste generation will increase all over the world, under a business-as-usual scenario, from around 2 billion tonnes per annum (tpa) generated in 2016 to 3.4 tpa in 2050.

According to those estimates, most of this increase will be seen in low-income countries, where waste generation is expected to triple. ISWA’s report has identified the current challenges within the sector as follows:

• low collection coverage

• lack of safe and proper destination to all the waste generated

• pollution caused by inadequate practices (dump sites, open burning, littering, etc.)

• low demand for secondary raw materials

• harmful/hazardous substances in material’s composition

• lack of funding/minimum required resources.

In an era of rapid urbanisation and population growth, effective waste management is critical for sustainable, healthy and inclusive cities.

Focal points of the decade

Filho stressed that, with the drastic increase of municipal waste generation, we need a drastic increase of collection and treatment capacities combined with useful applications for the recovered materials.

These developments will need a significant increase of financing, which, in parallel, will need measures to ensure that the collected funds are really used for the collected purpose, with strong governance, and transparency measures.

Filho added that in mitigating the negative effects of increased waste generation, the waste management industry will become an in-depth, data-driven industry and a central pillar for the future economic role model, based mostly in the circularity and the recovery of goods, materials, chemicals and energy.

“There will also be a great need for exchange of experience and for cooperation to avoid too many shortfalls and failures,” he noted.

The focal points for the decade include:

• the protection of human health and the environment, seeing as it’s the original rationale of waste management and should naturally maintain a fundamental place in any waste management system

• mitigate climate change through waste prevention and recycling initiatives – the effects of waste prevention and recycling offer

HOW THE SECTOR CAN CONTRIBUTE TO OUR PLANET’S FUTURE

• Protecting human health and improving liveability

• Protecting nature and ecosystems

• Providing secondary raw materials, nutrients and materials that improve soil quality

• Producing green and renewable energy and fuels

• Mitigating climate change

• Contributing to economic development by generating jobs and wealth to cities and regions

potential GHG reductions in the magnitude of up to 20% of the global emissions

• drive resource efficiency and promote the circular economy

• to make sure that a reliable, inclusive and transparent governance model is in place – which is a critical component for any successful waste management system

• occupational health and safety must be a priority for the waste business and should be incorporated as part of its culture

• make sure a broad array of treatment technologies and advancements are adopted.

Key messages

In conclusion, Filho stated that the Covid-19 pandemic highlighted how crucial the waste management sector is to all societies, mainly because of the function it plays in public health

and safety. He stressed that for the decade spanning 2021 to 2030, we will need to focus on providing efficient and environmentally sound waste management to all, including collection and treatment services.

“We will need to ensure that all inadequate operations are stopped and shut down immediately. Promote the transition from badly managed dumpsites to well-managed, engineered landfills and make sure that hazardous and harmful substances are phased out and that proper final sinks are available.

“The principles of the circular economy have been put in place; now they need to be implemented. The waste industry will need to be at the heart, as it holds the knowledge on how to mitigate and manage waste materials,” concluded Filho.

of buy-back centres THE RISE

Recycling buy-back centres, where recyclable materials are brought and exchanged for money, play an important role in managing waste by keeping it out of the environment and diverting valuable resources from landfills.

Now, entrepreneurs are taking the initiative to start up such buy-back centres, recognising that they not only contribute to getting valuable resources out of the waste stream, but can also potentially generate sustainable income opportunities, both for themselves and others.

In doing so, environmental and litter issues are tackled, while communities are empowered and developed from a socioeconomic perspective.

Companies such as PETCO – a producer responsibility organisation whose main responsibility is facilitating the collection and recycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles – provide support to these entrepreneurs on this journey.

“The PET recycling sector has an important role to play in contributing to the transformation of the South African economy. Few issues are more important,” says Cheri Scholtz, CEO, PETCO.

“PETCO provides financial and other support to the collection and recycling value chain to increase the street value of PET packaging and stimulate its collection. The majority of these support projects are aimed at recycling partners or buy-back centres through the sponsorship of infrastructure and equipment that allows them to improve efficiency, as well as the quantity and quality of the materials they collect.”

Recognition contributions

Recently, three such innovative entrepreneurs were recognised in the annual PETCO Awards for the work they have done in driving sustainability and contributing to the circular economy. They have created formal and informal jobs, as well as income opportunities within the communities in which they operate.

Linah

The programme first launched in March 2019, with four buy-back centre projects, and has since grown to an impressive total of 14 projects: five in Nkangala, two in Bohlabela, one in Gert Sibande, and six in the Ehlanzeni district.

“People have got very different opinions regarding waste, but there is one that is outdated, which is that ‘waste is trash’,” explains Ndala. “I have come to learn that waste can actually be equated with wealth and money.”

The initiative, which collected over five tonnes of PET recyclables in 2021, now employs 240 people. The majority of those benefiting from this project are women, giving them the opportunity to create an income from their recyclable materials.

In Umlazi, Durban, there were no PET collection facilities available; however, in 2020, Isphepho Enviro Ambassadors was formed to change that.

Duduzile Ndala is the coordinator of the Zonda Insila Programme, based in Msukaligwa Local Municipality in Mpumalanga.

Amid the challenging issues of job creation and waste management, there are beacons of light as South Africans look to inventive ways to find solutions for themselves.

