Weekly Bulletin on Circular Waste Management in Africa #17-2024

South Africa

Abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) is considered harmful not only because it may lead to ghost fishing, but because fishing gear makes up a significant proportion of macrolitter in the world’s oceans. Not only does ALDFG have the potential to continue fishing long after it has been lost, and hence it is in direct competition with fisheries, but it also contributes to marine plastics and all the associated harmful impacts that plastics have on the environment (smothering, microplastics, etc). There is a paucity of information about ALDFG, especially in Africa. Many organisations, research institutes and NGOs have developed excellent guides for best practices towards mitigating ALDFG. However, these guides are either broad in scope or based on information from developed countries, and therefore contain guidance that is not applicable to African conditions. Consequently, this guide arose from the urgent need to gather data on ALDFG in Africa, and to simultaneously begin to develop best practices, that are useful for regional and/or local conditions within Africa. More to read: https://sst.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2024-ALDFG-in-Africa_Best-Practice-Guide_Digital-1.pdf

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The Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA), in collaboration with Stellenbosch University (SU), Sappi Southern Africa and Mpact, has announced a solution that converts paper sludge, food and textile waste into bioethanol.?Ethanol is a versatile starting material that finds diverse applications in the production of industrial chemicals, bio-based plastics and sustainable aviation fuel. More to read: https://www.mediaupdate.co.za/publicity/155985/pamsa-announces-sa-first-solution-to-convert-organic-waste-into-bioethanol

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France

What is the environmental impact of solar panels? Photovoltaic panel recycling sectors are being organized in France and Europe. ?Since 2014, manufacturers and importers of photovoltaic panels have been required by law to take back end-of-life solar equipment free of charge. And they?are required to contribute financially to the collection and treatment of waste. These efforts not only limit the need for raw materials but also reduce dependence on solar panels imported from China. More to read: https://www.greenpeace.fr/impact-environnemental-solaire/

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Donation of unsold food from supermarkets picks up criticism. The desire of the Garot law of 2016 to ban the "bleaching" of unsold consumables and to give them away was welcomed at the time. But the practice allowed by this law is now the subject of growing criticism. The quality of donations and their consequences on human health and dignity are being questionned. More to read: https://lesdecheticiens.fr/2024/03/18/le-don-dinvendus-alimentaires-des-grandes-surfaces-ramasse-les-critiques/

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The PRO Cyclevia for used mineral oil is launching a call for projects to set up in France the first regeneration unit for used mineral oils capable of producing group 2 and/or 3 base oils. This is a significant step forward for the entire sector. The regenerated base oil of groups 2 and/or 3 will have characteristics that will allow it to be incorporated into "new" lubricants intended for the latest generation of equipment, and in particular Euro 5 and 6 engines. More to read: https://www.actu-environnement.com/ae/pdt/cyclevia-regeneration-2024-usine-huiles-minerales-appel-projets-1323.php4#xtor=AL-68

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The use of plant-based plastics presented as compostable is increasingly being criticised. Nathalie Gontard, a researcher at the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE), is categorical:?"Whether plastic is made from cane sugar or petroleum, the environmental problem is strictly the same. These are synthesized polymers whose molecules do not completely degrade.?She points?in particular to polylactic acid (PLA), a resin presented as biodegradable, whereas it only degrades in industrial composting units where the temperature must reach 60°C.?"Only a few plastics are truly biodegradable, but they represent only a very small part of the plastics used, and will never be able to cover mass?consumption."?she adds. More to read: https://reporterre.net/Sortir-du-plastique-un-chantier-colossal

