Recycling takes centre stage at next week's conference
Tackling the challenges created by increasingly outdated waste infrastructure and lack of recycling facilities and at the same time developing the economic potential of the waste sector to the emerging green economy will be the focus of the Eastern Cape Recycling Indaba that takes place in East London next week.
Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism MEC Mcebisi Jonas explains that the overarching objective of the indaba is “to create a climate that is conducive to recycling in the Eastern Cape with all stakeholders.
“We want to develop a common view on the priorities that need to be tackled in the medium to long term. This will ensure that steps are taken for the development of a Recycling Action Plan to track progress against set targets for the Eastern Cape.”
The extent of the opportunities that could be exploited is evident from information provided at last year’s WASTEX conference which revealed that in 2011 South Africa generated 108 million tons of waste of which 98 million went to landfill sites and only 10% was recycled.
The National Waste Management Strategy, which seeks to give effect to the Waste Act, lists among its strategic objectives the need to stimulate job creation and broaden participation by small, medium and micro enterprises as well as marginalised communities and cooperatives.
The ultimate goal, and several initiatives have been taken in this regard by the Department of Environmental Affairs, is to involve these groups in the waste sector in areas such as recycling and waste management to stimulate service delivery.
The National Environmental Management: Waste Act states that sustainable development requires that waste generation should be avoided and, if not, that it be reduced, recycled, and as a last resort, treated and safely disposed of.
The Indaba follows a commitment given by the MEC in his Policy Speech last year to create green jobs and ensure “continuous support to municipal waste service delivery”.
It will provide a platform for all stakeholders to reach consensus on a provincial path to stimulate a culture of recycling in the Eastern Cape.
The Indaba will take place as follows:
Date: 29 January 2014
Time: 09h00 (registration to start at 8h00)
Venue: East London International Convention Centre (ICC)
To RSVP please contact Ms Nwabisa Teyise at the following contact details:
Tel: 043 605 7190
E-mail: Nwabisa.Teyise@deaet.ecape.gov.za