“We started our business in 2020 with just three collectors,” says Londiwe Mbuyisa from Isphepho Enviro Ambassadors. “We now support 65 waste collectors selling us the PET waste that they have collected and we are currently collecting a minimum of 12 tonnes of plastic waste every month.”

She stresses the need for skills development and knowledge sharing in the industry, explaining how, when she started, she needed to learn about the different kinds of plastic and other materials that could be recycled, as well as how to run a business. She now shares this knowledge with those taking their first steps in the industry.

Empowering others

“We have empowered over 40 individuals from the areas who are first-time collectors of PET by providing training and skills development. We share our resources, which include supplying a one tonne woven bag to each of them and PPE gloves, so that collectors can get started, earn an income and feed their families,” she continues.

For Mbuyisa, it is not just about creating jobs for adults, but also about developing skills among the youth, which can translate into opportunities later in life.

“With this programme, we thought that we needed to teach youngsters about the values of recycling and the possible opportunities that exist within the circular economy. Maybe when they grow up, they will become entrepreneurs and come up with innovations that give solutions to the problems of waste management that we are facing now,” she continues.

Another waste entrepreneur is Ahmed Scholtz, founder of The Artell. He started off 30 years ago by repurposing PET bottles into water feeding containers for chickens. Fastforward to the present and he is Mahikeng’s biggest trader of post-consumer PET recyclate. This business is the town’s biggest buy-back centre, and now employs 11 staff, services 1 200 collectors and collects 10 to 15 tonnes of recyclables every month.

“If I can look back many years, I can say the difference is that the waste that was lying

around, scattered all over, is there no more. This is because collectors are now picking it up. They bring it to the buy-back centre where they earn a living every day,” says Scholtz.

“My mission is to ensure that each and every PET bottle in my community never ends up in a landfill,” he says. “We also support the vulnerable families by enabling them to make a decent living in a dignified manner.

“The message that I would leave to South Africans about recycling, is that it is of vital importance, because of our environment. We only have this one world and we all must look after it, because if we lose it, we won’t have anything else,” he continues.

The inspiring stories of these entrepreneurs, along with six other winners of the PETCO Awards, have been celebrated in a first-ofits-kind documentary series, Message in a Bottle , which provides a behind-the-scenes look at the operations and efforts made by these innovators.

It also highlights the invaluable contribution that these local heroes are making in bettering their communities and the environment.

stats released latest plastics production and recycling

Anton Hanekom, executive director, Plastics SA, shares the latest production and recycling figures for the fiscal year ending December 2021, revealing that 1 904 924 tonnes of polymer were converted into new plastics products this year.

“This is the total amount of polymers produced locally, net imported polymers and recycled polymers sold locally to converters. Locally recycled polymer made up 21.7% of virgin consumption – up from 20.6% in 2020. This growth is consistent with the country’s 4.9% growth in GDP during the same period,” Hanekom says.

Polymer consumption in South Africa is calculated using both locally produced virgin tonnages and imported/exported polymers as recorded by the South African Revenue Service. Plastics recyclers who sell their recyclate into the local market provide data on recycled polymer consumption. Domestic polymer consumption is limited to polymers that have

been locally converted into plastics and semifinished products.

Market sectors

The packaging sector continues to make up half of the overall plastic polymer consumption in South Africa – 29% for rigid packaging and 21% for flexible packaging. This is followed by the building and construction sector as the third biggest market at 14%.

“South Africa is not a packaging powerhouse –it is more the country’s weakness in the nonpackaging sector that should be highlighted. Despite the fact that the poor exchange rate and logistical challenges encountered in 2021 provided a much-needed boost to certain non-packaging-related markets, these sectors are lagging behind the rest of the world. The demand for rotationally moulded water tanks peaked in 2019 and 2020, but we saw a

South Africa’s plastics manufacturing and recycling industries grew by 4.7% last year, indicating a welcome recovery from the devastation caused by the Covid pandemic.

decline last year. Agriculture and automotive/transportation applications now only make up 7% of the domestic market. However, as a direct result of local sourcing by OEMs and brand owners, there has been a slight increase in mining, engineering and electric applications in their respective market sectors,” Hanekom reports.

Plastics recycling

South Africa recycled 344 527 tonnes of plastics during 2021 – representing a 10% increase over previous years. Although the industry has welcomed this growth, Hanekom stresses that much more needs to be done to support local recyclers and develop the industry to its full potential.

“In order for recycling to be effective, certain principles must be in place: products must be designed for recycling;

the necessary systems must be in place to collect recyclable waste from the solid waste stream as early as possible; specifications must be in place for incoming recyclable waste in the sense that standards must be developed and adhered to for the recycling processes and subsequent recyclate; and environmental claims must be substantiated. While plastics collection and recycling have improved slightly, we are still not back to pre-Covid year levels recorded in 2019. Recyclers, like the rest of the country’s manufacturing sector, were negatively impacted by economic challenges caused by load-shedding and rising transportation and energy costs. Although considerably less than virgin polymers, recycling still consumes a lot of energy. To ensure economic quantities, recyclables must also be transported to reprocessing plants,” Hanekom explains.

Job creation

South Africa’s unemployment rate reached a new high of 35.3% in the fourth quarter of 2021, with more than 500 000 jobs lost at the time. The manufacturing and construction industries were particularly hard hit, and unfortunately the plastics industry did not escape this trend.

