Resource August 2015

The official journal of the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa

Promoting integrated resources management

Recycling

ISSN 1680-4902 R50.00 (incl VAT) • Vol 17, No 3, August 2015

Reusing oil made easy

Landfills

Wrapping up food waste

Cleaner Production

The virtual utility today

Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa

Event Watch Italian flair for local fair

AAD Grou p o f Co m pa n i es Delivering a new standard in waste management vehicles

In the Hot Seat “As a sector, we are committed to increasing our recycling rates and further developing end-use market opportunities to increase our contribution to the green economy.”

Cheri Scholtz, PETCO CEO P10

is printed on 100% recycled paper

Packaging equipment company BOBSA Machinery joined forces with plastic machinery and service company RIZBERG Technology. This partnership has allowed us to become a leading force in the paper and plastic industries.

BOBSA MACHINERY / RIZBERG TECHNOLOGY CONNECT NOW

With over 40 years of combined experience, Bryan and Maurizio offer capital equipment for the recycling and waste management of most types of material.

BOBSA and RIZBERG also sources and supplies Peripheral / Auxiliary equipment for their range of machinery from several manufacturers in Taiwan.

Service Interventions

Tel : 021 556 2756 Fax : 086 672 6526

BOBSA and RIZBERG has a network of technicians countrywide that are available to conduct service interventions at the customer’s premises.

The local technicians are re-trained on existing equipment and updated on new developments on a regular basis.

Machine Installations

On all new machine installations we insist that the manufacturer’s engineers works with the BOBSA senior engineers for the duration of the installation and training. In this way the BOBSA engineers are able to address any problems on the maintenance and service of the machine during and after the guarantee period.

Spares and Administration Office

The BOBSA administration office is based in Table View, Cape Town.

Orders for spares can be placed at the office with spares@bobsa.co.za and will be processed and tracked until delivered to the customer The team at BOBSA and RIZBERG remain at your full disposal for any further information – we can assure you of our personal attention at all times.

ADMINISTRATION Marylou-marylou@bobsa.co.za SPARES Shanaaz : spares@bobsa.co.za

SALES Bryan-bryan@bobsa.co.za (083 447 7391) Martyn-martyn@bobsa.co.za (082 453 7607) Maurizio-maurizio@rizberg.co.za (083 492 9054)

BOBSA CARE Pierre-pierre@bobsa.co.za (074 149 9198)

WWW.BOBSA.CO.ZA

contents www.3smedia.co.za ISSN 1680-4902, Volume 17, No.3, August 2015

Biodiversity

The official journal of the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa

Promoting integrated resources management

Recycling

Landfills

Cleaner production

Wrapping up food waste

The virtual utility today

ISSN 1680-4902 R50.00 (incl VAT) • Vol 17, No 3, August 2015

Reusing oil made easy

Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa

The ReSource team stands firmly behind environmental preservation. As such, ReSource is printed on 100% recycled paper and uses no dyes or varnishes. The magazine is saddle stitched to ensure that no glues are required in the binding process.

Event watch Italian flair for local fair

On the Cover

AAD Group of Companies managing director Willie van Wyk reveals why Dulevo Veloce street sweepers are faster, more resource efficient, and boast better air filtration than anything else on the local market.

A AD Grou p o f Com pAnies Delivering a new standard in waste management vehicles

In the Hot Seat “As a sector, we are committed to increasing our recycling rates and further developing end-use market opportunities to increase our contribution to the green economy.”

Cheri Scholtz, PETCO CEO P10

is printed on 100% recycled paper

ReSource offers advertisers an ideal platform to ensure maximum exposure of their brand. Companies are afforded the opportunity of publishing a cover story and a cover picture to promote their products and services to an appropriate audience.

Please call Tazz Porter on +27 (0)11 465 5452 or +27 (0)82 318 9308 to secure your booking.

Regulars

Recycling

Recycling

President’s Comment

3

Clean-up and Recycle Week SA 11

Editor’s Comment

5

Tonnes more recycling suppor t 15 Learning about bioplastics

Cover Story

17

Committed to the environment 19

AAD Group of Companies Sweeping the board

6

Recycling oil made easy

20

Shining the green light on lamps 23

Biodiversity The devil in the deep blue sea

8

Resource recover y reliability

25

Sustainability Heroes Championing customer ser vice 27

Hot Seat

12

PETCO CEO Cheri Scholtz explains why PET has the highest recycling rate in the world compared to other secondary materials and how the local industry is keeping pace.

Landfills Beyond the well

28

Wrapping up food waste

31

The vir tual utility today

infrastructure4

35

Event Watch Italian flair for local fair

39

Event round-up

44

in association with infrastructure news

Landfills

Cleaner Production

}

www.infrastructurene.ws

Cleaner Production ReSource August 2015 – 1

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President’s Comment

What you need to know IWMSA president Suzan Oelofse outlines two exciting upcoming events for institute members and other interested stakeholders, and provides an update on some of the waste industry’s latest laws, norms, and standards.

T

wo exciting IWMSA events, which should not be missed, are planned for September and October. Landfill 2015 is, again, organised jointly by the Landfill and Waste Treatment Interest Group and the Geosynthetic Interest Group of South Africa, with the theme: ‘Advances in waste treatment and engineered landfill environment’. Come and join about 150 like-minded individuals, on 15 to 16 September 2012, at the Waterval Country Lodge in Tulbagh. The second, equally exciting, event to look forward to is the conference organised by the Eastern Cape branch of the IWMSA, taking place at the East London IDZ, on 14 to 15 October, with the theme: ‘The road to zero waste’.

I am also pleased to inform you that the review of the IWMSA Constitution is progressing well. Issues addressed in the review include alignment with changes in tax law; removal of ambiguity, as it relates to nominations on to branch committees and voting rights of committee members; and provision for special/interim elections in cases of resignations by office bearers. The proposed amendments will be circulated to members to vote on, before they will take effect.

A notice to this effect will be circulated to members and you are kindly requested to respond to it. The IWMSA training material has been updated to include the latest developments on legislation, alternative treatment technologies, and different aspects of recycling. Trial courses will be run early in September.

There was much important news from the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), as shared at the Industry Waste Management Forum meeting on 9 July 2015: • The Waste Act Implementation Guide for 2015 should be ready and available on the SAWIC website from the last week in July 2015.

• The recruitment of staff for the Waste Management Bureau is underway, with the first positions for an economist and engineer advertised in July 2015.

• The finalisation of the pricing strategy was delayed, due to the large number of submissions received, but the DEA expects it to be finalised by the end of September 2015.

• The next National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Bill (NEMLA 4) is likely to be published for public comment towards the end of August/beginning of September 2015.

• The Waste Tyre Regulations are under review and will be amended to align with NEMWA. • The draft Waste Exclusion Regulations has some unintended consequences.

The identified challenges are under legal review and the approval processes is, therefore, delayed, pending resolution of these challenges.

• The Regulations on Residue Stockpiles and Deposits should be ready for publication by the end of July 2015.

• The waste management activities list was amended to include residue stockpiles etc.

• T he DEA is planning a back-to-back Chemicals and Land Remediation Summit with the UNEP Ozone Meetings in Durban on 21 to 25 September 2015.

Finally, the National Cleaner Production Centre of South Africa (NCPC) did a presentation at the industry waste management forum, outlining its activities and introducing the Gauteng Industrial Symbiosis Project.

If any industry is interested in increasing its efficiencies, relating to energy, water, input material, or waste, Henry Nuwarinda, at NCPC, is the person to contact for a free efficiency assessment.

Suzan Oelofse, president, IWMSA

Patron members of the IWMSA

ReSource August 2015 – 3

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Editor's Comment Publisher: Elizabeth Shorten Associate publisher: Nicholas McDiarmid Editor: Frances Ringwood Tel: +27 (0)11 233 2600 Head of design: Beren Bauermeister Designer: Ramon Chinian Chief sub-editor: Tristan Snijders Sub-editor: Morgan Carter Contributors: eThekwini DSW, Beatrix Knopjes, Raj Lochan, Renew Africa Client services & production manager: Antois-Leigh Botma Production coordinator: Jacqueline Modise Financial manager: Andrew Lobban Marketing specialist: Philip Rosenberg Digital marketing manager: Esther Le Roux Distribution manager: Nomsa Masina Distribution coordinator: Asha Pursotham Administrator: Tonya Hebenton Printers: United Litho Johannesburg Tel: +27 (0)11 402 0571 Advertising sales: Tazz Porter Tel: +27 (0)11 465 5452 Cell: +27 (0)82 318 3908 tazz@connect.co.za

Publisher: No.9, 3rd Avenue Rivonia, 2191 PO Box 92026, Norwood 2117 Tel: +27 (0)11 233 2600 Share Call: 086 003 3300 Fax: +27 (0)11 234 7274/5 www.3smedia.co.za Annual subscription: subs@3smedia.co.za R200.00 (incl VAT) South Africa ISSN 1680-4902 The Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa Tel: +27 (0)11 675 3462 Email: iwmsa@telkomsa.net All material herein is copyright-protected and may not be reproduced either in whole or in part without the prior written permission of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed in the magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher, editor or The Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa, but those of the author or other contributors under whose name contributions may appear, unless a contributor expresses a viewpoint or opinion in his or her capacity as an elected office bearer of a company, group or association. © Copyright 2015. All rights reserved.

Driving passion

T

his month’s edition of ReSource exhibits a completely unplanned simpatico between the South African waste management industry and its Italian counterpart. For starters, our cover story features the Dulevo 5000 mechanical suction sweeper, designed and manufactured in Italy. As a result of Cape Town needing to keep up a regular fleet of hard-working sweeping machines, the city has purchased five Dulevos.

After listening to Willie Van Wyk of ADD Specialist Transport Solutions talk about the handling, speed, manoeuvrability, environmental sustainability, and economy of Dulevo machines, it’s clear that these vehicles are the Ferrari of street sweepers (in engineering terms, not the price tag!). To find out about the feats of engineering that make this machine possible, see pages 6 and 7.

Similar markets At the Indutec trade fair, in June, I happened to catch a presentation from an Italian delegation of waste management specialists from Ecomondo, Italy’s biggest waste management trade event. Listening to these visitors was a real eye-opener: Italy has just 8 million more people than South Africa and their government is also large. Although one country is a fully industrialised grand old dame of Europe and the other is a leader in the developing world, there are a number of striking similarities in the waste management sector that open up possibilities for trade partnerships and knowledge sharing.

While Italy’s recycling rates are more than four times higher than South Africa’s, both country's can benefit from one another's experiences. Creating more municipal and business partnerships between these two countries could provide greater opportunities for both. Read more on page 39.

International event Finally, the International Waste Working Group will be holding its biennial conference in Sardinia in October this year. In this depressed economy, many of us will not be able to attend but the conference presentations listed on the Sardinia Symposium 2015 website look like they shouldn’t be missed.

I invite readers who are lucky enough to attend to please bring back as much information as possible, so we can all learn from international best practices and innovations to accelerate excellence in local waste management.

Frances Ringwood

ReSource is endorsed by:

Retraction: In our May issue, a number of inaccuracies crept into the article ‘Waste-to-energy breakthrough’ on pages 31 and 32. In the first paragraph, it is stated that Garth McFarlane is the founder of PlasWEn. McFarlane is, in fact, the founder of Responsible Waste Solutions, which is partnering with the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) on some aspects of the technology.

In addition, Necsa scientist Dr Jaco van der Walt has expressed an interest in elaborating further details and we will provide this opportunity to Necsa in a follow-up feature.

ReSource August 2015 – 5

Cover Story

Sweeping the board On 10 June this year, the City of Cape Town took delivery of five Dulevo 5000 Veloce street sweepers. These compact machines are faster, more resource efficient, and boast better air filtration than anything else on the local market.

D

ramatically decreasing litter, air pollution, and the potential for stormwater blockages and resultant flooding, the Dulevo Veloce was the obvious choice for cleaning South Africa’s premier tourism destination.

Capable of removing sand, leaves, and general litter from up to 25 km of kerb and road per day, the Dulevo Veloce ensures safer, free-flowing traffic conditions in the wet winter months. In addition, it boasts superior air quality results compared to truck-mounted sweepers. The Dulevo Veloce’s patented Gore filtration system removes 99% of PM10 (10 µ particle matter) and up to 63% of PM1.

“We, the AAD Group of Companies, are proud distributors of the Dulevo range of products manufactured and supplied by Dulevo International in Italy. Being longstanding suppliers to Babore, who has been involved in street sweeping in South Africa for many years, we are equally proud of this partnership culminating in the fulfilment of the City of Cape Town's specification requirements,” says AAD group managing director Willie van Wyk. In 2013, the AAD Group acquired a company that had already been involved with Dulevo

6 – ReSource August May 2015 2015

Dulevo Veloces are used to clean the Monaco racetrack and other similar tracks in Europe, due to their low water use, which creates drier, safer driving conditions International for a number of years. The relationship was formalised in a long-term distribution agreement and AAD began a lasting association with the brand. Dulevo, as a range of products, is widely distributed around the world and has been in operation since the mid-1970s.

performance will contribute towards Cape Town’s reputation as one of Africa’s cleanest cities. In attendance was City of Cape Town councillor Ernest Sonnenberg, AAD group chairman Roman Szymonowicz, and contractor Babore’s managing director, Swys Joubert. Making the trip all the way from Dulevo International’s headquarters – in Fontanellato, Italy – Lapo Pazzagli, Mario Pepe, and Davide Pinazzi were also on hand to demonstrate how the Dulevo Veloce can handle even the toughest kerbside debris.

