South Africa Hosts Global Forum Workshop To Enhance Solid Waste Management In Africa

South Africa hosted 7th Global Forum of Cities for Circular Economy (GFCCE) workshop by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) in Johannesburg -- in collaboration with the Centre for Science and Environment

At the opening of the two-day workshop on Tuesday, South Africa's Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Bernice Swarts, spoke about the government's efforts to support the circular economy.

She focused on strategies for reusing and recycling materials to ensure a sustainable and reliable supply of resources.

"South Africa has instituted various policy instruments and initiatives to advance sustainable development pathways, with circular economy principles firmly embedded in these strategies," she said, SA News reported.

The event aims to strengthen cooperation among countries in the Global South to improve solid waste management.

The workshop is being attended by delegates from 18 African countries, including Botswana, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Eswatini, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The policy measures include the National Waste Management Strategy, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Regulations for specific waste types, and other economic tools such as fees, levies, and taxes aimed at encouraging or discouraging certain behaviors.

EPR was introduced in South Africa's policies due to the growing amount of waste. This approach shifts the responsibility for waste management from municipalities and consumers to the producers of the products.

South Africa, especially the City of Johannesburg, faces significant pressure as there is not enough space in landfills. To address this, a combination of policies is needed to improve resource efficiency, and cities must be empowered to monitor resource usage.

The Deputy Minister emphasized that making real progress requires strong partnerships. Collaboration between the government and the private sector is essential for achieving the goals of the waste management hierarchy and supporting the transition to a circular economy, as per Swarts.

She further said that South Africa is committed to strengthening these partnerships and advancing the shared goals of the GFCCE. This collaboration helps reduce government spending and creates green opportunities.