Reduce, reuse and recycle

Abstract

The adoption of the internationally accepted waste management hierarchy (Sakai et al, 1996) into South African policy has changed the focus from “end of pipe” waste management towards waste minimisation (reuse, recycling and cleaner production). However, while over 80% of local municipalities reported that they are initiating recycling activities in some way or another, they are struggling to get the initiatives off the ground due to lack of capacity or infrastructure (DEAT, 2007). The National Environmental Management: Waste (Act 59 of 2008) also requires municipalities to provide households with receptacles for recyclables.