Keeping a whole city clean is no mean feat and Sonnenberg sums up why the city decided to invest in top-quality sweepers. “As part of being a well-run city, we remain committed to taking a multitiered approach to keep Cape Town clean. These vehicles will be

Cape Town launch The launch of the five new sweepers was a cause for celebration for both the city and waste vehicles company AAD Specialised Transport Solutions, part of the AAD Group.

Representatives from the client, supplier, contractor, and manufacturer were present, eager to discuss how improved sweeping

In June this year, the City of Cape Town took delivery of five brand-new Dulevo 5000 Veloce street sweepers. Representatives from the city, distributor, contractor, and manufacturer were in attendance

Cover Story

Willie van Wyk, AAD group managing director

able to work efficiently on long stretches of arterial road, making these spaces cleaner, more pleasing to look at, and more environmentally healthy.”

Driving passion Van Wyk explains what makes these sweepers different to the more traditional truck mounted options: “Efficiency is the key. The maximum sweeping capacity of the Veloce is nearly four times that of a typical truckmounted unit. This is due to a number of factors. First, the sweeper’s patented mechanical suction system combines high-power vacuum suction with high-strength debris conveyor systems. This system not only uses less water than the alternative, but also drastically reduces collateral dust dispersal. By using less water, hopper capacity usage is optimised, translating to resource and cost savings, as well as improved environmental performance,” explains Van Wyk. Another factor contributing to the vehicles’ sustainability is that they require a single engine, as opposed to the two engines needed by truck-mounted sweepers. “This configuration lowers maintenance costs. Other features are the Dulevo Veloce’s enhanced operator comfort, manoeuvrability, and visibility on the road. It also incorporates a versatile brush system, including a front brush for simultaneous pavement cleaning – left or right,” adds Van Wyk.

Cost efficiencies Again, the Dulevo range of street sweepers is function-specific and, therefore, designed for cost-efficiency. This, combined with the replacement of contract cleaners with City of Cape Town services personnel, results in long-run ratepayer savings.

Technical expertise Van Wyk and his team’s enthusiasm for the product is evident from the way they describe its many features. “This passion

stems from the machines’ technology, design, and functionality. The Dulevo really is the pinnacle achievement in street sweeping technology and passion flows through each process – from manufacturing, through distribution, and on to operation. It just works – hard, efficiently, and with style,” comments Lloyd Farmer, AAD general manager sales & marketing: Specialised Transport Solutions.

Talking more about the diversity of the range, Farmer adds, “The model being operated by the City of Cape Town is the Dulevo 5000 Veloce; ‘5000’ refers to the hopper capacity, in this case, 5 000 litres. The Dulevo street sweeper is available from the versatile, articulated, curb-mounting 850 Mini right through to the new, high-volume, 6000 Revolution. There is also a range of ride-on sweepers of varying capacities to cater for industrial, car park, and warehouse needs, alongside many more applications.”

medium- and heavy-duty fully automatic transmissions – the standard in waste management vehicle transmission systems,” concludes Van Wyk.

Case study

AAD is about to take delivery of the first unit of the brand-new addition to the available fleet – the Dulevo 3000 Revolution. With an articulated arm supporting a front brush, at the front of the vehicle, the Revolution is capable of precision sweeping in even the narrowest sidewalk spaces.

Committed to innovation Development in the sweeper market is highly specialised and Dulevo International has a team of engineers in its R&D Department that constantly look for more innovative methods and tools, releasing new and improved offerings on a regular basis. “Revealing specifics about future products is obviously restricted till launch; however, expect more of the same passion for technology in the not-too-distant future,” says Van Wyk. A product of years of Italian engineering, the Dulevo Veloce inspires in its suppliers the same degree of fervour as Ferrari supercars do in motorsport fans.

There is a connection between the two vehicles: Dulevo Veloces are used to clean the Monaco racetrack and other similar tracks in Europe, due to their low water use, which creates drier, safer road conditions. “The Dulevo is specifically designed for its task, and years of experience and customer feedback, from all around the world, manifests in the Dulevo, which is state of the art and best in class,” says Van Wyk. In addition to Dulevo, the AAD Group offers a range of waste compactors under the McNeilus brand, own-brand AAD skip loaders, and a number of the other body conversions for peripheral support vehicles. “AAD Drivetrain Systems is also the sole distributor of the Allison brand of

Lloyd Farmer, AAD general manager sales & marketing: Specialised Transport Solutions, stands in front of Dulevo’s versatile, articulated, curbmounting 850 Mini – the only one of its kind in the country

Breaking news

The City of Harare is about to take delivery of two Dulevo 5000 Evolutions. The Evolution is the sister unit to the Veloce, boasting four-wheel steer technology for maximised manoeuvrability. Hesson Engineering Services is the local supplier to the city and chose Dulevo after extensive research into available alternatives. Again, a dedicated vehicle with the Dulevo level of efficiency is what made the decision for the client. A fact-proven comparative overall cost per m² swept on a Dulevo, versus truckmounted options, will always make the Dulevo the only alternative.

www.aad.org.za

ReSource August 2015 – 7

Biodiversity

The devil in the deep blue sea Recent international reports have demonstrated that the combination of increasing levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the Earth’s atmosphere, and poorly managed land-based solid waste and wastewater, will devastate marine biodiversity by 2050. By Frances Ringwood

W

hile it’s often assumed that coastal pollution is one of the biggest factors contributing to marine contamination and degradation, the truth is that land-based pollution and carbon emissions generated inland are by far the worst culprits.

Litter swept from rivers, lagoons, mangroves, and tributaries into the sea and CO2 released from energy-intensive industries such as mining, steel production, and coalfired power plants are contributing towards excess nutrients entering ocean waters.

This causes acidification, coral death, and cancers and hormonal changes in marine animals. Wastewater from improperly functioning sewage treatment plants is a further exacerbating factor. But, South Africans are

8 – ReSource August 2015

not powerless in preventing the devastation of our coastlines and oceanic environments.

There are local and international clean-ups, interventions, and funding incentives that can be leveraged effectively in the fight to preserve world oceans.

Ocean acidification Ocean acidification will start to rival climate change as the most important environmental hazard on the planet, if its effects are not mitigated and controlled. Factories and vehicles release CO2 into the atmosphere, about 25% of which is absorbed by oceans.

The result, according to Jane Lubchenco, former administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is that world oceans are now 30% more acidic

When poorly managed wastewater enters marine ecosystems, coral beds can become affected by algal blooms that consume escalated levels of ambient oxygen

than they were prior to the start of the industrial revolution. “This is not just something that will cause problems down the road, it’s actually something that’s causing problems right now,” says Lubchenco. Ocean acidification affects marine plants and animals, from the tropics to the poles. PH changes in marine water primarily affect delicate microorganisms at the bottom of the food chain, with knock-on effects reaching up to apex predators. “There are going to be serious direct and indirect consequences

Biodiversity for every ocean ecosystem on the planet,” says Lubchenco. The NOAA is an organisation, within the United States Department of Commerce, tasked with advancing scientific understanding of the carbon cycle and investigating how rising atmospheric CO2 and climate change affect the chemistry of the oceans and its marine ecosystems.

disposal and also takes into account agricultural run-off, oil spills, and dumping (both illegal and poorly managed municipal landfilling). Littering is a major contributing factor, resulting in giant oceanic trash island gyres.

Made up of slow-to-biodegrade materials such as plastic bags, balloons, glass bottles, shoes, and packaging materials, the largest of these gyres is the Great Pacific

Wastewater Responding to recent media coverage on effluent disposal into the coastal environment, South Africa’s Department of Environmental Affairs is currently conducting an investigation assessing all 121 ocean discharge points for whether intervention is needed, according to the stipulations of the National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act, 2008 (Act No. 24 of 2008). For some, these measures are too little, too late. Opposition party leader Mmusi Maimane believes the problem has reached critical proportions, having recently commented, “The largest polluter of our water is not mining, manufacturing, or any of the big industries; it is dysfunctional municipalities themselves – their neglected water treatment plants end up pumping sewage straight back into our rivers and dams, which ultimately winds up in the sea.”

The effects of wastewater contamination threaten both human and marine life: causing an increased prevalence of infectious diseases among bathers, as well as poisonous algal blooms. United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) data indicates that sewage contamination causes “a wide variety of acute illnesses including diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and hepatitis A.” In addition, these effects can be long-lasting, with a UNEP report further stating: “Pathogenic bacteria can survive in the sea from a few days to several weeks; viruses can survive in water, fish, or shellfish for several months; while the hepatitis virus can remain viable in the sea for over a year.” Biodiversity is also affected, as excess nutrients typically found in metropolitan wastewaters cause a rapid increase of algae, which consume oxygen needed by vital habitats like coral gardens and seagrass beds. Once these habitats are destroyed, the marine life they support also begins to disappear.

Land-based pollution According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), “80% of marine pollution comes from landbased activities.” This includes sewage

Ocean acidification will start to rival climate change as the most important environmental hazard on the planet, if its effects are not mitigated and controlled garbage patch. Estimated to be almost the size of Texas, this swirling pile of rubbish is also called the world’s largest landfill.

Since these gyres aren’t static, trash enters and exits on natural ocean currents where fish, oceanic birds, turtles, and marine mammals sometimes mistake plastic bags and packaging for food. In these cases, rubbish can entangle animals causing them to drown or, if ingested, accumulate in their digestive tracts, leading to starvation and death.

Ocean critical A report released in June this year, by the Japanese Nippon Foundation and the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Nereus Program, has indicated that the above factors will lead to a vastly different make-up of ocean life by 2050. At the launch of the report, Associate Professor William Cheung from UBC, who is also one of the co-directors of the Nereus Program, said, “The types of fish we will have on our dinner table will be very different in a few decades from now.”

He added, “Fishing nets will be catching more warm-water species and smaller fish; therefore, fish supply through both domestic and overseas fishing, as well as imported fish, will be affected.” The fishing industry, particularly in South Africa, has been described, by the WWF, as “overexploited and collapsed”. Globally, the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization estimates that approximately 85% of the world’s fish stocks are either exploited to their maximum or overexploited. These figures pertain not only to fish that commonly find their way to the table, but also rare and endangered species.

Taking action While there are a number of effective government and non-government organisations working to mitigate the effects of land-based pollution, research indicates that a greater global effort is needed.

One way everyday citizens can get involved is to participate in coastal and inland clean-ups targeted at raising awareness about marine pollution. Each year, Ocean Conser vancy, a US non-profit based in Washington DC, promotes an International Coastal Clean-Up where thousands of tonnes of waste are picked up before reaching the ocean. This year, the organisation is emphasising stopping pollution at its source, encouraging everyone to pick up litter, even if they live in landlocked areas. “Ocean trash isn’t an ocean problem; it’s a people problem – one that is entirely preventable,” states the Ocean Conservancy.

Likewise, when it comes to mitigating carbon release, industries heavily reliant on fossil fuels can make the choice to switch to cleaner and more energyefficient methods of production. For those who are unsure how to do this, South Africa has a National Cleaner Production Centre that assists with environmental assessment and monitoring services for industry. In addition, there is talk of the Department of Trade and Industry extending its Manufacturing Competitiveness Enhancement Programme grants for cleaner production funding beyond the 2017/18 period. With all of this local and international scientific data and support, the message is clear: there is never going to a better time to take action against ocean pollution.

Oil spills result in oceanic birds’ feathers sticking together, preventing buoyancy, which can lead to drowning

ReSource August 2015 – 9

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Recycling

Cleaning up coastal trash

E

very third week in September, thousands of volunteers from around the country participate in the annual Cleanup and Recycle Week SA. Last year, about 120 000 South Africans participated and, this year, organisers expect greater numbers.

Plastic bags, fishing line, aluminium cans, food wrappers, and cigarettes are some of the major culprits polluting local rivers, waterways, and coastlines, ruining the environment for marine animals, citizens, business owners, and tourists.

“Clean-up and Recycling Week SA was started as International Coastal Clean-up, in 1996, when Plastics | SA and Kwazulu-Natal Wildlife started an initiative to clean up the KZN coastline. This week, which takes place every year on the third week of September, was planned to coincide with Ocean Conservancy International’s oastal clean-ups,” explains Douw Steyn, Plastics | SA director of sustainability.

