INTERVIEW
REDISA: putting waste to work Hermann Erdmann, the dynamic CEO of REDISA, is driving awareness of the value of circular economies and the massive potential for job creation.
Please give a brief overview of the history and activities of REDISA.
Hermann Erdmann
BIOGRAPHY An entrepreneur and businessman, Hermann Erdmann has extensive experience in the manufacturing and retail sectors having served on a number of industry-related boards. Erdmann's interest in environmental sustainability, transformation and empowerment of the previously disadvantaged resulted in the establishment of REDISA, and the development of the first approved Industry Waste Management Plan. SOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESS 2017
The REDISA Plan was gazetted in terms of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008, and Regulation 11(4) of the Waste Tyre Regulations, 2009. REDISA collects a waste management fee of R2.30 per kilogram of tyres manufactured or imported, paid directly to the organisation. These funds are applied according to the mandates set out in the Plan. The REDISA Plan provides government with an environmental solution at no cost to the fiscus, with its core mandates being both environmental and socio-economic upliftment through the development of both entrepreneurial and job opportunities, ultimately contributing to the economic growth of the country. The REDISA model uses the fees collected to directly fund the development of recycling industries, establishes reverse logistics networks, carries out R&D and promotes secondary interests. It will also provide producers the opportunity to reduce their costs by designing in circularity. Can you update us on progress with the Integrated Industry Waste Tyre Management Plan and new developments at REDISA over the past 12 months?
A number of achievements have been made since inception, including having created over 3 000 jobs, and supporting more than 200 SMMEs. In addition to the milestones reached in the last 12 months, the REDISA Plan has also been lauded on the international stage as a particularly successful model in terms of circular economy development. At the 2015 Global Economic Symposium (GES), the REDISA Plan was presented to an international panel and was adopted by the GES as an official solutions proposal to address critical challenges being faced internationally. In addition, in January 2016, REDISA was announced as runner-up in the Circular Economy Government, Cities & Regions category of the Circular Awards. The awards were presented at a ceremony at the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos.
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