Privatisation of waste management, a solution

The other setback identified regarding the questionable service delivery and waste management is due to the lack of adequate funds to carry out these services.

Does the solution perhaps lie in the privatisation of the waste management sector? This was a question that was raised at a recent workshop hosted by the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA) in the Eastern Cape. One of the solutions proposed was to contract out the various services directly to private contractors over a three to five year period which would help the contractors to plan and allocate resources accordingly.

Another option for consideration is that of a concession wherein a private sector company is granted a long-term concession to implement and operate a waste management system. Waste management services could also be provided through a public private partnership (PPP) wherein the municipality partners with the private sector who could provide the necessary financing and operational services.