MNO3704
EXAM PACK
, Introduction
South Africa generates an estimated 12.7 million tonnes of domestic waste each year.
However, municipalities are increasingly under pressure as the volume of waste
continues to rise, making it difficult to maintain effective waste management services. Of
the total waste produced annually, around 3.67 million tonnes are not collected or
managed through official waste collection systems. This results in a significant portion
being disposed of illegally.
To address these challenges, the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries
(DEFF), in collaboration with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) International Environmental
Technology Centre (IETC), has launched initiatives to improve solid waste management
in municipalities. Through this partnership, key weaknesses and obstacles within local
waste systems were identified, and potential solutions were explored to support UNEP’s
implementation efforts within the country.
This report outlines the outcomes of these efforts and highlights the critical findings
related to municipal solid waste management in South Africa.
EXAM PACK
, Introduction
South Africa generates an estimated 12.7 million tonnes of domestic waste each year.
However, municipalities are increasingly under pressure as the volume of waste
continues to rise, making it difficult to maintain effective waste management services. Of
the total waste produced annually, around 3.67 million tonnes are not collected or
managed through official waste collection systems. This results in a significant portion
being disposed of illegally.
To address these challenges, the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries
(DEFF), in collaboration with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) International Environmental
Technology Centre (IETC), has launched initiatives to improve solid waste management
in municipalities. Through this partnership, key weaknesses and obstacles within local
waste systems were identified, and potential solutions were explored to support UNEP’s
implementation efforts within the country.
This report outlines the outcomes of these efforts and highlights the critical findings
related to municipal solid waste management in South Africa.