ReSource Ad 14 July_P.pdf

1

2015/07/14

From sea to land While the clean-up started out focussing on the KZN coast, it has grown to include the Cape coastline. After a few years, it became apparent that the majority of litter, originating from landbased sources, was improperly disposed of. For that reason, Clean-up Week grew into a national campaign, where all provinces now participate to prevent river, ocean, dam, coastline, and wetland pollution.

“Two years ago, we started saying we were cleaning up from ‘berg to beach’. The idea is that every South African, whether they be hikers, cyclists, runners, walkers, fishermen, or divers, would pick up any litter that they may happen to come across during that week,” says Steyn. Last year, there were 8 500 volunteers cleaning up the KZN coastline, 1 500 people in Umgeni cleaning up the mangrove and the Umgeni River, and 14 000 beachgoers participating in the Western Cape.

2:07 PM

Country-wide, participants numbered about 120 000. “Plastics | SA and our partners will be sponsoring 250 000 branded bags, which are handed out to assist volunteers.

We are also supported by a number of government and non-governmental organisations, and private companies including the glass, cans, paper and board industries, as well as oil converters, recyclers, brand owners, retailers, Brand SA, KZN Wildlife, Tuffy Manufacturing, Pick n Pay, Garbie (East Rand Plastics), and the Department of Environmental Affairs, to name a few,” says Steyn.

From 14 to 19 September, South Africans will work together in the fight against marine pollution and littering

ReSource August 2015 – 11

Hot Seat

Realising a vision PETCO was established 10 years ago, by visionary industry role players, to reduce the environmental and social impacts of PET products, and to realise the social and economic benefits that recycling provides. This investment by industry, and the commitment by PETCO, has achieved recycling rates comparable with developed countries. CEO Cheri Scholtz shares PETCO’s secrets to success.

above In the case of PET bottles, B2B recycling neatly closes the loop

What is PET and what kinds of products are manufactured using PET? CS Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is the rigid plastic labelled with the 1' code on or near the bottom of bottles and containers. It is commonly used for carbonated beverages, bottled water, milk, juice, sports and energy drinks, jars, punnets, tubs and trays for food items; bottles for household, personal care, and pharmaceutical products; and sheet and film for packaging. As with virgin PET, recycled PET (rPET) can be used to make many new products, including polyester staple fibre or filament used for apparel, home textiles (duvets, pillows, carpeting), automotive par ts (carpets, sound insulation, boot linings, seat covers), industrial end-use items (geotextiles and

12 – ReSource August 2015

roof insulation), and new PET packaging and bottles for both food and non-food products. It is generally blended in a ratio of virgin to recycled, depending on the application required.

Given that a recycling economy is dependent on raw materials, what is the key to sustaining supply cycles in line with demand?

Since the recycling of PET (as with many other waste streams) always competes with, for example, the price of virgin materials, economic support through incentives or subsidies is often required to sustain the end-use, demand-side market.

This is experienced locally and internationally, and so the possible incentives proposed through the National Pricing Strategy are very encouraging

in supporting future recycling markets. These incentives are currently provided by PETCO through the voluntary Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) levy collected from manufacturers and importers. The key to sustaining supply with demand is to ensure that the value chain remains viable, especially during periods of low commodity prices, which are largely influenced by the volatile economic market, oil price, the highs and lows of virgin polymer and staple fibre prices, and other competing textiles.

A viable supply chain attracts further investment in demand capacity, which, in turn, spurs the development of supply capacity. PETCO incentivises PET recyclers who collect and process bottles into rPET, in preparation for the manufacture of new products. This is necessary to support recyclers during these adverse cycles to ensure the long-term viability of projects. As part of our strategy, we

continue to focus on stimulating investment in infrastructure and innovation in the development of new end markets for rPET, as well as the stimulation of existing markets. We are positive about the fostering of innovation, as well as closing the gap between research and business development, and look forward to realising the vision of the Waste Research, Development and Innovation Roadmap for South Africa.

Tell us about your recycling partners and projects.

PETCO owes its success to its excellent working relationships with those recycling and project partners who have invested significantly in the collection and recycling of PET and end-use market development.

Both the number and capacity of our recycling partners and projects have grown significantly in the last decade, and we now have eight recycling partners

Hot Seat running 11 projects between them, with a combined maximum recycling capacity of about 100 000 tonnes per annum.

Together, these partners collect and purchase post-consumer PET on a nationwide basis, with their footprint growing all the time. Last year, R250 million was paid to collectors, and they generated R527 million worth of value back into the economy.

How does the South African PET bottle recycling rate compare with global PET recycling rates?

South Africa compares ver y favourably, especially considering the strides we have made in 10 years. We have grown our recycling rates from 16% in 2005 to 49% in 2014. We are on track to reach a rate of 50% this year, catching up to Europe, which is nearing 60%, and putting us ahead of the USA, which was at 31% in 2013. We are optimistic about meeting our target of 70% by 2022.

How do PET bottle recycling rates compare with other recyclate streams, and what is the secret to the sector’s success?

Globally, the PET bottle is among the most highly recycled packaging products. It is easily identifiable, not prone to as much

contamination from comingling in waste steams as other products, and is almost completely homogenous across all the bottles it’s used for. PET bottles are also made of one of the few polymers that can be recycled into the same form – a new beverage bottle – again. This neatly closes the recycling loop.

All these factors have been capitalised on by a group of committed producers who, through the establishment of PETCO, have self-regulated industry's EPR and grown the collection and recycling of post-consumer PET.

What does it mean to ‘close the loop’ in a circular economy, and how can this be demonstrated in PET recycling?

Closing the loop links the output of a process with the input of that process. In the case of PET bottles, we introduced Bottle-2-Bottle (B2B) recycling in 2009, with recycled PET bottles being recycled back into both food-grade and non-food-grade PET. Most of South Africa’s future end-use market growth will be in the B2B market, with hundreds of millions of rands recently invested by PETCO’s partners to install world-class facilities for expanding this production. Extrupet (based in Wadeville, Johannesburg) has expanded its Phoenix

A range of end products are made from rPET, including polyester staple fibre/ filament for various items, and new PET packaging and bottles

2014 stats

In total, PETCO’s projects recycled 64 108 tonnes of post-consumer bottles in 2014. That’s 1.5 billion over the year, or 4 million bottles per day – representing a 49% recycling rate on a bottle market size (excluding edible oil) of 131 920 tonnes. The total PET market grew by 6.6%, and recycled tonnage by 7.1%, which is a noteworthy achievement by any standard.

plant to incorporate the first Coca-Cola-approved B2B technology (made by Starlinger) in Africa. What this means is that post-consumer bottles will be recycled to the even higher standards required to make carbonated softdrink bottles.

In addition, Mpact Polymers is in the process of commissioning its brand-new B2B plant (using Krones technology), due to come into production towards the end of this year.

These are world-class facilities and significant achievements for South Africa and the continent.

environmental and social impacts from waste, creating access to valuable secondary resources, and creating social and economic benefits through recycling. In conclusion, industry-managed EPR is the best way to enable those who make products to be responsible for managing them and preventing waste. That way, both the environment and the consumer are protected.

Cheri Scholtz, CEO, PETCO

Why is creating a circular economy important, and how does PET recycling contribute towards this?

When considering the constraints of the planet’s resources, a circular economy for PET is vital to minimise the mining of virgin material and optimise the use of product already in the waste stream.

If we close the loop, we turn these secondary resources back into products. There are a number of benefits: offsetting natural resource use, reducing

www.petco.co.za

ReSource August 2015 – 13

Tonnes more recycling support

Recycling

R9 million worth of funds is available to polyolefin recyclers who are able to produce bankable plans to increase plastic tonnages diverted from landfill.

Funding opportunities Since POLYCO started its operations a little over two years ago, the company has already invested R17 million into various separation, collection, sorting, and recycling projects around South Africa, in order to increase the recycling rate. The second round of projects this year, aimed at collectors, is in the final stages of evaluation and is being announced in the first week of August. This will see an estimated R5 million being invested in the recycling industry. “We believe in giving the successful candidates a ‘hand-up’ not a ‘handout’.

"Three times a year, Polyco issues a call for proposals from either collectors or recyclers who need funding support to take their businesses to the next level. To enable this process, Polyco has developed a selfsustaining funding model,” explains Naudé.

Approximately 80% of the funding support Polyco provides takes the form of interestfree loans, repayable over three years. The loan repayment funds are then reloaned to

other successful applicants. The remaining 20% of funding support is in the form of grants, redeemed against growth volumes. “The more funding Polyco loans to the recycling industry, the more funding income we are able to generate for further project support, without having to increase the recycling levy from converters,” states Naudé. The company’s third call for proposals in 2015 will start on 17 August and

“We have set ourselves the goal of growing polyolefin recycling in South Africa by a further 300 000 tonnes, over the next five years. Mandy Naudé, CEO, Polyco “

P

olyolefins are among the most common types of plastics found in the home, making up about 70% of plastics packaging in South Africa.

These plastics, bearing the polymer identification codes 2, 4, or 5, are tough, resilient, and in high demand due to the fact that they are 100% recyclable. Polyco, the non-profit Polyolefin Recycling Company, is the material responsibility organisation tasked with driving growth in polyolefin packaging recycling.

“We have set ourselves the goal of growing polyolefin recycling in South Africa by a further 300 000 tonnes, over the next five years. We believe it is achievable and in-line with the Integrated Waste Management Plan recycling rate target of 35%, or 238 000 recycled polyolefin tonnes, in the year 2020.

This is an ambitious target when considering that the 2014 recycling rate achieved was 31.8% or 171 000 tonnes,” says Polyco CEO Mandy Naudé.

is focused specifically on supply-chain efficiency projects for mechanical recyclers. The final submission date for these proposals is 25 September this year.

Sustainable growth “We have budgeted about R9 million to invest in projects that would grow recycling production volumes, resulting in the long-term, sustainable growth of the polyolefin plastics recycling industry,” says Naudé. Common problems experienced by recyclers include supply-chain bottlenecks, due to material availability or logistic issues, and production constraints, due to insufficient capacity or unreliable, ageing equipment at their plants. “In order to improve the output and quality of their products, recyclers need to upgrade their wash plant facilities or invest in new shredding, granulation, extrusion, and testing equipment.”

These are often very expensive investments to make in an industry known for its small margins and high operating costs. By partnering with Polyco, however, these and many other improvements can be implemented cost-effectively. “Successful applicants also

enjoy the benefit of becoming part of the Polyco network, whereby they are referred business opportunities, connected to valuable networks, provided with media exposure, and offered general business support and advice, if required,” explains Naudé.

Selection criteria However, Naudé warns that applicants must prepare themselves for a rigorous selection process. “We do a thorough due diligence of each company we invest in, and require them to submit their business plan, detailing the support required to be able to divert more polyolefin packaging materials from landfill. The rand per tonne costeffectiveness of the potential investment by Polyco is an important consideration,” she explains. “All funding contracts are linked to projected volume growth, which is the key objective.”

Naudé concludes, “We look forward to receiving many applications from mechanical recyclers who would like to grow their existing business operations.” Application guidelines can be downloaded from the Polyco website, or call business support manager George Blackwood for more information.

Recyclers of plastic products bearing the 2, 4, and 5 polymer codes are urged to improve their facilities by applying for project funds, through submitting sound business plans

Mandy Naudé, CEO, Polyco

ReSource August 2015 – 15

Funded by: RFRESDDO2015

Recycling

Learning more about bioplastics W

e’re here today to learn more about advancements in the plastics industry. It is our responsibility, as environmentally conscious South Africans, to keep ourselves informed about new technological developments happening around the world,” said Plastics | SA sustainability director

on gauging the environmental friendliness of bioplastics. Bonten’s presentation was followed by a local perspective from CSIR researcher Dr Linda Godfrey, who spoke on ‘The impacts of bioplastics on South Africa’s waste and secondary resource economy’. The talks were attended by Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture Rejoice Ma-

The word ‘bioplastics’ conjures up images of cyborgs with plastic implants in a futuristic world where plastic bottles grow on trees. The reality is far different, but equally fascinating, where oil for the creation of plastics does indeed ‘grow on trees’.

By Frances Ringwood generations to meet their own needs. This definition was coined in 1987 by the World Commission of the Environment. Since then, there has been a change in consumer behaviour around the world – particularly in Europe – where consumers actively seek out more sustainable options,” said Bonten. The problem with this shift is that

"There has been a change in consumer behaviour around the world – particularly in Europe – where consumers actively seek out more sustainable options."

Douw Steyn, at the organisation’s recent Bioplastics Seminar. Held at the Plastics | SA Auditorium in Midrand on 2 June, the seminar included presentations on bioplastics from renowned world expert Dr Christian Bonten from Stuttgart University, whose topic was ‘Why plastics are an irreplaceable resource for the efficient progress of modern society’. His talk included insights

budafhasi, who received a special award, on the day, in recognition of her years of support for Plastics | SA’s clean-up and environmental initiatives.