“Although our calculations show that approximately 57 400 informal jobs (e.g. waste pickers and employees of smaller entrepreneurial collectors) were retained in the collection industry this year, formal employment in plastics recycling slipped by 11% to 5 533 formal jobs. Females account for 23% of the workforce and are preferred for more detailed jobs such as waste sorting. The majority of the functions, however, require physically stronger male workers due to the physical nature of their work. A small number of contract workers (4% of the total) are hired on an as-needed basis to sort incoming recyclable waste during peak periods. This figure has dropped yet again as businesses reduce the number of jobs and instead buy sorted, cleaner waste to cut operational costs,” Hanekom reports.

End-markets for recycled material

Since 2012, South Africa’s recyclate production has increased by 36%. As a result, the average percentage of recycled content in new products has risen from 14.8 % in 2012 to 16.7 % in 2021. Various industry initiatives, individual company pledges and the ongoing efforts by recyclers are encouraging the use of recycled plastics in a variety of industries.

However, more needs to be done to accelerate the overall circularity of plastics. Developing

new end-markets for recycled plastics is critical to ensure the industry’s longterm viability. Plastics converters, who are the primary clients of recyclers, were severely strained as the overall economic climate deteriorated in 2021.

Although recyclate has a market in almost every local market sector, recyclers have had to work harder than ever before to find sustainable markets for their materials. Despite operational challenges, only 7.7% of our recyclate was exported as raw material to Asian and SADC plastics converters.

Conclusion

Plastics provide numerous societal benefits. They are used to: create a safer, more convenient world; reduce food waste; contribute to energy-efficient buildings; allow for significant fuel savings in all modes of transportation; and can even save our lives. Plastics are critical to innovation and lowering energy demand while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

There is no doubt, however, that we are at a point in history when society’s relationship with plastics is changing. The plastics industry, government and society as a whole all want the same thing: to reduce plastic pollution and leave the environment in a better state for

future generations. Domestic waste management has entered the public consciousness, and many industries and consumers share a desire to reduce waste and prevent waste going to landfill, leaking into the environment, or being shipped offshore.

The plastics industry is working hard to ensure that plastics remain sustainable and have a positive impact on people and the environment. We are doing this by striving to transform the traditional linear economy – in which plastics are typically disposed of at the end of their service life, into a plastics circular economy where plastics remain in circulation for longer periods of time and are reused and recycled at the end of their lifespan.

“Considering the greater context of global events and local developments affecting the industry, we believe the 2021 results are satisfactory and in line with our expectations. We are aware of our shortcomings and where additional work is required. However, just as birds sing after a storm, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to every company, individual employee, partner and supplier who assisted us in weathering a very difficult and tumultuous period in our history. As an industry, we will continue to work harder, embrace innovation and aim higher in order to meet our own and society’s expectations,” Hanekom concludes.

South Africa’s prolonged energy crisis has been described as the biggest risk to the country’s economy. Eskom’s failure to meet national energy needs has led to increasingly worse bouts of load-shedding, leaving many South Africans frustrated and angry.

In June 2022, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced an energy action plan that outlined measures to address South Africa’s energy crisis. This included a strong push for more households to install rooftop solar panels.

The 10-point power crisis plan includes scrapping the licensing threshold of 100 MW, Eskom buying more electricity from existing independent power producers, and doubling the amount of renewable generation capacity procured through REIPPP Bid Window 6.

The president’s plan is also designed to enable businesses and households to invest in rooftop solar.

To incentivise greater uptake of rooftop solar, Eskom will develop rules and a pricing structure – known as a feed-in tariff – for all commercial and residential installations on its

Managing your waste

Managing your waste

solar panel

network. This means that those who can and have installed solar panels in their homes or businesses will be able to sell surplus power they don’t need to Eskom.

Solar PV waste

It is predicted that solar energy via photovoltaic (PV) technologies will contribute about 15% of the world’s energy mix by 2050. This increase in the use of solar panels is being driven by the reduced capex costs of the technology and the demand for clean energy.

With a life expectancy of between 20 and 50 years – meaning that panels installed today will only become waste 20 to 50 years into the future – the predicted exponential increase in the number of solar panels that reach end-of-life (EOL) will require efficient and costeffective waste management strategies.

This is to prevent the dire environmental consequences of simply discarding of these waste panels.

Dr Mark Williams-Wynn, manager: R&D at EWaste Africa and research engineer: Thermodynamics Research Unit of the School of Engineering at the University of

KwaZulu-Natal, asserts that PV waste is expected to reach 1.4 million tonnes by 2030.

This means that, although South Africa is yet to see demand for solar panel recycling, the implementation of the amendment to the National Environmental Management: Waste Act (No. 59 of 2008) – which bans all waste electronic and electrical equipment from landfill as of August 2021 – together with more solar panels reaching EOL, will result in increasing demand for solutions.

“At present, between 90% and 95% of solar panels use silicon-based PV cells that convert sunlight into electricity. Other solar panels use thin films of cadmium telluride (CdTe) or copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) to convert the sunlight to electricity.

“These chemicals are highly toxic and make the management of these types of panels extremely hazardous. While silicon-based and thin-film PV are currently the only widespread technologies, there are also several nextgeneration technologies that will likely become more widespread in the coming years,” said Williams-Wynn during a presentation at WasteCon 2022.

While solar panels have a lifespan of several decades, it becomes increasingly important to consider reuse and recycling options as time passes.