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EU & Other countries

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DEFRA has published its first policy statement on the UK’s deposit return scheme (DRS), delaying the scheme until October 2027.?The implementation is split into three phases:? (i) Regulation and deposit management organisation (DMO) appointment (by Spring 2025): During this phase, regulations will be finalised across all administrations, and DMOs will be appointed. Tasks in this phase include securing funding, appointing leadership teams, procuring essential resources and designing operational frameworks; (ii) DMO Set-up (Spring 2025 to Spring 2026): This period allows for the establishment of DMO(s) capable of effectively managing the DRS on behalf of industry. Activities will range from infrastructure development to digital and IT setup, and retailer and producer engagement and (iii) Rollout (Spring 2026 to Autumn 2027): The final phase focuses on operational readiness, including the establishment of national collection infrastructure, retailer preparations for return point installations and consumer engagement campaigns. By October 2027, the DRS will be fully operational across the UK.? More to read: https://www.letsrecycle.com/news/defra-officially-delays-drs-scheme-to-2027/?utm_campaign=letsrecycle.com%20newsletter&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz---dQBhVm4qeoDYFmg8QBtM2MuQrnX4jNdyBYYnSWQBARnoNV-J9mYt3OTB0Ozlcackyu4SpMhWRxrire1UBOaK4Bfuww&_hsmi=304493826&utm_content=304493826&utm_source=hs_email

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UK set to ban wet wipes containing plastics. The Scottish government has announced that wet wipes containing plastic are to be banned across the UK, following a consultation in which 95% of respondents supported the move. More to read: https://www.letsrecycle.com/news/uk-set-to-ban-wet-wipes-containing-plastics/?utm_campaign=letsrecycle.com%20newsletter&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8gm3p87GFWer1hg6s1KQ1R5rDsAtrQeYZVvBGpOmt-_o_KPM_PKUEkv5kICAtO928QbiZTeRc7uR9tPaZyCuWvtgVE5g&_hsmi=304493826&utm_content=304493826&utm_source=hs_email

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Overview of existing funding currently available for addressing plastic pollution through international funding arrangements (updated for the fourth session of the intergovernmental negotiating committee). There are four categories (Multilateral funding arrangements for addressing plastic pollution, Bilateral funding arrangements for addressing plastic pollution, Private funding arrangements for addressing plastic pollution and Private not-for-profit and hybrid actions, including blended finance, relevant to funding arrangements for addressing plastic pollution). These financing arrangements demonstrate specific commitment to addressing plastic pollution; they are linked to institutional structures and actors that influence the production, consumption and management of plastic from global to local levels, and they hold potential for signaling, catalytic and leveraging effects intended to direct other actors to realign investment/financing/expenditure priorities and practices towards circular plastics economies. There is also a number of innovative finance-relevant models are emerging, such as for instance plastic sustainability-related bonds, credits, offsetting and other initiatives. More to read: https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/45375/ExistingFunding.pdf

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The main sources of plastic debris found in the ocean are land-based, coming from urban and stormwater runoff, sewer overflows, littering, inadequate waste disposal and management, industrial activities, tyre abrasion, construction and illegal dumping. Ocean-based plastic pollution originates primarily from the fishing industry, nautical activities and aquaculture. Under the influence of solar UV radiation, wind, currents and other natural factors, plastic breaks down into small particles called microplastics (particles smaller than 5 mm) or nanoplastics (particles smaller than 100 nm). The small size makes them easy for marine life to ingest accidentally. More to read: https://www.iucn.org/sites/default/files/2024-04/marine-plastic-pollution-issues-brief_nov21-april-2024-small-update_0.pdf

?One step closer to mandatory EPR in Thailand. The country will also mandate the formation of a Sustainable Packaging Management Committee which will be granted the legal right to issue prohibitions on the production or import of certain single-use packaging in Thailand. Under existing Thai legislation, a prohibition on certain single-use plastic packaging in national parks has been in force since April 2022. However, this ban is limited in geographical scope. The new Draft Act will provide? with the necessary legal foundation to issue wide-reaching prohibitions across the territory of Thailand, for single-use plastic types. More to read: https://www.loraxcompliance.com/blog/env/2024/04/10/One_Step_Closer_to_Mandatory_EPR_Thailands_New_Draft_EPR_Law.html