Bioplastics spotlighted “The definition of sustainability is development that meets the needs of the present without jeopardising the ability of future

it is sometimes hijacked in the name of marketing, so that consumers will select packaging made with materials that are perceived as renewable, even if the total life-cycle analysis (LCA) environmental cost of that product is higher than other options.

For this reason, it is important that plastics users become conversant with what gains can be realistically expected through

ReSource August 2015 – 17

Recycling

Photo by Mthuthuzeli Nqumba

the creation and marketing of bioplastics. to ensure consumers are aware that bioR17 billion per annum. Therefore, the process of recover y presents oppor tuni“For starters, we need to understand the degradable plastics are not a free pass ties for job creation and labour-intensive difference between biodegradable plastics for littering. Another important difference approaches to recycling and recover y for and bio-based plastics – both are called to remember between South Africa and enterprise development. bioplastics but they are different. First off, Europe is that in European countries, like “When it comes to bioplastics, there biodegradable plastics require a biological Germany, there are industrial composting is a perception that because South process whereby organic matter is convert- facilities specially designed to process Africa still sends so much of its waste to ed to water, CO2, methane, and biomass by domestic biodegradable waste. Perhaps landfill, we should create biodegradable microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. there is an opportunity for South Africa, products.

The logic is these will break Bio-based plastics, on the other hand, too, to invest in such a facility? down in the environment before they can refers to plastics created using a renewcause long-term impacts. But this has able source of carbon, such as trees,” Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture Rejoice Mabudafhasi receives a special award from Anton raised concerns regarding the impact of explained Bonton. “What’s important to Hanekom, Plastics|SA executive director biodegradable plastics on the secondremember is that biodegradable polymers are not always bio-based ar y resources economy, par ticularly regarding plastics recycling,” and bio-based plastics are not always biodegradable. Some plasexplained Godfrey. However, the difference between biodegradable tics are both but there are excepand bio-based plastics means that tions on either side,” he added. there is more than one way to inteSources for bio-based plastics grate bioplastics into the national include sunflowers, sorghum, and waste management effor t. “One sugar cane. The reason it’s imporof the drivers for bioplastics tant to understand the difference acceptance, globally, has been between bio-based plastics and the oil price. biodegradable plastics is that it “Another is resource scarcity. makes a huge difference when There has also been a lot of performing an LCA to determine ENVIRONMENTAL STALWART RECOGNISED research conducted on bioplaswhat method of disposal will Deputy Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi is well tics from a strategic green indusresult in the biggest positive net recognised and highly regarded in the resource tries perspective. Scientists are environmental gains. management community. Since her appointment as exploring the viability of creating For example, non-biodegradable the Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and entirely new industries based on plastics with good structural integTourism in 1999, and various other environmental and the oppor tunities that bioplastics rity can be continuously recycled. water-related positions up until her recent deployment provide,” said Godfrey.

Such a process will have a lower to the Department of Arts and Culture, she has been environmental impact than sendworking shoulder to shoulder with South Africa’s ing a biodegradable plastic to Summing up environmentalist community. “Today, Plastics|SA is fortunate that Deputy Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi Ultimately, there is a place in the landfill. Also worth rememberhas been our patron for more than 13 years for our waste management value chain for ing is that some unscrupulous annual ‘Clean-up and Recycle SA Week’, which is set both different types of bioplastics. manufacturers will add starch to to happen on 14 to 19 September this year.

Whether Some studies have demonstrated their plastic stock so that plasplanting a tree, mixing cement, cleaning a river, or that biodegradable plastics are tics only appear to break down, fixing a tap, she has always been there with us. Today par ticularly suitable for agriculalthough polymers remain inert in we are recognising her for her dedication,” said Steyn. tural applications. Also, non-biodethe environment. gradable bio-based plastics could have a positive effect on the secondar y Development South African context resource economy through the creation Bio-based plastics are identifiable by a The CSIR’s Linda Godfrey looked at of jobs for waste pickers and recyclers. the practicalities of bioplastic producsmall germinating seed logo printed on Wor th remembering is that it’s up to the packaging. While bio-based plastics tion in the local market in the conthe engineers who select plastics and are produced in many different countries text of creating a secondary resources blends to decide what type of plastic economy.

“Looking at the local picture, around the world, no African country has works best. many of our landfills still have large peryet embraced the technology. Bonten said Learning more about bioplastics may that, although there are developmental centages of organic waste and plastic present a viable oppor tunity for local and economic opportunities presented by going into them. engineers to create products that are not Around 90% of the nation’s waste is bio-based plastics, there are also chalonly more cost-effective, but which will still sent to landfill for disposal.

In the lenges. First, waste sorting machines that also gain market traction for being green. process of doing this, we are losing separate waste based on weight can get With this in mind, can South Africa afford valuable resources essential to a growing confused and send biodegradable plastics to be left behind in the commercial develeconomy.

We estimate that the value of for recycling, which negatively affects plasthose lost resources amounts to about tic recycling stock. Second, it’s important opment of bioplastics?

18 – ReSource August 2015

Recycling

Committed to the environment This year, the United Nations World Environment Day, on 5 June, had the theme ‘Seven billion dreams. One planet. Consume with care’. One South African packaging giant observed the day by reaffirming its commitment to environmental stewardship.

T

environmental footprint and zero waste. any product bearing his year, World Environment Day According to Ntuli, Tetra Pak is committed the FSC logo suppor ts (WED) focused on responsible management of the planet’s natural reto developing, designing, and conducting forest management sources,” says Penny Ntuli, commuthe company’s operations with minimal that adopts environnications director at Tetra Pak South Africa. environmental impacts, and in ways that mentally appropriate, “That’s a theme Tetra Pak is closely aligned sociall beneficial, and promote the efficient use of resources. to.” The UN declared WED, in 1972, as a viable The company can supply FSC-labelled economically vehicle to help raise awareness on issues packages from anywhere in the world, management practices. related to the environment and encourage after receiving FSC Chain of Custody (CoC) Tetra Pak is committed Penny Ntuli, worldwide action for the sake of the environcer tification for all of its conver ting plants to reducing its environ- communications ment. WED is celebrated in over 100 counand market companies. This ser ves Tetra mental footprint across director at Tetra Pak South Africa tries and has grown into a global platform Pak’s commitment towards using renewa- the value chain and to ble resources rather than depleting natural doubling its recycling for stakeholders, as well as individuals, to resources. FSC is an international, non- rate of the post-consumer beverage carhave the opportunity of showcasing public governmental organisation that promotes tons to 40%, by the year 2020. Par ticularly outreach that would create positive impact responsible management of the world’s for the greater Middle East and Africa on the planet. forests. Its CoC cer tification allows wood regions, Tetra Pak’s strategy is to double Tetra Pak, the food processing and packaging solutions company, operates numerfibres to be traced at ever y step through the recycling rates by par tnering with local ous projects and programmes in support the supply chain, which ensures that recyclers. The company’s current levels of of the environment, such as recycling car tons in the region environmental education prostand at 21.2%.

The Forestry Stewardship Council is an international, non-governmental organisation that promotes responsible management of the world’s forests grammes for children, increas– its Chain of Custody certification allows wood fibres to be traced at every ing carton recycling rates, proRenewable packaging step through the supply chain ducing environmentally friendlier Additionally, Tetra Pak provides cartons, and maintaining Forest safe, innovative and, most Stewardship Council (FSC) cerimpor tantly, environmentally tification. “At Tetra Pak; we use sound products. The company has recently launched the environmental management world’s first fully renewable systems to assess and manage package – Tetra Rex, made the environmental impacts of entirely from plant-based, our activities. Respecting the renewable packaging mateenvironment has always been a rial. Tetra Pak was also behind hallmark of Tetra Pak, therefore, the innovation of the world’s we work towards using the least first bio-based cap for gableamount of energy and reducing top packages. the amount of waste produced,” says Ntuli.

2020 vision The company’s vision towards the year 2020 is to provide fully sustainable packaging, using only renewable materials, while leaving a minimal

www.tetrapak.com/za

ReSource August 2015 – 19

Recycling

Recycling oil made easy Raj Lochan, CEO of the ROSE Foundation, discusses how South Africa’s model for

industry-regulated responsible used oil management sets an international precedent, with the added benefit that it creates jobs through locally applicable collection procedures.

U

sed lubricating oil is unpleasant stuff – a bit of a witches’ brew, comprising degraded hydrocarbons (such as benzene, xylene, and toluene), heavy metals, and spent chemical additives – and the best method of dealing with it is to recycle!

How heartening, then, that the marketers of lubricating oils in South Africa have taken it upon themselves to be responsible for recycling their own products, once discarded, through the ROSE Foundation. ROSE stands for ‘recycling oil saves the environment’, and the non-profit organisation is supported by 19 member companies who manufacture and market lubricants in South Africa.

ROSE promotes the use of Sumpys, which are portable containers available for the doit-yourself motorist to drain car engine oil.

20 – ReSource August 2015

Once these containers are full, the used oil is taken for recycling at the nearest drop-off point. Collectors – ranging in size from small bakkie operators to large companies like OilXOil – collect oil from generators (work-

The collection of used oil is lucrative and provides employment to many previously disadvantaged individuals shops, factories, mines, and others) and sell it to approved processors who, in turn, add value to the product and sell it to users as a low-grade industrial heating fuel. A certificate of safe disposal is issued with every load of used oil collected. No such similar

ABOVE ROSE promotes the use of Sumpys, which are portable containers available for the DIY motorist to drain car engine oil

used oil management is known to run anywhere else in the world. The total volume of potentially recoverable oil is about 120 to 140 million litres per annum. This represents about 50% of the new lubricating oil sold in South Africa. The recovery rate, by all collectors in South Africa, is about 70%, which compares favourably with Canada, USA, and Australia.

Managing impacts Used lubricating oil is quite a harmful substance – containing many environmentally harmful components such as polycyclic

Recycling aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), some of which are carcinogenic. PAHs are formed during combustion in petrol engines and accumulate in the lubricant over time. Some of the additives in lubricant oil – notably organo-metallic compounds – can contaminate the environment. Harmful additives in used oil include zinc dialkyldithiophosphates, molydenum disulfide, heavy metals – such as lead, zinc, and chromium – and other organo-metallic compounds.

These damage the environment in several ways: they tend to accumulate in soil and water as toxic gases and harmful metallic dust particles. Furthermore, when used oil enters a waterway, it biodegrades very slowly, as it hampers oxygen access to the microorganisms that could break it down.

However, in contaminated soils, used oil can be biodegraded using fertilisers and appropriate bugs.

Raj Lochan, CEO of the ROSE Foundation

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Treatment methods Several treatment and disposal processes are available for used lubricating oil, ranging from kiln combustion, being used in explosives, or being re-refined back to base oil.

However, each process has environmental impacts. For example, with combustion in kilns, efficiency has to be sufficient to destroy all the harmful components in the used oil or they are simply released back into the atmosphere.

Before committing itself to used oil treatment options, ROSE had evaluated several disposal options and also commissioned a study, by the CSIR, to review the hazards presented by various oil recycling processes.

The ROSE Foundation had committed itself to the continuous improvement of oil recycling methods. In a life-cycle assessment on the used oil recycling options that were available in South Africa, the following methods were identified as being used currently:

taken to storage depots managed by ISO 14001 certified recyclers. Some of these are situated in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, Middelburg, and Durban. The used oil (after treatment) is later sold to the market as a low-grade industrial heating fuel. ROSE does not sell used oil to any recyclers in South Africa.

Used oil disposal The used oil collected in South Africa is sold to processors (licensed waste managers) who dispose of it through processing.

Generators of used oil are encouraged to use approved collectors and ISO 14001 certified processors for disposing of their used oil. Used oil is classified hazardous, as it contains toxic and harmful compounds and, therefore, has to be disposed of responsibly through a waste manager who is licensed by the Department of Environmental Affairs in Pretoria.

Environmentally approved storage facilities are located in Cape Town, Durban, Krugersdorp, Middelburg, Limeacres, Del mas, Rustenburg, Burgersfort, and Port Elizabeth. These facilities are owned and operated by the industry players. The total tankage capacity, nationally, exceeds 3.5 million litres.

Regulated oil recycling

• combustion without treatment • combustion after treatment • re-refining • kiln combustion • explosives.

Used oil is collected mainly from workshops, service stations, commercial truckers, factories, and heavy industry. It is then

The collection of used oil is lucrative and provides employment to many previously disadvantaged individuals. The model used in South Africa promotes free enterprise and incentivises used oil collections rather than subsidising operations. It operates free of any government levies and is globally lauded for its selfregulation by the lubricants industry in South Africa.