Solar panel EOL

The EOL of a panel is often reached because the efficiency of the panel decreases over time. For many major solar energy projects, the guidelines stipulate that the panels must be replaced when the efficiency drops to a certain threshold. The waste panels from such cases remain suitable for less demanding applications. Examples of such applications include the electrification of rural areas and schools. These panels could be sold, donated or leased.

Apart from efficiency issues, other solar panels are considered waste due to superficial or partial damage. Many of these can be repaired and can enter the used market. At present, there is no second-hand market for solar panels, and the creation of such a market may assist in reducing the amount of waste produced, while increasing the availability of PV technology.

However, in a similar manner to the reuse of lower-efficiency solar panels, thought needs to be given to how the solar panels are recovered for recycling once they are no longer functional.

Recycling value chain

A solar panel consists of the PV cells housed within a plastic, glass and metal structure. Up to 96% of the mass of a solar panel can be recycled within South Africa, with PV cell alone requiring specialised processing. It’s therefore essential to locally recycle as much of the materials from the solar panels as possible, as this will create jobs, ensure that materials remain within South Africa and reduce shipping costs.

As the volumes of solar panels that require recycling increase over time, it may become feasible to begin processing the PV cells

themselves in South Africa; however, the current low volumes render this option infeasible.

The biggest challenge with dismantling solar panels is the separation of the silicon wafers from the glass protective layer under which they are glued. This can be done either through thermal treatment, chemical treatment or mechanical treatment.

The value of the separated silicon is dependent upon the treatment technique used. Undamaged wafers obtained through thermal or chemical treatment have a higher value than those separated by mechanical means; however, the mechanical processes are often cheaper and faster.

Despite such a large fraction of a solar panel being recyclable, the recycling of solar panels costs more than can be recovered by selling the recycled materials, due to their low value. Thus, the challenge in encouraging the recycling of PV technology boils down to two questions:

• Who will fund it?

• How will these funds be managed?

Regardless of where along the value chain this cost is included, it will always be the case that the end-user will bear the cost of recycling; however, the location at which this cost is added can play an important role in ensuring that the available finances are used responsibly and correctly.

Encouraging the recycling of solar panels in South Africa will require cooperation between all players in the industry, including manufacturers, installers, users and recyclers. Without the recycling of solar panels, solar power is not so green after all – but with an efficient waste management system, we can ensure green energy for the future of South Africa.

Landfill Engineering, Auditing, Monitoring, Closure & Rehabilitation

Geosynthetic

Electric Leak Location Services (ELLS) Landfill Gas Management, Monitoring & Power Generation

Leachate Management & Treatment

Mine Waste Management, Pollution Control Systems, Closure and Rehabilitation

Integrated Waste Management

Recycling, Composting, Anaerobic Digestion & Thermal Treatment

Waste to Energy

celebrates 20 years National government programme of industrial efficiency

The NCPC-SA was set up at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (Unido). It was established within the CSIR, which still manages the Centre today.

The WSSD brought together tens of thousands of participants, including heads of state and international and national representatives of business, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), religious organisations and civil society to focus the world’s attention and direct action toward promoting sustainable development globally.

The NCPC-SA drives the transformation of industry to a green economy through the pursuit of excellence, empowering people, generating impact and welcoming collaboration.

One of the outcomes of the WSSD

discussions was the establishment of the NCPC-SA, originally to promote cleaner production processes in local industry.

The international network of National Cleaner Production Centres was led jointly by Unido and the United Nations Environment Programme. Together, they sought to advance sustainable industrial development and sustainable consumption and production in developing and transitioning countries.

The NCPC-SA became a flagship centre – a programme that would proactively engage industry to improve efficiencies, enhance sustainability and drive competitiveness.

Through the application of resource-efficient and cleaner production (RECP) methodology in industry, the Centre has supported almost 2 000 companies to do business in a more efficient and sustainable manner. RECP contributes to significant resource savings with surprisingly little investment – and often quick wins can pave the way to even greater savings.

The NCPC-SA marked its 20 years with two significant industry events. In May, the fifth biennial Industrial Efficiency Conference shared methodologies, case studies and opportunities for industry improvement.

On 2 September, almost exactly 20 years since the end of WSSD 2002, the NCPC-SA hosted a

In September, the National Cleaner Production Centre South Africa (NCPC-SA) officially celebrated 20 years of operations: two decades of assisting industry to do more with less, by moving to a resource-efficient and sustainable business model.

colloquium of presentations by sustainable development experts, examining the changing face of sustainability in the past two decades.

Both these sessions were recorded, and videos can be viewed any time via the NCPC-SA website, www.ncpc.co.za, under the Resources and Tools section.

Continued national relevance

Following the initial three-year pilot phase with Unido, the NCPC-SA was continued as a national industry support programme funded by the Department of Trade and Industry, now the dtic.

Gerhard Fourie, chief director: Green Industries, dtic, explained that the department’s role as the core funder of the NCPC-SA is to provide strategic direction to ensure that the Centre is aligned to the country’s industrial policy and environmental objectives.

One of the focus areas of the NCPC-SA, he said, has always been to contribute to the improvement of companies’ bottom lines and productivity

by improving their resource and energy efficiency.

“I want to congratulate the NCPC-SA on its successes during these two decades and thank it for making our job somewhat easier to get funding to support the initiative going forward.

