Economic instruments for solid waste management in South Africa: Opportunities and constraints

Abstract

This paper presents results from a survey of waste management authorities aimed at identifying the opportunities and constraints associated with implementing economic instruments (EIs) for solid waste management (SWM) in South Africa (SA). Almost all respondents felt that EIs could lead to reduced waste generation and increased diversion of waste from landfill to recycling, and that they should eventually be implemented in the field of SWM in SA, although opinions varied as to the appropriate timeframe for implementation. The general consensus was that a number of fundamentals had to be in place first, including promulgation of the Waste Management Bill (which has since been promulgated as the Waste Act), political will, education and awareness, capacity and infrastructure development, cost recovery in waste management practices, and enforcement of existing instruments, such as the Minimum Requirements for landfill design and operation. Based on these and other issues raised by respondents, a number of recommendations are made for further research.