Johannesburg: With the ever-increasing use of electronic devices and the need to sustainably manage their disposal, the government has launched an e-Waste Recycling Pilot Project in the City of Johannesburg’s Alexandra township. Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Bernice Swarts, said the improper disposal of e-waste has become a growing concern.
According to South African Government News Agency, the increasing number of electronic devices being used without a proper system for disposal has led to the accumulation of waste that harms the environment and contaminates water and soil. The launch of the e-Waste Recycling Pilot Project is seen as a response to this growing crisis. The goal of this pilot project is to test and implement a sustainable system for recycling e-waste in Johannesburg.
The success of the project heavily relies on the participation of the local community. By providing households with easy access to collection or drop-off points, recycling facilities, and offering guidance on how to properly separate and dispose of their old electronic devices, the initiative aims to change the way residents think about their waste. Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs), working together with local Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), will ensure the availability of drop-off points and collection bins to facilitate safe disposal of e-waste.
This initiative was launched by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), in partnership with the City of Johannesburg, Gauteng Department of Environment, and PROs. The collaboration aims to not only manage and dispose of e-waste responsibly but also raise awareness about recycling and the dangers of improper e-waste disposal. Furthermore, the project is intended to create jobs and stimulate local economic development.
Through this initiative, the government will engage PROs committed to facilitating the proper recycling of e-waste. These organisations play a crucial role in managing the end-of-life phase of electronic products and are an important part of the national effort to promote a circular economy, where materials are reused and recycled, rather than discarded.
Collaboration between the City of Johannesburg and the PROs is expected to ensure that the pilot project is sustainable and scalable, with potential expansion across other regions in the future. It will help Johannesburg and Alexandra residents manage e-waste more effectively and contribute to broader environmental goals.
As part of the National Waste Management Strategy 2020, South Africa is committed to reducing waste sent to landfills, increasing recycling rates, and promoting a circular economy. The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, which place responsibility for end-of-life products on producers, are key to this vision. By encouraging industry involvement in waste management, the aim is to ensure that those who create waste are also part of the solution.
E-waste is now considered the fastest-growing waste stream worldwide due to the proliferation of technology and the consumer-driven nature of society. Millions of tons of electronic devices are discarded each year, containing harmful materials like lead and mercury, which can have devastating environmental and health effects if not properly managed.
In South Africa, over 360,000 tons of e-waste are generated annually, with at least 50% of this waste produced in Gauteng. Only a small fraction, approximately 10%, is properly managed, with the rest ending up in landfills or being illegally dumped, posing serious risks to ecosystems. South Africa’s waste laws prohibit the disposal of e-waste in landfills, intending to divert this waste stream for recycling purposes.
In November 2021, South Africa implemented EPR legislation for Electrical and Electronic Equipment, compelling producers of electronic products to take back and ensure proper recycling.