Govt Urges Producers to Boost Recycling and Integrate Waste Pickers

The Deputy Minister emphasized that the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework is key to driving change.

With landfill capacity in major cities nearing critical limits, the South African government has issued a strong call to Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) and industry players to significantly accelerate waste diversion efforts, particularly for plastics and composite packaging.

Speaking at the Waste Khoro Conference in Bloemfontein, Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Bernice Swarts warned that without urgent intervention, some urban centres could run out of landfill space within the next six years.

Over 60% Waste Still Landfilled: A Growing Environmental Risk

Swarts highlighted the scale of the challenge:

• More than 60% of South Africa’s waste is still sent to landfills

• Recycling and recovery rates remain insufficient to meet climate and development goals

“This is a figure we cannot afford if we are serious about sustainability,” she said.

The government is now pushing for a systemic shift toward a circular economy, where waste is treated as a resource rather than discarded.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) at the Centre

The Deputy Minister emphasized that the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework is key to driving change.

Under EPR, producers are expected to:

• Take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products

• Increase recycling and recovery targets

• Design products with end-of-life reuse and recyclability in mind

“PROs are well-positioned not just to meet targets, but to close material loops,” Swarts said.

Urgent Measures: Infrastructure, Innovation, and Market Development

To boost waste diversion, the government has called for immediate action in several areas:

• Expansion of Buy-Back Centres to incentivize recycling

• Increased investment in Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) across provinces

• Development of post-consumer recycling technologies

• Creation of markets for recycled (secondary) materials

These steps are aimed at strengthening the entire waste value chain—from collection to reuse.

Waste Pickers: From Informal Workers to Key Economic Players

A major focus of the address was the integration of waste pickers into formal waste systems.

Swarts stressed that waste pickers:

• Have long played a critical role in recovering recyclable materials

• Have done so without formal recognition, fair wages, or protections

“Waste pickers are not beneficiaries — they are central players in the waste economy,” she said.

The government is urging PROs to:

• Provide fair compensation and formal working conditions

• Ensure access to equipment and protective gear

• Offer training and capacity-building opportunities

She described inclusive EPR as “an imperative for justice, efficiency, and sustainability.”

Public Awareness Key to Recycling Success

The Deputy Minister also called for stronger consumer awareness campaigns, emphasizing that public participation is essential for effective waste management.

Key priorities include:

• Promoting separation at source

• Encouraging responsible disposal practices

• Raising awareness about the value of recyclable materials

Campaigns should be:

• Localized and multilingual

• Tailored to community needs

“An informed public becomes a driving force for innovation and accountability,” Swarts noted.

Waste Khoro Conference: Driving Policy and Collaboration

The Waste Khoro Conference, an annual platform organized by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), brings together:

• Government officials across national, provincial, and local levels

• Private sector stakeholders

• Waste management experts

The three-day event focuses on tackling key challenges, including:

• Landfill capacity constraints

• Recycling system inefficiencies

• Policy implementation under EPR

Toward a Circular and Inclusive Waste Economy

The government reaffirmed its commitment to:

• Enabling innovation in recycling technologies

• Ensuring transparency and accountability in waste systems

• Promoting job creation through waste recovery and reuse

By repositioning waste as a valuable input for manufacturing, South Africa aims to unlock economic opportunities while addressing environmental challenges.

A Critical Turning Point

With landfill space rapidly diminishing, the message from policymakers is clear: incremental change is no longer enough.

Accelerated recycling, stronger producer accountability, and inclusive participation—especially of waste pickers—will be essential to building a sustainable and resilient waste management system.