IWMP Update August 2018

The National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008 (Act No 59 of 2008) Section 28 Notice was published on 6 December 2017. Paper and packaging was declared a priority waste by government. The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) held a meeting on Section 28 and waste management plans on the 1st August 2018.

The above meeting did not deliver the clarity required by the various industries on the way forward nor the specifics on the tangibles that must be adhered to with regards to the Waste Management Plans.

In brief, the following transpired:

• Section 28 forms the basis of the requirements for an IWMP.
• There was overwhelming consensus by industry attendees that an industry management plan, will be an optimal option for all stakeholders in the value chain.
• The DEA were non-committal on an industry waste management plan vs a government waste management plan through the Waste Bureau.
• The National Pricing Strategy for Waste Management (Government Notice 904 of 11 Au- gust 2016) was discussed, but no details were shared on how Treasury/SARS would be apportioning the possible levies.
• Industry and Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROS) where urged to send their Waste Management Plans to the Minister by the 5th September 2018.
• It was confirmed that once the Minister has made the decision on the submitted Waste Management Plans, all Producers would need to register to a Plan.

Timeframes were shared on the way forward – please see table below