Global Waste Experts Gather In Africa
By Own Correspondent – JOHANNESBURG – Waste industry experts from around the globe will arrive on South African soil for Africa’s largest Waste Management Conference, WasteCon2010, on 5 October this year..
The New Waste Act that came into effect on 1 July 2009 has all organizations in South Africa perplexed with the new standards that are being put in place when it comes to what is expected from them in terms of waste management. “At WasteCon2010, we hope to shed some light on what the implications are on organizations with regards to these new standards,” says Stan Jewaskiewitz, President of the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA).
The IWMSA are proud hosts of this biennial waste management conference. Department of Environmental Affairs is currently finalising the following standards under the NEM: Waste Act, 2008: Waste Classification Regulations; Standards for Assessment of Waste for Landfill disposal; and Standard for disposal of waste to landfill. These standards will replace the Minimum Requirements Series of documents.
“The implications of these standards will have a major impact on organizations,” says Dr. Suzan Oelofse, Chairman for the IWMSA’s Central Branch. “As these standards are being drafted as regulations, it has legal standing as opposed to the Minimum Requirements documents that were only guidelines. All landfills including un-permitted sites will therefore now be subject to these standards. This will have huge compliance implications as the containment barriers are also significantly different to what was previously included in the Minimum Requirements documents.
“The classification system for waste is also significantly different to what is required in terms of the Minimum Requirements. All waste streams, accept those that are pre-classified in the regulations, has to be re-classified using the new system within 18 months of the effective date of the regulations. The most significant change is that analysis of both total concentration and leachable concentration are required. The onus for classification of the waste rests with the waste generator. These new regulations will have financial implications to all waste generators and operations managers.” Oelofse indicated The Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA) is anticipating record
attendance at their biennial waste conference, WasteCon2010 this year. The conference will be hosted at Emperors Palace Convention Centre from 04 – 08 October 2010 focusing on the theme: “What is your Waste Footprint”
The IWMSA is a professional, multi-disciplinary organisation with voluntary membership established to promote the science and practice of waste management and is a non-profit organisation.