The success of the NCPC-SA has encouraged donor funding from other governments, including the British, the Swiss, the German, and more recently the Government of Flanders,” Fourie said.

Free industry tools and resources

The NCPC-SA aims to further support South African industry and businesses through the RECP journey by providing tools on the website (tutorial videos, downloadable booklets and posters), technical advice, assessments and implementation of RECP in companies.

For more on these projects, case studies and tools, visit www.ncpc.co.za.

RECP implementation by the NCPCSA in numbers

This national industrial support programme has managed to save 6 500 GWh of energy, which translates into R5.3 billion in savings for industry and 6.4 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions mitigated through the Industrial Energy Efficiency Project.

In addition, the programme resulted in 6 330 professionals, 314 experts and 199 local trainers being trained; seven occupational qualifications registered with the the National Qualifications Framework; and 13 original training courses developed.

Through these energy savings, as well as over 500 000 tonnes of waste diversion by industrial symbiosis, 8.1 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions have been mitigated

The South African plastics recycling sector has come a long way with improved technology, better implementation of waste regulations, greater consumer awareness and growth in the market for recycled materials.

However, despite these developments, there have always been plastic material streams that are difficult to recycle and therefore end up in landfill or, unfortunately, the environment.

Seeking a solution to repurpose unrecyclable and/or difficult to recycle plastic packaging,

Polyco PRO NPC, a producer responsibility organisation (PRO) in South Africa that represents and promotes the recycling of all plastic packaging, has provided a R7 million, interest-free loan to the Centre for Regenerative Design & Collaboration (CRDC).

CRDC will be using the funding to purchase machinery for its plant in Cape Town, which converts unrecyclable and/or difficult to recycle plastic into eco-aggregate that is then used in the building and construction sector.

RESIN8 technology

CRDC is a global company with its roots in Costa Rica. It was founded by Donald Thomson in 2010, as a volunteer-based beach cleanup programme, and is presently recognised internationally for its contributions towards sustainable product design.

CRDC comprises a diverse, multidisciplinary group of experts in the packaging and food/ beverage industries, conservationists and award-winning designers working to create products, industrial processes and economic models that provide economic, social and environmental benefits.

The company also operates in South Africa, with a pilot plant based in Cape Town. Through its net-zero-focused business model, REAP (Recover – Enrich – Appreciate – Prosper), CRDC has created collaborative relationships between diverse industries, where the waste stream of one can become the value stream for the next.

RESIN8 is a process that can turn any plastic – dirty or clean, and in any form – into concrete modifier. The end results from this process are environmentally friendly products that incorporate regenerated waste plastics, which would otherwise be destined for landfills.

The CRDC designed this innovative solution to use commonly mismanaged plastic waste and convert it to an eco-aggregate called RESIN8. Through various initiatives and collection schemes, CRDC accepts all plastics.

The production of RESIN8 therefore contributes to increased recycling rates in South Africa and creates an output product that meets the acceptable building standards and is welcomed by the construction sector.

“One of the greatest challenges of the plastics and recycling sector has been finding a solution to repurpose and to reintegrate difficult to recycle plastics into the economy,” says Patricia Pillay, CEO at Polyco.

“Our focus is to make waste a valuable resource, keeping all plastics out of the environment through investing in recycling infrastructure. CRDC’s RESIN8 solution will divert thousands of tonnes of plastic that would have gone to landfill, or have landed up in the environment, but will now

instead supply the construction sector with a high-quality eco-aggregate to be used in the production of various concrete products.”

To produce RESIN8, waste plastic is first shredded and then mixed with mineral additives. The mixed material is fed through an extruder to produce RESIN8, which is then granulated into a concrete aggregatelike material. The RESIN8 granules are used as a replacement for natural aggregates in the concrete mix used in the production of a multitude of concrete products.

To date, RESIN8 has been used towards the construction of 700 houses in Costa Rica; in South Africa, it has been used in three largescale residential buildings in Khayelitsha and about 2 000 m of roadside kerb and channels on various projects in Cape Town.

Big plans for SA

This RESIN8 plant in Cape Town will be the first of its kind in Africa, and only the third plant in the world.

“Our goal is to complete the construction phase before the year end and to be fully operational from March 2023,” says Abraham Avenant, CEO at CRDC South Africa.

“Once operational, the plant will be able to process 610 tonnes of plastic waste per month into RESIN8.”

To determine the viability of RESIN8 as a construction aggregate, multiple concrete manufacturers partnered with CRDC’s South African team to test RESIN8 in building blocks, maxi bricks, pavers, kerbs, channels and concrete pipes.

Using RESIN8 decreases weight, increases or maintains strength, and increases the thermal properties of concrete bricks and blocks, which adds additional environmental benefits.

“The Cape Town RESIN8 plant has been designed to be scalable and we aim to increase our production to 1 220 tonnes of plastic waste per month. Our ambition is to replicate the Cape Town RESIN8 plant in a further two cities before the end of 2023,” concludes Avenant.

KEY BENEFITS OF RESIN8

The porous composition and gradation of RESIN8 improves both the mechanical and chemical bond to cement. It has numerous key benefits, which include:

Within concrete and construction:

• increases strength

• 8% to 16% decrease in weight (with 5% or 10% RESIN8)

• increases thermal properties

• same fire resistance as with standard concrete

• reduces cement industry’s carbon footprint.

