Weekly newsletter on Circular Waste Management in Africa and OECD countries #25-2024

South Africa

Consultation on Draft National Policy for the Management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment . More to read: https://www.saflii.org/za/gaz/ZAGovGaz/2024/288.pdf

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In a bid to champion Extended Producer Responsibility compliance and solar PV recycling practices, Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) Circular Energy NPC, has embarked on a strategic partnership with PV CYCLE, a distinguished European PRO renowned for its expertise in offering compliance and managing the end-of-life phase of photovoltaic (PV) Panels and the recovery of all its materials. Amidst the escalating worldwide demand for solar PV systems, the imperative to manage the collection, the recycling and the financing of PV Panels responsibly has intensified. Considering this, Circular Energy and PV CYCLE are uniting their efforts to establish pioneering industry benchmarks for comprehensive solar PV recycling in South Africa. Their shared objective is to ensure the preservation of clean energy technologies while reducing their ecological footprint. More to read: https://circular-energy.org/2024/06/19/circular-energy-and-pv-cycle-collaborate-to-enhance-solar-pv-compliance-and-recycling-practices/

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ALPLA partners with Re-Purpose for African recycling plant; The new recycling plant in KwaZulu-Natal will produce more than 35,000t of rPET annually. More to read: https://www.packaging-gateway.com/news/alpla-re-purpose-africa-recycling/

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A 2022 research report interviewed 226 bin pickers in Johannesburg about their work. Over 70% earn less than R600 a week. The graph below illustrates the income distribution among Joburg’s bin pickers, highlighting that most earn less than R600 per week. Across several recycling programs aimed at consumers, participation has been very low, with less than 20% of households participating. By one estimation, informal waste collectors diverted 82% of waste packaging material, about 1.47-million tons, from landfills in one year. This has saved municipalities roughly R608 million, and more if the cost of environmental impact is added, all at no cost to the taxpayer. Informal waste collectors, despite their challenges, make a significant impact on waste management in South Africa. Their role, often overlooked, is crucial in diverting waste from landfills and saving municipalities millions. The importance of their work cannot be understated, as they help mitigate the environmental impact of waste and support recycling efforts across the country. More to read: https://www.thesouthafrican.com/news/joburgs-bin-pickers-the-harsh-truth-about-their-pay/

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France

Intelligent Intelligence and Polymeo Watch: Recycled plastics, from regulations?to implementation. The?integration of recycled materials in plastic parts and products is a major and mandatory issue in the development and innovation strategies of companies in the plastics and composites sector. Indeed, the European Union has?introduced eco-design rules not only for packaging or energy-related products, but for almost all products on its market. More to read: https://contenu.ct-ipc.com/polymeo-base-de-donnees-materiaux

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EU & Other countries

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Despite persistent warnings from civil society and clear evidence that more ambitious food waste reduction targets are feasible and beneficial from both an environmental and an economic perspective, Member States have opted for the lowest range of targets proposed by the Commission: a 30% reduction for consumption and a 10% reduction for food processing and manufacturing by 2030, using 2020 as baseline, or an earlier date if appropriate data is available. However, the Council’s position leaves even more flexibility for Member States regarding the baseline year and introduces further uncertainties through correction factors for fluctuations in production volumes and tourism activities that still need to be defined in delegated acts. Besides, the issue of food waste at the primary production level remains unaddressed, with further action depending on a study expected no earlier than the end of 2027. Environmental organizations call for a 50% reduction of food loss and waste across the entire supply chain, in line with the commitments made under the 2018 revision of the WFD, as well as under SDG 12.3. More to read: https://eeb.org/member-states-advance-on-textile-waste-fall-short-on-food-waste-and-greenwashing/?mc_cid=ffd8c7edbe&mc_eid=36570328f0

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EU governments recognized that fees paid into EPR schemes by brands should be based on the quantity of products placed on the market. The EU Council has also called for EPR fees to consider the aggressive marketing and commercial practices that lead to overproduction and the premature disposal of clothing. However, Member States postponed any consideration of textiles waste management targets until 2028, and failed to advocate for a clearer global accountability framework ensuring that EPR fees can effectively support regions heavily impacted by used textile exports from the EU. More to read: https://eeb.org/member-states-advance-on-textile-waste-fall-short-on-food-waste-and-greenwashing/?mc_cid=ffd8c7edbe&mc_eid=36570328f0

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Navigating the circular economy reporting landscape?is available. Measurement and reporting are essential to the?circular economy?transition. Without measurement, there is no data with which to prove successes or demonstrate the economic rationale for shifting to circular business models. By reporting this data, businesses can show their circular business practices are helping to tackle global challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, waste and pollution. Reporting on?circular economy?performance also helps direct policymakers towards interventions that are most impactful. The world of corporate reporting is evolving and becoming more complex. This paper is designed to help companies navigate?circular economy?reporting and stay ahead of developments. It includes: An overview of different measurement and disclosure initiatives, including tools, voluntary reporting frameworks, and standards, A classification matrix for?circular economy?metrics, Recommendations on how to take advantage of the evolving?circular economy?measurement landscape by keeping ahead of trends, positioning your business as a?circular economy?leader and completing a measurement gap analysis. More to read: https://emf.thirdlight.com/link/msf8mv6pn6ou-jmu184/@/preview/1?o

Marine plastic recyclers Healix and Oceanize want to transform the recycling landscape for maritime ropes used in aquaculture. We recycle rope from fisheries and aquaculture. At our facility, the rope is sorted, washed and shredded before it is melted down and turned into plastic granulate (small plastic balls). The plastic granules are then sent to?Nopla ?in Leksvik, which uses them in the production of shopping baskets. More to read: https://oceanize.no/en/2024/02/07/vart-taugranulat-blir-til-handlekurver/

The report addresses global waste management challenges, particularly methane emissions from landfills. In 2020, 2.1 billion tons of municipal solid waste were generated, with 62% managed at controlled facilities and nearly half landfilled. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, significantly contributes to global warming from biodegrading landfill waste. Traditional gas capture methods are often ineffective, prompting a need for improved strategies. Biostabilisation, similar to composting, reduces methane production, rendering gas capture unnecessary. Mechanical Recovery and Biological Treatment (MRBT) enhances this by extracting recyclables from leftover waste, aligning with circular economy principles and effectively mitigating climate impact. More to read: https://zerowasteeurope.eu/library/reducing-waste-managements-contribution-to-climate-change-from-post-landfilling-methane-capture-to-pre-landfill-methane-prevention/

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Deconstruction Over Demolition. Modular construction—manufacturing of building components off-site in controlled warehouse environments—may also allow for easier deconstruction, reuse or refurbishment of specific modular formats for renovation or retrofit. In the U.S., there are a growing number of examples of modular construction, from Marriott promoting numerous modular hotels—notably the 26-story, 168-room AC Hotel New York NoMad, currently considered the world’s tallest modular hotel—to firms like Factory_OS leveraging the approach to boost affordable housing supplies. More to read: https://www.closedlooppartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Closed-Loop-Partners-Built-Environment-Report.pdf

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