ReSource August 2015 – 21

ReSource May 2015 – 21

environmentally responsible

Cover strap

SPECIALISTS SERVICES Chemicals Division

The A-Thermal Chemical division is able to treat the following hazardous waste through thermal destruction: laboratory waste chemicals pesticides expired pure organo-chloride and organosulphide waste permanent destruction of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) cyanide waste decontamination of containers used in the chemical and pesticides industry sludges and wastewater/liquids contaminated with organo-chlorides heavymetal contaminated waste such as mercury waste

safe thermal treatment

of hazardous and toxic waste

Pharmaceutical Division

The A-Thermal Pharmaceutical Division specialises in permanent, secure destruction of pharmaceuticals. pharmaceuticals. Waste treated includes: finished pharmaceutical products (expired and discontinued) intermediate products raw materials quality assurance retention samples natural, homeopathic or complimentary medicine clinical trials laboratories in pharmaceutical industries medical devices cosmetic industries schedule 5 – 6 drugs (overseen by full-time on-site pharmacist)

CONNECT NOW 28 Keramiek Street | Clayville | Olifantsfontein | 1665 t +27 (11)316 1800 | f +27 11 316 4999 | e info@athermal.co.za 22 – ReSource May 2015

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Recycling

Shining the green light on lamps

R

eclite has been providing lamp waste solutions since 2010. The founder of Reclite, Patricia Schröder, pioneered lamp recycling in South Africa, starting in 2009. Schröder has worked closely with the lighting industry, successfully achieving a high level of awareness and education within South Africa. Reclite installed the first state-ofthe-art, Swedish (MRT) mercury recovery and lamp recycling plant in Africa and has since upgraded its lamp recycling capabilities to service new market demands. Reclite’s dedicated lamp recycling operation, with an H:H Waste Management Licence, and its accredited consolidation facilities are world-class facilities that meet all legislative and business-to-business requirements. The leading-edge MRT machinery utilised by Reclite is used in over 350 international recycling facilities and is strongly favoured by lighting manufacturers, due to its exceptional quality and efficacies of fractions recovered for reuse. Reclite prides itself on offering a high-standard, best-practice, holistic, and professional service to its clients.

Reclite recovers and recycles all types of lighting lamps, such as compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), linear fluorescent lamps (tubes), high-intensity discharge lamps (HIDs), light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and other associated lamp products, such as fittings and ballasts. The lamps are separated into their component parts – including the reclamation of the hazardous mercury – therefore offering a complete recycling solution.

Reclite tests all its fractions recovered in certified laboratories, and test results are used for proving suitability and cleanliness for further recycling or reuse in the same or new applications.

Reclite ensures that the recovered materials are responsibly used by compliant end users, and can certify that none of the recovered material will end up in landfill.

Apart from the government regulations prohibiting all lighting lamps in any shape or form from landfill, which come into effect from July 2016 (Government Gazette, No. 10 008, Volume 578, No. 36 784, dated 23 August 2013, p. 44), there are many other reasons or benefits why lamps should not go to landfill, these being: • removes mercury that enters the environment, which bioaccumulates in fish and plants, or river and ocean sediments • recovers resources for reuse • minimises waste to space constrained landfills • creates primar y and secondar y employment, and develops skills.

Reclite staff have the training, qualifications, knowledge, and experience to manage an environmentally sound, efficient, and well-managed professional recycling operation. Reclite adheres to the highest standards and, as a rule, complies with environmental and corporate ethics and social responsibility.

The company engages in hazardous awareness and education programmes, and workshops. Reclite is currently implementing ISO 14001 certification

ReSource August 2015 – 23

DON’T THROW YOUR OLD LIGHTS AWAY,

www.reclite.co.za Recovery and Recycling Services Countrywide Recovery and Recycling: Charged at a rate per kilogram or per lamp for smaller volumes Accept all types of lamp material: Crushed in drums or whole lamps Waste Manifest and Waste Transfer Note Customers receive a waste transfer note and waste manifest once the waste has been accepted Recycling Certificate: A recycling certificate is supplied once the waste is processed detailing the amount of lamps received and the percentages of fraction types recovered Supply of Safe and Re-Usable Collection Bins: Supplied high quality re-enforced bins can be re-used many times, working on a convenient rotation basis No On-site crushing required: Customers can choose to do away with crushing on-site Collection and Delivery: Reclite can deliver bins and collect waste countrywide in suitable tracked vehicles Training and Workshops: Training on legislation, different lamp types, storage of lamps, risks associated with lamps, PPE, occupational health & safety, safe handling and exchange of lamps, clean up procedures, and how to deal with an emergency (first aid and spills) Holistic Full Service: Wholesale supply of all lamp types and fittings, retro-fits, exchange of lamps and fittings by qualified personnel, lighting surveys for optimum lighting for buildings, energy efficiency surveys, take back of old exchange lamps for recovery and recycling International Services: Complies to all Basel Convention requirements

Gauteng: +27 (11) 825 0336 / 0486 Western Cape: +27 (21) 934 0039 Kwa-Zulu Natal: +27 (32) 525 8332 e-Mail: info@reclite.co.za

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CHANG WOEN MACHINERY CO.,LTD.

www.changwoen.com.tw

TEL : 886-4-2662-7809 FAX : 886-4-2662-7590 Mail : jako.kao@msa.hinet.net Mail / jako.kao@changwoen.com.tw

Recycling

Resource recovery reliability The secondary materials economy provides numerous environmental benefits and business opportunities. But, without the right equipment, margins shrink and the benefits are lost. That’s why recyclers need reliable machinery that’s stood the test of time.

U

sing the most-reliable international brands for recycling machinery, combined with excellent after-sales service, and regular service interventions from qualified, experienced engineers is critical for recycling business success and stability.

“While it’s important to select the right equipment for a given business – from an affordability perspective – it’s equally important for the equipment to run correctly.

Minimising downtime improves productivity and prevents costly storage issues,” explains Bobsa’s Bryan Parry.

Five years ago, packaging equipment company Bobsa Machinery joined forces with plastic machinery and service company Rizberg Technology. A combined 40 years of experience and knowledge has allowed the partners to offer a wider range of consulting expertise and maintenance services to paper, board, plastics, rubble, and tyre reuse companies.

“This par tnership has allowed us to become a leading force in the paper and plastic industries,” says Parry. Recently, the two companies added Godswill and Chang Woen machinery to their portfolio of highquality machinery suppliers.

Godswill for paper and board The first supplier to join the Bobsa-Rizberg team was Godswill. “Godswill has satisfied its customers with quality, security, and service since 1987 and has an excellent reputation within the paper machine field,” says Parry. “By maintaining a mentality of design innovation, Godswill is continually inspired to develop new products and manufacture excellent-quality machines,” he adds.

These measures assist to meet and exceed client expectations. Godswill’s recycling capabilities include a series of vertical-press baling machines, namely: the

GVB-series – the Open-End GB-series, the Closed-End GB-series – two-ram balers, and paper shredding machines. Enhanced performance is evident from the impressive output rates for Godswill’s baling press, which is about 300 sets annually. Machines manufactured by Godswill reach about 70 countries worldwide, including Australia, the UK, Japan, Korea, the USA, China, South-East Asia, the Middle East, South Africa, and Russia.

Godswill offers complete baling machines to suit diverse market requirements – from capacity to installation – and special devices where users have access to optimised solutions for their unique needs.

Continuing to grow Bobsa and Rizberg have had great success with the supply of the high-quality Godswill baling machiner y, and are looking forward to the same success with the Chang Woen recycling lines. Both of these supply agreements provide Bobsa and Rizberg with the machinery and services to grow even stronger in the waste handling and recycling sector.

Godswill GB-Series Automatic Baling Press – GB-0505F

Chang Woen for plastics, tyres, and rubble “Our latest partnership in our waste management portfolio is with Chang Woen Machinery. Chang Woen was founded in 1976, specialising in manufacturing recycling plants for low-density polyethylene film, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and waste tyre recycling lines,” says Parry.

An impor tant production concern for Chang Woen is resource recycling’s role in environmental protection. “Chang Woen has been cooperating with Japanese companies as well, with a view to provide the most-advanced and -efficient machinery, and expand its business globally,” he adds.

Chang Woen specialises in designing and manufacturing all kinds of high-efficiency crushers and breakers for the international market. Its professional fields include: PET recycling and processing plants, waste tyre processing plants, architectural waste processing equipment, agricultural plastic recycling and processing equipment, and industrial waste capacity reduction.

Recent partnership has allowed Bobsa Machinery and Rizberg Technology to become leaders in the plastics and paper recycling industries

Chang Woen’s plastic shredder SP-420/60205

ReSource August 2015 – 25

+27(11) 440 2072 c +27 (82) 747 1920 e sales@mfangano.co.za

t

/mfangano

www.mfangano.co.za Environmental Waste Management Equipment | Technology | Environmental Conservation

We are SOLUTION DRIVEN and aim to move away from the conventional sales of equipment and rather focus on tailor made solutions for our diverse clients.

Sustainability Heroes

Championing customer service

Pioneering a new and better way of doing business, this issue’s sustainability hero works with municipalities and contractors to deliver the right recycling machinery, at the right price, with the best environmental performance.

The Rockster R700S mobile impact crusher was specially developed for jobsites with limited space, as is typically the case for metropolitan municipalities

W

e don’t push our equipment on to the market but are, instead, driven by our customers’ needs. I enjoy sitting down with clients to understand their challenges and then assist them to find solutions – that’s why we’re called Mfangano Solutions,” says managing director James Kamau.

Mfangano Solutions is an environmental waste management company, supporting the vision of zero waste to landfill by providing a wide range of highquality recycling machiner y that meets Level IV US emission limits for superior environmental performance.

“We suppor t government’s goals of increasing recycling rates across waste streams while reducing landfilling. Our products create secondary raw materials, which are used in manufacturing and for energy production,” he adds.

Johannesburg case Last year, Mfangano Solutions supplied Pikitup with six Rockster rubble crushers, producing recyclate used in roads construction and other carbon-based materials.

“Pikitup is also running a fleet of four of our Rayco chippers. All of our equipment includes a three-year maintenance plan for 100% peace of mind,” says Kamau.

“Mfangano has trained Pikitup operators and keeps spare parts available at its premises. These measures prevent avoidable downtime and allow Pikitup to manage our building rubble and green waste more effectively,” says Christa Venter of Pikitup.

Service relationship The City of Cape Town’s waste management contractor, Landfill Consult, started working with Mfangano Solutions four years ago, when the company purchased three Rayco horizontal grinders. “Situated at our green transfer stations, these horizontal grinders have assisted us in reducing garden waste going to local landfills, saving our client valuable space and money,” comments Charlotte Moeketsi of Landfill Consult.

Equipment Not only does Mfangano Solutions supply crushers, chippers, and horizontal grinders but also wood shavers, screeners, brush chippers, stump cutters, forestry machines, and tyre shredders. “These solutions handle a broad range of waste streams including green waste, rubble, wood, and tyres.

Our product ranges are: Rayco and Terex Environmental Equipment for wood and forestry, respectively, Rockster for rubble. TSI Industries, which farmers can use to recycle

their own green waste sustainably, is a new addition for the smaller agricultural market.

Also worth noting about TS Industries’ Green Series is that it is completely unique in the Southern African market, because there are no other recycling products specifically designed for farmers,” says Kamau.

Not only are Mfangano Solutions’ products environmentally friendly by design, they also provide a valuable service – through the promotion of the secondary resources economy. The benefits of stimulating this sector are well documented, in that it saves costly landfill space, enhances GDP, and creates jobs.

This RC1824 wood chipper is powerful and versatile with a simple design – promising significantly lowered downtime. It runs with a tier 4i engine for lower emission and is environmentally friendly

ReSource August 2015 – 27

Landfills

Thinking beyond the well eThekwini Municipality’s Department of Cleansing and Solid Waste (DSW) has been successfully converting landfill-gas-to-electricity since 2000 and has learned much about the advantages of horizontal gas wells and how to optimise these systems for maximum efficiency. By DSW and Renew Africa*

T

he Durban gas-to-electricity Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project started out as Africa’s first landfill CDM project. It has contributed to eThekwini Municipality’s electricity supply and received revenue from methane (CH4) destruction in the form of Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) and electricity sales.

Preliminary findings from research undertaken by DSW favoured the installation of horizontal gas extraction wells (HGW) – due to simpler construction, relatively lower costs, compatibility with landfill operations, and access to the landfill gas (LFG) soon after waste placement – as opposed to vertical gas extraction wells (VGW). A continuation of this research has indicated that steps can be taken to further optimise HGWs for greater gas recovery and the extension of plant lifespans.

Reducing greenhouse gases Methane is the second most prevalent greenhouse gas (GHG) after carbon dioxide (CO2), but it has a global warming potential 25 times greater than that of CO2. CH4 is created within a landfill waste body by methanogenic microorganisms under anaerobic conditions. Climate change from GHGs is causing negative environmental impacts globally. While it is understood that GHGs can be reduced if there is strict adherence to the waste hierarchy, with prevention

28 – ReSource August 2015

The LFG gas management at Bisasar Road has rendered sufficient gas, at present, and has capacity to install another engine, but the site is anticipated to reach landfill airspace capacity by mid-2015

PRACTICAL CLEAN DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT The project concept originated in 2003, when it was decided to install a landfill gas extraction and electricity generating plant at the three DSW landfills. An Emissions Reduction Purchase Agreement (ERPA) was signed with the World Bank, in 2004, for all three sites – these being the La Mercy landfill, Mariannhill landfill, and Bisasar Road landfill.