Environmentally:

• supports and grows the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals

• reduces carbon footprints by eliminating plastic to landfill and plastic pollution

• all types of plastic can be regenerated into RESIN8 – no separation required

• supports zero waste to landfill, extended producer responsibility and government programmes or initiatives.

Social and economic:

• SMME and job creation from waste plastic collection, plastic shredding and transport

• cleaner cities and healthier environments

• helps support the building of better housing with a product that benefits the environment and society.

CITY OF CAPE TOWN’S FROM ESKOM GRID GAINS MOMENTUM

drive away

During June 2022, the City of Cape Town published a 10-point plan to end load-shedding in the city and move away from Eskom’s grid. The plan, which was addressed to President Cyril Ramaphosa, came as the country faced unprecedented bouts of blackouts.

The City’s dual efforts to reduce emissions associated with landfill sites and reduce reliance on Eskom continued to gather momentum. The

landfill gas wellfield and flaring system at Vissershok Landfill will begin operations soon to complement existing systems at the Coastal Park and Bellville landfills.

The City is also making steady progress toward the generation of electricity from landfill gas. For the next three financial years, a total of R86.4 million has been budgeted for the operation and maintenance of the recently completed system at Vissershok. Furthermore, a system to convert landfill gas

from this site into electricity is being designed for implementation around 2024/25, at an estimated cost of R197 million.

Mitigating methane

Alderman Grant Twigg, MMC for Urban Waste Management, City of Cape Town, explains that organic waste that decomposes inside a landfill is a significant contributor to climate change.

“When organic waste breaks down in a landfill it produces landfill gas, which is a very potent greenhouse gas that contains methane. The incoming ban on organic waste being sent to landfill will help mitigate carbon emissions from landfills in future, but we also needed a solution to prevent emissions from organic waste that is already in the landfill,” says Twigg.

“This is why the gas extraction and flare system will be put in place initially to burn off the gas before electricity generation equipment is installed. Production of electricity from this gas will also help reduce society’s reliance on fossil fuels, while reducing climate and health impacts.”

The methane produced on landfills is known to have a global warming potential approximately 25 times greater than carbon dioxide. To reduce emissions from the landfill, wells are dug into the landfill site to extract the gas. These wells are then connected to the flare compound, where

The City of Cape Town’s drive to end loadshedding and move away from Eskom’s grid has received yet another boost, with the completion of its landfill gas wellfield and flaring system at Vissershok Landfill.

it will initially be combusted/flared, and in the future be diverted to a gas engine to generate electricity. Currently, the City is in the process of appointing a service provider to operate and maintain the recently constructed gas wellfield and flaring system at Vissershok. Furthermore, the gas turbine electricity generation system for this site has entered the design phase, with the first 2 MW generation infrastructure scheduled for implementation in 2024/25, increasing thereafter to between 7 MW to 9 MW of generation capacity by 2026/27, depending on gas yields.

According to Eskom, 1 MW is enough to power around 650 average homes in South Africa, meaning that this system could potentially supply power for up to 5 850 average homes.

Carbon credits

Like similar systems at the Coastal Park and Bellville South landfill facilities, the project

has been designed in such a way that the City can earn carbon credits. A carbon credit is earned when an entity destroys one tonne of greenhouse gas that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere.

The City of Cape Town Council recently resolved that these carbon credits would be auctioned off on the South African market to companies who need or want to offset their carbon emissions. Proceeds from the auction will be ring-fenced to fund urban waste management projects that reduce the health and pollution impacts of waste, and that will generate additional co-benefits such as job creation for communities.

“At this stage, it is still too early to determine accurately how much greenhouse gas will be destroyed over the life of the project, or how much money the City will save by offsetting our reliance on Eskom, as it depends on gas yields that could vary over the 15-20 year lifespan of the project, depending on patterns of organic waste disposal in the City.

“However, current estimates show that, between the sale of carbon credits and the expected reduction of bulk

electricity purchases from Eskom, the project should pay for itself at least,” stresses Twigg.

He adds that it is difficult to predict how much gas the landfill will produce; therefore, the project design has been formulated to allow for adaptation based on various scenarios that could be experienced over time. Even if electricity is not produced, the system will still earn carbon credits.

“Although the expected contribution of wasteto-energy activities is not sufficient to reduce load-shedding on their own, the reduction in emissions is significant and will be achieved effectively at no additional cost to the ratepayer.

Approximately 6 to 10 skilled or semi-skilled jobs (i.e. technicians) will be created in the operation and maintenance of the system. In addition, approximately 50 unskilled labourers are also required to assist with excavation during wellfield expansions.

SUEZ acquires SA’s largest waste management company

SUEZ – together with Royal Bafokeng Holdings (RBH) and African Infrastructure Investment Managers – has completed the acquisition of EnviroServ Proprietary Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries, after having received approval from the local antitrust authorities.

This acquisition will enable SUEZ to reinforce its positioning as an international leader in

industrial and municipal waste treatment activities and to strengthen its position on the African continent. Besides the good news of foreign direct investment, there are also great angles like the circular economy and their plans to bring new treatment modes like waste-to-energy (W2E) to South Africa.

“W2E is a cornerstone of waste management in industrialised countries. For waste that

South Africa’s largest waste management firm has been acquired by SUEZ, a global leader in industrial and municipal waste treatment.

