Waste management licensing in the spotlight
Waste management companies operating without a licence can face penalties of up to R10m or a maximum of ten years imprisonment. These and other issues around licensing and legalities of operating in this space was discussed at a recent Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA) information session in Gauteng.
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"With the implementation of new regulations, the cost of landfilling hazardous waste will increase by about 20% and could double for general waste," says Dr Suzan Oelofse, president of the IWMSA. "It is important for us to keep our members informed about the latest developments and trends in the waste management sector, and therefore regularly host information and training sessions on pertinent waste related matters across the country."
Unique challenges
Guest speaker Zingisa Smale, director of Waste Management at the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, indicated that although the province is the smallest in South Africa, it presents unique waste management challenges, due to high urbanisation and large industrial areas.
Smale provided a comprehensive overview to delegates about all the regulations that are in place in Gauteng. Information was also shared about where to obtain licenses for waste activities in Gauteng, as well as which processes and channels to follow with the Department of Environmental Affairs for a national licence.
For more information on licensing, contact the Department of Environmental Affairs on +27 (0)12 310 3897 for national or for Gauteng contact Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on +27 (0)11 240 2500.