It was initially intended as a single project but, due to the delays in the Environmental Impact Assessment process, and appeals received, it was decided to split the project into two components.

Component 1 was for a 1 MW plant at Mariannhill and a 0.5 MW plant at La Mercy, for which the record of decision (ROD) and designated national authority (DNA) approval had been received, and Component 2 was for an 8 MW plant at Bisasar Road, for which approval had not been given. It was then agreed that the World Bank ERPA would only apply to Component 1, as this part of the project was registered as a CDM project and was ready to go to construction.

Component 2 has since received an ROD and DNA approval and has been registered as a CDM project with the CDM executive board. Construction of the initial 4 MW plant at Bisasar Road landfill, being the first stage on Component 2, was completed in April 2008. The second phase, which included an additional two 1 MW engines and the relocation of the 0.5 MW engine from La Mercy, has increased the plant output capacity to 6.5 MW. The Bisasar Road landfill gas management system was designed with a 5 000 Normal cubic metres per hour (Nm3/ hr total flow consisting of two 450 mm outside diameter (OD) high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes, with nominal pressure of up to 12 MPa. These allow for conveyance of extracted LFG from the landfill to the generation compound. The plant is equipped with two 2 500 Nm3/h variable-speed-drive-operated blowers that induce a negative pressure on the gas field,

being most desired and disposal being least desired, South Africa is still, arguably, far from reaching this ideal. Landfilling is seen as the most cost-effective, environmentally safe option at this stage and this will continue to worsen climate change for the foreseeable future. By implementing an active LFG extraction system, environmental impacts can and have been reduced.

Durban experience LFG extraction on the Durban landfills dates back even earlier than the 2000 CDM project, where LFG management was undertaken to combat potential off-site migration and treatment from a health and safety perspective. An example is the Bisasar Road landfill curtain well protection system that was installed to cut off LFG migration and subsequent flaring, as far back as the mid 1990s.

LFG extraction is not new, and has been in the local landfilling industry for two decades, with international experiences dating back to the mid 1960s to early 1970s. Previous investigations by government showed that

Landfills the earliest gas extraction technique was the vertical gas well (VGW) and, due to its common use in the landfill industry, its design and performance was always accepted without question. Since VGW is usually only suitable for installation at final design levels landfill cells, and since Durban is sited in a sub-tropical climate, the result is significant quantities of LFG being produced early in the life of the landfill with a relatively high CH4 content. As a result, VGW is not fully compatible with sub-tropical-based landfills, as the bulk of the LFG produced early in the biological degradation process would have escaped prior to capture.

VERMEER HELPS SHRINK YOUR

WOOD WASTE AND COMPOSTING CHALLENGES.

New perspective The complexity of not having landfill operations that are compatible with a LFG extraction well led the engineering and projects section of the DSW to research the design requirements of gas extraction systems to supplement additional LFG to the project. This was seen as a benefit to the project, in order to attain ‘local data’ that would better inform decision-making on achieving CER requirements. The result was realising the need to adopt an LFG extraction system

THIS IS WHERE THE NAME ON THE MACHINE MATTERS MOST. Whether you’re facing the need to clear some land, clean up after Courtesy of Durant Civils

a storm or recycling wood waste, Vermeer and our global dealer network will be right beside you. We know the conditions you face are demanding – that’s why we make sure our equipment is up to the task. Our complete lineup of horizontal and tub grinders, trommel screens, compost turners and brush chippers were designed to take on your big challenges. So when it’s tough going out there, look to Vermeer – the trusted name for proven equipment and reliable support.

The Mariannhill landfill gas management system was designed with 1 000 Nm3/h total flow consisting of a single 250 mm OD HDPE delivery line to a 1 000 Nm3/h flare and GEJ spark ignition engine

Equipment Suppliers (Pty) Ltd. Southern Africa

that is compatible with harnessing active LFG early on in the lifetime of a landfill. This led the team to discover the concept of HGWs. To date, there has been limited research on HGW use and performance on landfills within South Africa; while initial research conducted by DSW provided tentative conclusions, it became evident that more long-term research would be worthwhile. The overall finding was that the HGW was favourable. Just some of the findings showed that HGW performance doubled that of a VGW. Also, while the initial HGW design only proved a 50% success rate, applying revisions and lessons learned ensured an improvement on the HGW performance. The revised designs proved that the bulk of the LFG supplied to the project, in proportion to the number of LFG wells, came from the HGWs. Moreover, the HGW proved easier and more practical to construct and install on-site, as opposed to the VGWs. Since

ReSource August 2015 – 29

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PROTON INDUSTRIAL PARK, PROTON STREET (OFF OSSEWA ST), CHLOORKOP EXT.65 GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA

Vermeer, the Vermeer logo and Equipped to Do More. are trademarks of Vermeer Manufacturing Company in the U.S. and/or other countries. © 2014 Vermeer Corporation and Equipment Suppliers (Pty) Ltd. Southern Africa. All Rights Reserved.

Landfills there is no need for specialist drilling equipment and wells can be easily installed using available landfill resources, this also reduces the overall cost per metre.

Research extended

field, which is stabilised by a 2 000 Nm3/h flare and fed to General Electric Jenbacher (GEJ) spark ignition engines.

Similarly the Mariannhill landfill gas management system was designed with 1 000 Nm3/h total flow, consisting of a single 250 mm OD HDPE delivery line to a 1 000 Nm3/h flare and GEJ spark ignition engine. Bisasar Road has, to date, some 70 VGW’s, 100 HGW’s, and 70 gas risers that have managed to deliver about 4 200 Nm3/h.

The LFG gas management at Bisasar Road has rendered sufficient gas, at present, and has the capacity to install another engine; however, the site is anticipated to reach landfill airspace capacity by mid-2015 and the jury is out on how long the LFG is expected to sustain the current 6.5 MW generating plant. As a result, the project has not opted to install a further engine, as it would not prove economically viable in the long term. In conclusion, further analysis of the extraction well data is required to assist with future city planning.

Since HGW was first tested, life expectancy of a typical HGW, through ongoing management of the well field, has been significantly improved. Lessons learned, in terms of paying attention to LFG quality rather than quantity, should be taken as important technical considerations. LFG is subject to significantly high concentrations of impurities, which result in detrimental effects on gas engine operation and reliability. The combination of increased operating and maintenance costs, as well as the resulting engine downtime led to the implementation of a low-cost landfill gas

pretreatment option to help reduce the LFG impacts on the engines. This has proven to be a requirement with any LFG-to-energy project. Worth noting is that HGW has allowed for additional LFG to supplement the project, but an emerging hypothesis

suggests that ‘newer gas’ is much richer in certain impurities and, subsequently, has been shown to have impacts on overall engine operation and maintenance. The CDM market has been negatively affected by a low issuance rate of CERs in comparison to initial projections. Contributing factors include specific technical issues, overestimation, high leachate levels, and similar factors. However, the Durban experience shows that attention to LFG management can create other opportunities and future developments, arising from using LFG instead of fossil fuels to for creating electricity.

*Writers are L Moodley, DSW, Logan.Moodley2@ durban.gov.za; J Parkin, DSW, John.Parkin@durban. gov.za; M Wright, DSW, Wright@durban.gov.za; B Bailey, Renew, bruce@renewafrica.co.za; and D Sobey, Renew, david@renewafrica.co.za.

To find out more about the design, construction, and model of HGW used in the Durban case studies, contact: Logan.Moodley2@durban.gov.za.

30 – ReSource August 2015

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Landfills

Wrapping up food waste

The Institute of Waste Management (IWMSA) has been working with the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) to research ways to inform policy regarding health regulations in South Africa to minimise food waste. Dr Suzan Oelofse, president of the IWMSA, speaks to ReSource about their efforts. By Beatrix Knopjes

A

ccording to a paper published by the CSIR and authored by Dr Suzan Oelofse, Anton Nahman, and Dr Willem de Lange, ‘The Magnitude and Cost of Food Waste in South Africa’, food is treated as a disposable commodity and research suggests that 30% to 50% – 1.2 to 2 billion tonnes – of all food produced globally is wasted before reaching consumers. Food losses occur at all stages in the food supply chain: during harvest, storage, processing, distribution, at retailers, and in the kitchens of restaurants, hotels, and households. Water, material, and energy resources used in food production are wasted if the food ends up as waste. Food waste impacts on food insecurity and gives rise to a range of environmental problems.

“In the past, we determined whether or not food was still good by taste or smell.

I believe we are losing the ability to distinguish whether food is still good for consumption,” Dr Suzan Oelofse, president, IWMSA

The issue Food safety refers to the assurance that food will not cause harm to the consumer when it is prepared and/or eaten. While there are regulations governing food safety, Oelofse says, “There are no specific regulations regarding food waste in South Africa.” Food waste is problematic in landfills – producing methane and other greenhouse gases in its decomposition – and the amount of food being wasted before it is consumed is staggering.

Specific regulations around food waste, and changing the perception of what ‘good’ food is, could go a long way to solving this pertinent humanitarian and environmental issue.

Oelofse explains that large quantities of food are discarded not necessarily due to wasteful practices, but rather because of health regulations. “The solution seems to be to bring less food, for conference catering for example, so that less food goes to waste. The concept of a ‘doggy bag’ is just that – reheated leftover food should not be fit for human consumption. In restaurants and for catering purposes, if food is prepared, it has to be kept warm. It is when it is taken off-site and consumed that people are at risk of getting sick.”

Global initiative “WRAP has star ted a global initiative to reduce food waste, and has already a

ReSource August 2015 – 31

Landfills guideline on how to reduce food waste transpor tation of produce: “Often, food ar- reared for consumption should not be in the UK. The IWMSA has been work- rives straight from the farm on open trucks fed on produce that is deemed unfit for ing with WRAP to pilot guidelines for or refrigerated trucks that have their refrig- consumption. This is predominantly a South African regulations governing food eration switched off to conser ve diesel or public perception problem, and one that waste,” says Oelofse. WRAP works in to reduce noise levels so that the driver is can possibly be resolved with good public the space between governments, busi- able to sleep. This impacts the shelf life of relations. We need to create more awarenesses, communities, ness around sell- and use-by innovative thinkers, and dates. A ‘best before’ date individuals – forging par tis probably more applicanerships and developing ble, with the understanding that if food is past that groundbreaking initiatives to help the UK use date, it does not mean it is resources more sustain‘not good’.” ably. WRAP works with Public awareness UK governments, the According to Oelofse, an exEU, and other funders to ample of this is dairy farms, help deliver their policies where a date gets put on at on waste prevention and the packaging facility that resource efficiency – taking action in those areas is based on what the dairy where they can have the product looks like. It is not greatest impact on re- Smell and appearance have historically been the most commonly used indicators of based on whether or not the ducing waste, protecting whether food products and produce are still edible; a new paradigm is required to avoid product is sour or not and natural resources, and rampant food waste does not take into consideration the date of production. providing economic and The decision of whether or environmental benefits.

WRAP’s work is underpinned by evidence- the produce. Fur thermore, only 10% of that not food is still good is one that is being produce is allowed to be ‘off spec’. If the made for us. “In the past, we determined based research. produce is of an inferior quality, the farmer whether or not food was still good by taste Changing perceptions will receive less for the produce. Through or smell. I believe we are losing the ability In order to amend food wastage, it is im- this sor t of quality control, a considerable to distinguish whether food is still good for perative that the perception of edible food amount of food that is actually fine gets consumption,” says Oelofse, “I hope we will is changed. Public perception has been wasted or finds its way to the informal mar- get better guidance and I am encouraged by heavily influenced by marketing and is not ket,” explains Oelofse. the work done in the UK by WRAP.” Aware“There are perceptions that compound ness also needs to be raised around proper based on scientific evidence; this is what the IWMSA hopes to address. “Percep- the issue, for example: animals that are portion sizes. tions can and should be changed; there is “People prepare too much food. We need no indication that a sell- or use-by date is better education on portion sizes to cut actually based on human health. down on wastage. At university hostels, for It is a date determined by perception example, health inspectors use the useand based on aesthetics. More research by date on bread as law. It is commonly is needed to determine what constitutes accepted that bread can be frozen to extend its life, or toasted even, but in such ‘good’ food.” Another problem is the

“Perceptions can and should be changed; there is no indication that a sellor use-by date is actually based on human health.”

32 – ReSource August 2015

Mills & Otten cc Johannesburg Tel: (011) 486 0062 Fax: (086) 554 6573 Contact: Charles Mills / Kirstin Otten • • •

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Landfills institutions the label determines acceptability and this means that large amounts of surplus bread is wasted. Our health regulations, as they currently stand, are problematic. They do not necessarily take into consideration the extended lifespan of frozen food. This means we are wasting more than what is necessary.”