Stéphane Heddesheimer, CEO: Hazardous Waste & SVP Performance, SUEZ

cannot be recycled, W2E solves the problem of landfill airspace. It delivers electricity to a grid and/or steam to an industrial process, replacing fossil fuels,” says Stéphane Heddesheimer, CEO: Hazardous Waste & SVP Performance, SUEZ.

“There are more than 2 500 W2E facilities in Europe, Asia and America, and technologies are fully safe and proven. I am confident that, given the need for power, W2E can be developed in South Africa.”

Heddesheimer adds that SUEZ also has a track record of successfully investing in long-term water and waste infrastructure projects, and can commit its resources to merchant projects, or under public-private partnerships (PPPs).

“Either way, our unique value proposition is that we do not only invest our capital, but also design and operate the water or waste treatment facility. In PPPs, we engage with local and central governments to develop balanced and bankable contractual structures. This is particularly helpful to attract long-term financing from international financing institutions, such as the World Bank, as it provides comfort to financiers that the technology is robust and the operation will be cost-effective.

“Lack of the same has caused many waste infrastructure projects to fail in the past. Investors and lenders are eager to invest in projects together with SUEZ, as they know we have a track record of successful developments and operations. Leveraging on the capabilities of both the public and private sectors is key to the development of a more circular economy,” says Heddesheimer.

About EnviroServ

Founded in 1979, EnviroServ collects, treats and disposes of general and hazardous waste to treatment and disposal facilities across South Africa, Mozambique and Uganda. With a staff complement of 2 200 people and a turnover in excess of £80 million (R3.56 billion), it is the only player in South Africa with full national coverage and a complete offering for industries (including on-site management, collection, treatment, remediation and related services).

EnviroServ’s portfolio of customers includes a high number of multinational firms operating in the petrochemicals, manufacturing, metallurgical and mining sectors.

EnviroServ contributes to the circular economy by recycling 125 000 tonnes and managing 1.7 million tonnes of hazardous and general waste per year. The company owns and operates a fleet of 175 specialised waste transport vehicles, 10 treatment and disposal sites, and manages a further five facilities within its three countries of operation.

Thanks to the large portion of local shareholding, EnviroServ will remain committed to retaining its BBBEE Level 1 rating – the highest level possible.

Dean Thompson, CEO of EnviroServ, says the company is looking forward to the knowledge it will gain from the acquisition.

“The delivery of sustainable waste solutions to the African market is a critical need for the continent. We are looking forward to the wealth of knowledge and experience that our new shareholders will bring to the South African waste markets. This will further

enhance our existing product and service offering, and create a robust platform for innovation and growth.”

The new shareholders’ ambition is for EnviroServ to grow as the undisputed leader of environmental services in South Africa and the region, leveraging on its strong capabilities and SUEZ’s support to invest in infrastructure and operations, enrich its commercial offering, and develop new waste treatment modes contributing to a more circular economy.

Leading locally

Sabrina Soussan, chairperson and CEO of SUEZ, says the EnviroServ team has a unique track record over the last 40 years, which enabled the company to become the leader in hazardous and non-hazardous waste treatment activities in Southern Africa.

“I am convinced that SUEZ can further nurture the profitable growth of EnviroServ with additional references, best practices, innovation and investments. I am equally convinced that the team’s skills, expertise and talents will support SUEZ Group in expanding its activities in South Africa, as well as in other geographies. With all Group employees, I would like to welcome our new colleagues and look forward to a bright, common future.”

SUEZ is a global company, with 35 000 employees worldwide, providing access to water and waste services with innovative and resilient solutions in more than 40 countries. The acquisition of EnviroServ fits with SUEZ’s strategic focus, among others, on waste management and selective growth in key international markets. As the leading waste management company in South Africa, EnviroServ will contribute to strengthening SUEZ’s leadership in waste management businesses.

EnviroServ will not only help the company in becoming the leader of industrial waste management in South Africa, but it will also be the perfect springboard to address some of the region’s most pressing environmental challenges.

“As the first waste and water management platform investment for RBH, we are pleased that the EnviroServ acquisition is now complete. This is an opportunity to further diversify our portfolio and grow our exposure in the circular economy. We look forward to working with our partners as we strive to make a meaningful contribution and respond to the sustainable development agenda,” says Albertinah Kekana, CEO of RBH.

Present on the African continent since the construction of the Sherbine water treatment plant in Egypt in 1948, SUEZ has built more than 500 drinking water and sanitation plants that service most African capitals.

SUEZ is notably present in Morocco, Egypt, Senegal, Tunisia and Ivory Coast.

GREEN HYDROGEN: Southern Africa’s time is now

The circular economy presents a promising strategy for supporting sustainable, restorative and regenerative agriculture.

Generated from renewable energy and capable of decarbonising industries that traditional renewables cannot tackle alone, green hydrogen has been getting a great deal of attention. Additionally, green hydrogen opportunities become even more attractive thanks to several shifts in the global environment.

The world’s steadily growing demand for hydrogen is expected to exceed supply by 2030, making now an ideal time to invest. Green hydrogen’s ability to store renewable energy holds one especially intriguing possibility: it can be transported.

This is achieved by transforming it into a portable product such as ammonia, methanol or an e-fuel, and work is underway to develop a

way to transport liquified green hydrogen over long distances without having to transform or reprocess it.

A recent study by global management consultancy Kearney and energy company Uniper notes that Southern Africa – which is one of the geographies with favourable conditions for renewable energy production – will be able to store renewable energy and export it to areas where renewable energy production is technically or economically limited.