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·?? New EU rules to reduce, reuse and recycle packaging. The rules include targets for reducing packaging (5% by 2030, 10% by 2035 and 15% by 2040) and require member states to reduce, in particular, the amount of plastic packaging waste. In order to reduce unnecessary packaging, a maximum empty space rate of 50% has been set for multipacking, transport packaging and e-commerce packaging. Manufacturers and importers will also need to ensure that the weight and volume of packaging is kept to a minimum. Certain types of single-use plastic packaging will be banned from 1 January 2030. These include packaging for unprocessed fresh fruit and vegetables, packaging for food and beverages packaged and consumed in cafes and restaurants, single-serve packaging (e.g. condiments, sauces, cream or sugar), miniature packaging for toiletries, and very light plastic bags (less than 15 microns thick). To prevent adverse health effects, the text prohibits the use of "perennial pollutants" (perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, or PFAS) above certain thresholds in food contact packaging. More to read: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/fr/press-room/20240419IPR20589/nouvelles-regles-europeennes-pour-reduire-reutiliser-et-recycler-les-emballages

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·?????? There are many ways of recycling. Recycling used diapers to turn them into something else such as, for example, solid fuel or building materials is one of them. Another method known as “circulation-based recycling” makes it possible to use them once again for the same purpose as diapers. Unicharm, a company in Japan, has started selling the world’s first recycled disposable nappies. The nappies use “horizontal” recycling, which is where the reproduced items are the same as those they were recycled from, as opposed to being turned into different products. The company said the nappies have been sterilised, bleached and deodorised to ensure they’re as clean as possible. https://www.unicharm.co.jp/content/dam/sites/www_unicharm_co_jp/pdf/csr-eco/education/en-education-report-01.pdf

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·?????? The separate collection of textiles will become mandatory in the EU from January 2025 and Member States will need to put in place an appropriate legislative framework and infrastructure. To this end, the European Commission has mandated Member States to introduce EPR schemes for textiles in its proposal for a revision of the WFD. This milestone comes with great risks for the re-use sector and beyond. Preserving municipal responsibility and existing collection systems run by social enterprises is key to mitigating those risks and ensuring that EPR schemes function as intended by EU legislation. Whereas it may appear only positive at face value for producers to have full responsibility for the goods they make, their interests clash with those of society at large. Producers undeniably have profit-driven motivations to favor the early recycling of re-usable goods. Contrary to this approach, social enterprises and municipalities, in their effort to act in the general public interest, strive to prioritise the waste hierarchy in which waste prevention, preparing for re-use and re-use take priority.? If a Member State decides to give operating permits to more than one PRO for textiles, meaning apparel, footwear and accessories, it is essential that an independent mechanism is set up at national level to ensure fair competition?and that all collectors are correctly compensated. When there are several PROs competing for the same waste stream in a Member State, it can become a fierce competition. Producers prioritise the PRO with the lowest fees, making it a race to the bottom for some. This leaves the cheaper PROs without sufficient funds to fulfil their obligations to cover the costs of collection, transport, sorting, recycling and recovery. Some organizations?advocate for the establishment of a single national PRO per waste stream as the preferred option. A single national PRO ensures a fair and level playing field for all producers and actors in the waste treatment chain. More to read: https://www.municipalwasteeurope.eu/sites/default/files/EPR_textiles_MWE-RREUSE%20paper_March%202024%20(1).pdf

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·?????? The right to repair: the rules clarify obligations for manufacturers to repair goods and encourage consumers to extend a product’s lifecycle through repair which is an essential step towards a circular economy. What does the legislation entail exactly??More to read: ?https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20240419IPR20590/right-to-repair-making-repair-easier-and-more-appealing-to-consumers

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·?????? UNEP launches two calls for funding on projects focused on the management of chemicals and waste, and mercury. More to read: https://minamataconvention.org/en/news/unep-launches-two-calls-funding-chemicals-and-waste-management-projects

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