The intention of the work done

Good food is often thrown out due to a lack of proper policy governing what is and is not fit for human consumption

in collaboration with WRAP is to provide hard evidence to change the regulations around food waste. This requires solid research, which is what the IWMSA intends to do. “The pilot testing we have in mind will provide evidence to inform policy. I hope that, when we have the evidence, we will be able to change policies to avoid food waste.”

ReSource August 2015 – 33

Specialist Waste Management Consultants

JPCE

Tel: +27 21 982 6570

/

www.jpce.co.za

Jan Palm Consulting Engineers

14 to 15 October 2015 East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ)

The Eastern Cape Waste Management Conference, themed The Road to Zero Waste will take place from 14 to 15 October 2015 at the East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ).

There will be a multitude of speakers at the conference, bringing a wealth of knowledge and best practice case studies for those in attendance.

We are expecting approximately 200 guests to attend the conference. The conference will be held over two days; the first day will include a number of guest speakers, exhibition stalls and riveting workshops. Day two will include technical tours.

CORRESPONDENCE & ENQUIRIES IWMSA Eastern Cape Branch Manager: Shantelle Jonas t +27 (43)733 8349 e easterncape@iwmsa.co.za

REGISTER AND BOOK NOW Visit www.iwmsa.co.za to register and book online

THEME The Road to Zero Waste

TOPICS Unpacking waste management challenges faced by municipalities or industry Alternative waste treatments (e.g. Berlin Landfill site) Turning waste into worth Legislative challenges in waste management Waste Legislation – asset or burden?

How to improve services through proper planning and improved waste infrastructure Careers in waste management Medical and hazardous waste Organic waste management E-Waste Role of by-laws and law enforcement

COST PER DELEGATE WMSA non-members: R1 000 IWMSA members: R950

EXHIBITION STANDS Table-top stands: R1 200 3 m x 1 m: R2 000 | 3 m x 2 m: R2 500

The virtual utility today

Cleaner Production

It’s a brave new world; information is the critical link, connecting all facets of utility management and service delivery. Frances Ringwood investigates how big data, the Internet of Things, and microgrids are changing the future of utility management for the better, forever.

M

etering comparison, bill validation, alternative power supply, and off-grid solutions are becoming increasingly relevant, especially in combination with data generation and management, and machine-to-machine (M2M) communication.

These have the power to save electricity and other resources at a time in South Africa’s history when protecting the national grid is crucial.

These innovations do not come without their challenges. The sheer volume of data that needs to be collected, processed, managed, and acted upon is increasing dramatically. To maximise gains, South African companies and state-owned entities must develop sound processes to ensure environmental, productivity, and

cost-saving benefits and effectively outweigh initial capital expenditure to yield tangible deliverables.

The Internet of Things According to estimates, the amount of mobile data traffic, by 2018, will have increased to 16 exabytes. One exabyte is equal to about 1.6 billion terabytes – the current estimate for the number of bytes of information on the whole Internet is 1.2 million terabytes. In layman’s terms, this means that, in just three years, the amount of information being passed from one device to another will outstrip the entire current Internet on a monthly basis.Human beings just don’t have the capacity to manage or even generate these vast amounts of information on our own. One reason for the

exponential uptick in information is the rise of the Internet of Things, a term used to describe how machines communicate with one another as part of their programmed automation protocols. According to Steve Apps, senior manager at Accenture South Africa, “The Internet of Things is about making ‘things’ work together seamlessly.

Today, we have a paradigm that makes us want to manage systems from our smart devices; in the future, everything from your coffee pot and light fittings, to your car and television will become integrated into an ecosystem of smart devices and other instruments that talk to one another.” The total number of smart devices expected by 2020 is 50 billion. That equals more than 10 networkable devices per person on the planet. “In this information-rich context, ReSource August 2015 – 35

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some of the typical problem statements we receive from our clients involve asking how they can achieve operational efficiency, how they can move from a product focus to a service focus, and even for assistance discovering unconventional revenues,” says Apps.

Accenture South Africa coaches a number of clients on how to use to data to increase workforce productivity, use assets more efficiently, reach and communicate with customers more effectively, and even pilot new revenue stream opportunities.

One of the first steps to achieving these goals is being able to effectively manage vast tracts of information – this is where big data becomes relevant for the virtual utility today.

What is big data?

“Big data is like teenage sex: everyone talks about it, nobody really knows how to do it, everyone thinks everyone else is doing it, so everyone claims they are doing it…”says professor of psychology Dan Ariely. Big data is a fancy term for having too much information to process in conventional ways. Infrastructure is a prime site for having a proliferation of information. Take the South African national electricity utility

36 – ReSource August 2015

Eskom, for example. Eskom manages vast amounts of information on a daily basis, including energy loss management, customer billing, metering statistics and tariffs, fault management, network planning, geographical information system integration, equipment maintenance, and telecommunications. Jaco du Toit is an engineer employed at Eskom, specialises in data science. He recently started building a data science team with the focus on streamlining some of the utility's data processes to create a foundation for implementing smart algorithms. "The data process involves taking large amounts of data, processing the data, applying exploratory data analysis techniques, and visualising the extracted information. Statistical modelling techniques can also be applied to help capture the underlying regularities (patterns) hidden away in the data. Results from the exploratory analysis might take us back to the processing stage to optimise certain data capturing processes and visualisations can be used to assist in better decision-making,” explains Du Toit.

Being able to perform these functions requires various sets of skills within data science teams. These include mathematics, computer science, statistics, communication, data visualisation, domain expertise, and machine learning. Machine learning may sound complicated, but it refers, broadly, to a computer’s ability to recognise patterns and ‘learn’ from them. A popular example is Deep Blue, IBM’s famous chess playing computer.

Managing data science teams The benefits of being able to process vast amounts of data, to generate highly accurate projections, are immediately apparent. Perhaps, if these models had been available in the past, South Africa would not be experiencing loadshedding and attendant national economic knock-on effects. While it’s impossible to get into a time machine and reverse past choices, the processing power is now available to mitigate or even prevent similar future difficulties. But, ultimately, this incredible power is not in the hands of the machines but the people who control them. For this reason, managing teams turns out to be one of the most important features of data management. “To manage a data science team effectively, you need to start small (internally), with a solid business case that helps

define your team’s objectives. From there, you need to establish an exploratory data analysis process and combine the efforts of the overall process with existing business intelligence initiatives.

To get the most out of your information, team members must be encouraged to collaborate across departments, especially with relevant subject matter experts.

Data needs to be easily accessible to all members of the team and it’s especially important to prevent information silos by encouraging the team to meet regularly for ‘scrum sessions’, where they are encouraged to use storytelling to share their research perspective.

Within this context, academic and structured research approaches need to be respected and it’s also ideal to have a clear path of communication between your team and company decision-makers,” says Du Toit. By adopting a data-driven strategy, Du Toit's team have improved the data quality, data accesibility and data reliability. There have been a number of other benefits too, including paving the way for the reasearch and implementation of machine learning algorithims that they will soon stat experimenting with. It is Du Toit's view that data will inevitably form the underpinnings of a future Smart Grid system.

Deliverables Some of the results Eskom is can potentially from, through the effective management of its big data, include reduced non-technical losses, more-accurate load-monitoring and forecasting, increased revenue collection efficiency, reduced unforeseen outages and recovery time, and reduced peak-hour energy purchases.

Navigating challenges While the concept of the virtual utility inherently implies faster and more-efficient processes, there are potential pitfalls, as well as opportunities. The most obvious risk is that standard supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems – which are growing in popularity and manage all manner of infrastructure, from hospitals and wastewater treatment works to power plants – are vulnerable to low skill hacking if they are connected to the Internet. David Erswell, an automation engineer at Eskom Holdings, illustrates that a brief Internet search reveals that there are over 90 000 SCADA systems connected to the World Wide Web at this very moment. “Modern misson critical

Cleaner Production applications have become dependent on IPbased devices. SCADA connects operational data to the Internet and this is dangerous.

It is relatively easy for an attacker to access Internet connected systems at home. If your SCADA system was connected to the Internet, with no encryption, during 2014, your system may be at risk. An attack could halt network visibility and even damage valuable infrastructure. The incorrect operation of SCADA systems can end up being extremely costly and may result in loss of life,” warns Erswell.

To avoid the danger, it is best not to connect a SCADA system to the Internet at all.

However, there are benefits to being connected, including ease of access for plant operators and it’s an easy and affordable way for multiple intelligent devices to communicate with one another. Therefore, SCADA systems connected to the Internet need to be properly encrypted and SCADA users have to take the security of their passwords seriously. “The SCADA fraternity has a long way to go. We all need to maintain an attitude of constant vigilance, isolate our

systems, and implement layers of defence,” concludes Erswell.

BIG DATA That being said, M2M communication also opens up a whole new world of opportunities. For example, Accenture’s Digitally Enabled Grid Programme has predicted that “grid Faults [are] to increase, by 2020, as a result of distributed renewable generation (low-voltage connections). Additional faults will occur as a result of large/utility scale renewables (medium-voltage connections).” These up- markets. If the South African economy wants ward trends in distributed generation are to get out in front of these trends, more likely to have a negative impact on Eskom’s small businesses need to be encouraged overall revenue generation. Data concerning to enter those sectors tipped for growth. these challenges presents businesses and Government will also need to secure a way government with the opportunity to start ex- to profit from this investment, to overcome ploring methods for recuperating lost reve- revenue shortfalls.

Ultimately, understanding big data is a big nues and preventing grid damage. Accenture research indicates that localised microgrids, deal. Those economies that can’t get up isolating the national power grid, can prevent to speed fast enough are going to lose out damage. Furthermore, new entrants in pow- to those who exhibit a more focused, agile er electronics hardware and services are set response to these powerful new trends in to increase, boosting revenues from those data management.

ReSource02+0815-Recy-Kahl_ReSource-Tyres 08.01.15 10:55 Seite 1

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ReSource May 2015 – 37

Landfill 2015

Conference & Exhibition Landfill 2015 will seek to bring the Landfill and Alternative Waste Treatment industries together to learn about the latest techniques and developments and to provide a forum for the exchange of knowledge and ideas.

IWMSA Landfill conferences typically attract 100150 delegates with 10-15 stands/booths in the accompanying exhibition area. This conference will attract decision makers from government and the private sector, prospective users, academics, vendors and suppliers, policy makers and representatives of various national organizations working in the arena of Landfill and Alternative Waste Treatment.

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15 & 16 September 2015 Waterval Country Lodge in Tulbagh, Western Cape

THEME Advances in Waste Treatment and Engineered Landfill Environment

TOPICS Landfill Construction and Operations Waste Transportation Civil and Geotechnical Engineering Geosynthetics Waste Compaction Waste Treatment Equipment Refuse Derived Fuels and Waste to Energy Plants Funding Models

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Italian flair for local fair

Event Watch

Italian waste management professionals, representing municipalities and big business, talk about challenges experienced in their waste management sector, with useful tips on how African countries can achieve comparable growth. By Frances Ringwood

A

t the Indutec fair, held at the Gallagher Convention Centre in May this year, a delegation of Italian waste industry professionals presented papers on topics spanning European strategies towards a circular economy, municipal collection, separation and recycling, and reaching new EU targets set for 2020. Here’s what they had to say about how Italian waste management progress compares to South Africa.

in Italy. “Our main objective is to increase recycling to allow for the growth of a green economy,” said Vigni.

Already, South African waste management professionals will detect some strong parallels between the Italian and the local sectors. Both are moving away from the old ‘hump and dump’ model towards one that prioritises the reduction of waste and the increase of reuse and re-

Recycling as a journey “First, I would like to outline a concept: we must imagine the change in waste management as a journey towards the future. Big changes have occurred in the Italian waste management industry within the last 20 to 30 years.

In the past, waste management was just about collecting Bird’s-eye view of this year’s Indutec, one of waste and sending it to landfill. South Africa’s biggest industry and technology fairs Today, waste management is increasingly becoming a complex indus- cycling. The Italian government even protrial system, aimed at material and energy motes the same waste-management hierrecovery,” said Fabrizio Vigni, president archy as that used by local administrators. of Italian waste management company However, Italy’s material stream recovery Siena Ambiente. rate percentages are far higher than South Siena Ambiente is a member of the Ital- Africa’s – an achievement facilitated by ian association of waste handling compa- strong government leadership, more strinnies, called Federambiente, the organisa- gent enforcement of the ‘polluter pays’ tion on behalf of which Vigni was speaking, principle, and conscientious buy-in from on the day. Federambiente represents citizens and service providers. over 200 waste management companies, which operate in about 3 500 municipali- European circular economy ties and serve about 37 million Italians. “Today, European policy for sustainable With 44 000 employees, and combined waste management is based on the 2008 and collective earnings of €4.6 billion in directive that establishes the waste manmunicipal revues, Federambiente is the agement hierarchy with the following order biggest waste management association of priorities:

• prevention • reuse • recycling • recovery of energy • disposal.