Prashaen Reddy, partner at Kearney, says although Southern Africa has a major opportunity to produce green hydrogen, the region’s demand is projected to be lower than the demand centres in Europe and Asia.

“For example, South Africa, the region’s most industrialised country, is projected to reach a

demand of only 238 kt by 2030. This means that – with the region’s relatively low demand, the favourable production climate, and the limited impact of transport costs – Southern Africa is poised to become a green hydrogen export hub.”

Winning in Southern Africa’s green hydrogen market

Looking beyond the theoretical merits of green hydrogen to the tangible strategies to meet global demand, Reddy believes five moves can put market entrants on the path to success as they seek to establish green hydrogen production facilities in Southern Africa.

• Gain government support in establishing a conducive regulatory environment: The government has a central role to play in

the energy transition, with market entrants’ success impacted by the level of government buy-in and a clearly defined green hydrogen strategy. Governments set policies that impact both the speed and direction of the energy transition, and they create the regulatory environment that supports the development of production facilities and the attractiveness of the location for investors.

• Establish public and private partnerships to de-risk projects: Because of the market’s nascency, any new development will have a variety of project and operational risks, making it more difficult to secure funding for the project itself and any offtakers. To be successful, market entrants will need to establish three partnerships to attract funders and offtakers: public partners (state enterprises, state agencies and governments), offtake partners and technology partners.

• Overcome infrastructure barriers and capitalise on the opportunities: As with any major project, significant amenities are required. Sizable green hydrogen projects, such as some announced gigascale projects, also require vast areas of land to produce renewable power.

• Secure funding: As with any megaproject, and more so for nascent technologies with inherent risk, securing adequate funding

is complex. Funding from multiple sources is often required. Kearney’s market sensing study of the Southern African renewables ecosystem identified the main archetypes for investors interested in financing renewable energy projects, each with a unique value proposition, risk appetite, and expectations for a return on investment.

• Drive the just energy transition: Africa’s energy mix is predominantly carbonbased. For example, South Africa gets about 90% of its electricity from coal. The coal value chain directly employs about 150 – jobs that are at risk amid the transition to a low-carbon economy. Green hydrogen will be a fundamental part of the region’s just energy transition, which the International Labour Organization defines as occurring “in a way that is as fair and inclusive as possible to everyone concerned, creating decent work opportunities and leaving no one behind.”

Success as an early entrant

According to Reddy, South Africa offers an attractive opportunity for new entrants in the green hydrogen sector. With limited local demand expected, the region is poised to be a key exporter to demand centres in Europe and Asia.

However, as a nascent industry in an underdeveloped region, several obstacles

mentioned must be carefully considered along with the strategies for enabling success.

There are many benefits and opportunities, as it comes as a complete package, promising profitable enterprise, new jobs and more environmental sustainability in the region.

“Ultimately, green hydrogen production is fundamental to Southern Africa’s just transition away from coal. With an eye on realising shared value, the strategies discussed in this article can be achieved with an integrated approach – achieving commercial success while also locking in a variety of social benefits,” concludes Reddy.

Ultimately, green hydrogen production is fundamental to Southern Africa’s just transition away from coal.

Upcoming EVENTS

2022

Venue: CTICC, Cape Town

Date: 7 to 9 March 2023

Website: https://africaenergyindaba.com

The 15th Africa Energy Indaba Conference –taking place from 7 to 9 March 2023 – will debate and seek solutions to enable adequate energy generation across Africa. A diverse group of luminaries and high-profile speakers will share their real-world insights about the changing energy landscape in Africa. The Africa Energy Indaba is the definitive energy conference for Africa providing an

annual programme that shapes energy policy for the African continent.

Learn more about energy policy and the role of government, energy funding, green hydrogen, grid technologies, renewable and cleaner energy, energy storage and energy efficiency.

What will be discussed?

• Explore what is needed to meet the rapidly growing need for energy access in Africa in the next 25 years.

• Learn more about energy policy and the role of government, energy funding, and green hydrogen.

• Learn about disruptive business models, the need for innovative financing solutions, and the impact of Industry 4.0 in the energy sector.

• Hear more about evolving grid technologies, renewable and cleaner energy, energy storage and energy efficiency.

Venue: CTICC, Cape Town

Date: 16 to 18 May 2023 Website: https://enlit-africa.com

Enlit Africa hosts Africa’s entire power and energy industry in this premier conference and exhibition space. As the leading platform, the conference gathers Africa’s energy community for three days to meet and inspire each other in Cape Town from 16 to 18 May 2023.

Enlit Africa includes live and digital events, exhibitions, and exclusive one-on-one interviews with leaders in the energy sector.

Host publication ESI Africa supplies compelling energy news and media content. In addition, there are product launches, innovative technology showcases, and more. Enlit Africa will focus on four conference themes, each linked to the management and operation of the power sector:

• Track 1: Strategic management, finance and investment.

• Track 2: Smart energy, transmission and distribution and beyond.

• Track 3: Energy storage and alternative solutions.

• Track 4: Generation.

Enlit Africa is now open for pre-registration. Enquire online for ticket or branding information.

From waste to resource

With over 40 years’ experience in the waste management industry, collaboration with customers is how we drive the circular economy.

We implement agile and innovative waste solutions, proudly ensuring environmental peace of mind through our commitment to industry standards.