The situation in Europe is that 28% of general waste is recycled, 15% is composted, 26% is incinerated, and 31% is landfilled,” explained Vigni. By comparison, only 10% of South Africa’s waste is recycled, wasting about R17 billion per year. “In 2013, it was recorded that each person produces 481 kg of municipal waste per year, with a 43% average of that being recycled or composted.

Germany’s recycling leads at 64%, followed by the United Kingdom at 44%. France then comes in at 43%, Italy at 41%, and Spain at 30%. European targets for 2020, based on the 2008 directive, are that 50% of the weight of all household waste (paper, metals, plastic, and glass) and 70% of construction waste and packaging has to be recycled. Europe, however, is already setting itself more ambitious goals towards a greener economy.

The 2014/2020 Action Programme sets economic policy within environmental challenges and directs us towards a clean economy based on carbon dioxide emission reduction and efficient resource use,” said Vigni. Italy’s recycling industry is slightly larger than South Africa’s; the amount of municipal and industrial waste produced in Italy is about 170 million tonnes, compared to South Africa’s 108 tonnes, in 2011. “Italy boasts some of the best recycling rates in Europe, this is not because of our separation at source but because of the industrial sector’s recycling

ReSource August 2015 – 39

4Th ANNuAL

ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES CONFERENCE -COMpLIANCE, ENFORCEMENT & pROSECuTION Date: 9 & 10 September 2015

Venue: Indaba Hotel, Fourways, Johannesburg

REGULATORY UPDATE - DAY 1 Dr. Thuli Mdluli Chief Director: Air Quality Management DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

Nigel Adams Acting Chief Director: Enforcement DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND SANITATION

Rainy Disebo Mashitisho Chief Director: Compliance & Enforcement GAUTENG DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & RURAL DEVELOPMENT

EXPERT ADVICE - DAY 2 Advocate Connie Erasmus Senior Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions NATIONAL PROSECUTING AUTHORITY

Rudolph Mbumba Regional Specialised Officer INTERPOL REGIONAL BUREAU HARARE

Robert Wabunoha Legal Officer & Africa Regional Coordinator Environmental Governance UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME

Douw Steyn Director: Sustainability PLASTICS SOUTH AFRICA

Dr Isaac Rampedi Senior Lecturer & HOD: Dept of Geography, Environmental Management & Energy Studies UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG

DUAL PRESENTATION:

Reducing Our Carbon Footprint

When you attend an ITC conference you will receive the most updated speaker presentations on USB instead of paper based workbooks.

PRO-ACTIVE ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE – A PETROCHEMICAL CASE STUDY Shirley Moroka-Mosia Sandra Redelinghuys General Manager CHSEQ Corporate Environmental Manager ENGEN PETROLEUM ENGEN PETROLEUM LIMITED LIMITED

KEY STRATEGIES TO BE DISCUSSED:

• Reporting requirements in terms of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act 39 of 2004 • Enforcement within the Regulatory Framework – through change management • Escalating environmental enforcement through strengthening collaboration between key government departments • Evaluating the quality of selected Environmental Impact Assessments for effective decision-making processes • Emerging legal trends in inclusive green economy • Discussing INTERPOL’s tools and services manifested both regionally and globally • Zero plastics to landfill 2030 • Safeguarding the environment through strong monitoring and prosecution

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Event Watch efforts,” says Vigni. Preconstruction and packaging waste are two of the highest recycled waste streams. In 2012, 70.7% of industrial waste was recycled – higher than EU targets.

Municipal picture Italian local government authorities are seeking to partner with their South African counterparts to promote excellence in local waste management through knowledge sharing. Also presenting at Indutec was Filippo Bernocchi, representing the Italian local government body, the National Association of Italian Municipalities (ANCI – similar to South Africa’s Salga). “For the past 20 years, I’ve been on the board of directors to assist these local authorities with their waste and energy management issues. We work with central government, parliament, and regional and local authorities, which, together, make up over 8 000 entities. One initiative we are currently working on with the Italian Ministry of the

“An example of one Italian initiative is that, each year, every single packaging producer needs to present a waste prevention action plan to the Ministry of the Environment. This is how we interpret the polluter pays principle.”

Filippo Bernocchi, ANCI representative Environment involves our new legislative agreement. I have, throughout my career, negotiated with industrial producers, the most important outcome being the collection of industrial packaging,” said Bernocchi. “Today, our goal is the creation of partnerships between Italian and South African municipalities. This will allow the knowledge of Italian municipalities to be exported, facilitating sharing techniques and best practices,” he added.

Government leadership The main activities of ANCI in the waste management sector are centred on the creation of national agreements between producers and local authorities to improve the methods of collection, separation, and recycling. These agreements were derived from the European principle of

molto simili Italy has a population of nearly 60 million people, about 8 million more people than South Africa.

Although the country’s industry is more developed, Italy has similar government structures and responds to similar market challenges and constraints. extended producer responsibility. “In the last year, the application of this principle has helped Italian municipalities reach their interim EU targets for 2020, by financing service costs and infrastructure,” explained Bernocchi.

“An example of one Italian initiative is that, each year, every single packaging producer needs to present a waste prevention action plan to the Ministry of the Environment. This is how we interpret the polluter pays principle. In order to achieve real waste management, according to this principle, we need to follow the hierarchy my colleague mentioned earlier,” said Bernocchi. South Africa also applies the polluter pays principle; however, membership to industry regulatory bodies is largely voluntary and enforcement is not as stringent. “Take note that the European hierarchy is flexible. That means, for a certain case of single-stream material – e.g. plastics – you can go straight to energy recovery instead of recycling because you have to choose the best environmental option,” said Bernocchi.

EU 2020 targets The results of achieving the EU’s 2020 targets will be to move from a linear economy to a circular economy, boost recycling, and prevent the loss of valuable materials. Other projected benefits include the promotion of new business models and eco-design, industrial symbiosis, and moving closer to a broader goal of zero waste to landfill.

“Expected outcomes are that 10% to 40% of the total market of raw materials could be covered by secondary raw materials and that 443 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions could be avoided from 2014 to 2015. In

addition, almost 500 000 new jobs could be created, by 2030, in small-to-medium enterprises. Positive effects like these would further benefit Italy’s overall GDP,” said Bernocchi. South African waste management professionals envisage similar benefits for the local industry – if recycling rates can be improved. However, as a developing country, there are far more logistical, economic, and skills-related challenges to overcome. One of the fastest ways to bridge these gaps may well be to reach out to Italian waste management counterparts and learn from their similar experience to drive a culture of excellence in the reduction, reuse, and recycling of solid waste.

Fabrizio Vigni, president of Siena Ambiente

Filippo Bernocchi, representing the National Association of Italian Municipalities

ReSource August 2015 – 41

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QuOtE

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33% dIsCoUnT

WASTE TO VALUE DEVELOPING THE VISION FOR A GROWING AFRICAN WASTE ECONOMY

Africa’s most valuable and comprehensive waste management conference and expo – the Africa Waste Business conference and African Waste Week exhibition.

The event’s primary objective is to show-case the significant business potential Africa’s waste streams can create.

South Africa’s Department of Science & Technology believes that through investment in the sector and development and implementation of directed waste research, development and innovation, South Africa can grow its waste and recycling industry from its current R15.3b a year, or 0.51% of GDP in 2012, to between 1% and 1.5% of GDP. (Source: Waste to Wealth, Engineering News, 14 November 2014)

FEATURED SPEAKERS: Evan Rice, CEO, GreenCape | Ndivhuho Raphulu, CEO, National Cleaner Production Centre (DTI) | Anben Pillay, Director – Waste Policy & Information Management, Department of Environmental Affairs | Dr Suzan Oelofse, Research Group Leader: Waste for Development, CSIR | Alex Lemille, CEO, WizeImpact | Nicky Van Hille, CEO, The Moss Group | Pravashen Naidoo, CEO, eWaste Africa | Hermann Erdmann, CEO, Recycling & Economic Development Initiative for South Africa (REDISA) | Nick Mannie, Technical Director – Waste, Aurecon Group

TO BE A PART OF THE AFRICAN WASTE WEEK EXHIBITION, CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.africawaste.co.za

Call Nicol Pottow on 011 549 8300 Endorsed by:

Knowledge partner:

Email Nicol@ThebeReed.co.za In collaboration with:

Media partners:

Leaders in Local Government Business Intelligence &

Event Watch

African Waste Week preview

Africa is indeed awakening to the potential of the vast commercial value offered by the waste economy. African Waste Week will draw local and international exhibitors, speakers, and visitors to share technology, best practice case studies, and industry insight.

T

aking place this year, from 1 to 4 September, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, this four-day event will provide conferencing, exhibition, and workshop opportunities for Africa’s waste sector professionals.

“As recently as May this year, Edna Molewa, Minister for Environmental Affairs, stated that ‘reducing, recovering, and minimising waste provides opportunities for socio-economic development, including the development of new jobs and business opportunities’,” says Nicol Pottow, project manager at international events organiser Thebe Reed.

“South Africa’s waste sector is worth R50 billion, with many suggesting this could double with the right focus,” she adds.

Thebe Reed Exhibitions and Osiba Holdings will be working together to bring the latest news and opportunities in waste management to Africa.

programme includes plenary sessions, discussion forums, and in-depth parallel breakaway sessions – highlighting different waste streams – with elective site visits. Wastex Africa was known for the high calibre of speakers from government, industry, and international agencies. African Waste Week is carrying on this tradition with talks covering exciting and emerging industry issues,” says Pottow.

Topics under discussion are many and varied, ranging from championing zero local waste to tapping into the global SMART (small and medium area repair technique) industry to counteract throwaway culture.

The programme will also include sessions dedicated to specific waste streams, including: e-waste, hazardous waste, organic waste, construction and demolition rubble, packaging waste, biomass, and waste-to-energy.

Craig Steward, event director at Thebe Reed

WASTE-TO-ENERGY FOCUS DAY

Fully endorsed by the Southern African Industry Biogas Association, African Waste Week will host a special wasteto-energy focus day. Given how many African countries currently face energy supply difficulties, looking at opportunities presented by landfill gas and tyre waste presents opportunities for all who are interested in moresustainable energy production.

Evolving for growth African Waste Week is an evolution of Wastex Africa 2013, and has been designed to focus specifically on waste sector business opportunities. Core topics include neutralising the cost of waste for producers, lucrative feedstock opportunities for recyclers, and new business opportunities arising from national diversion strategies.

Speakers at the event will include Suzan Oelofse, research group leader: Waste for Development at the CSIR; Hugh Tyrell, director at environmental consulting firm Greenedge; and Allison Davidson, head: Waste Minimisation for the city of Cape Town, among many other highly regarded contributors to the waste management community.

Conference agenda “African Waste Week offers a rich and diverse agenda that examines critical issues in Africa’s waste business value chain. The

Waste material baled for transformation into energy

ReSource August 2015 – 43

Event Watch Sardinia Symposium 2015 – 15th Annual International Waste Management and Landfill Symposium 5–9 October 2015 Forte Village, S Margherita di Pula (CA), Italy www.sardiniasymposium.it E Adelia Pressuti: info@eurowaste.it

Landfill 2015 – Advances in Waste Treatment and Engineered Landfill Environment 15–16 September 2015 Waterval Country Lodge in Tulbagh, Western Cape E Lesley Ferreira: lesley@cebisaconferences.co.za

African Waste Week 1–4 September 2015

IFAT Environmental Technology Forum Africa

Manufacturing Indaba Western Cape

15–18 September 2015 Johannesburg Expo Centre, Gauteng E Marius Smit: marius.smit@mmi-southafrica.co.za

Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town E Liz Hart: info@manufacturingindaba.co.za

International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) 2015 World Conference

Clean-Up SA & Recycle Week

7–9 September 2015

Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town E nicol@thebereed.co.za

Antwerp, Belgium iswa2015.org/ E iswa@iswa.org

79th IMESA Conference – Changing the face of the municipal engineer

Manufacturing Indaba Eastern Cape

20–30 October 2015

8 October 2015 Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape E Liz Hart: info@manufacturingindaba.co.za

6 November 2015

14–20 September 2015 Across South Africa www.cleanup-sa.co.za T +27 (0)11 314 4021

eWASA National E-waste Collection Day 19 September 2015 Whole of South Africa www.cleanup-sa.co.za T +27 (0)11 314 4021

Grand West Hotel and Casino, Goodwood, Cape Town E Debbie Anderson: conference@imesa.org.za

Index to Advertisers AAD Group OFC Amandus Kahl Hamburg 37 Barloworld Equipment 30 Bobsa Machinery IFC & 24 Duncanmec OBC Envitech Solutions 31 IFAT LI IWMSA Conference 34 & 39

44 – ReSource August 2015

Jan Palm Consulting Engineers 33 Kaytech IBC Mercedes-Benz 10 Mfangano Solutions 26 Mills & Otten 32 Otto Waste Systems 4 Petco 12 Plastics | SA 11

Polyco 14 Reclite 23 Redisa LI ROSE Foundation 2 & 16 Sanitech 35 SRK Consulting 21 Tetra Pak 19 Vermeer Equipment Suppliers 29

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