More partnerships with the private sector to develop technological innovations to deal with waste management are needed in SA.
This is the word from environmental affairs minister Edna Molewa, who says sound waste management practices are essential to government's service delivery agenda.
There is a need to explore practical solutions to coordinate waste management initiatives, primarily through tech innovation, notes Molewa.
"We want to see more such initiatives that are at the cutting-edge of innovation; initiatives that create and promote new business opportunities and new jobs.
"We have, each and every one of us, within our grasp the means to speed up waste beneficiation and unlock economic opportunities in the sector for our people."
According to Molewa, the waste sector is one of the most important contributors to the generation of jobs in the green sector, with an estimated value of R25 billion to the South African economy.
"South Africa, like all economies in the world that want to get ahead, needs many entrepreneurs and the waste sector is no different."
Molewa states the Department of Environmental Affairs continues through its work to deal with "getting the basics right" on waste management.
"In this regard, we have prioritised the licensing of waste disposal sites. We continue to engage and empower communities affected by the negative impacts of illegal dumping and poorly managed landfill sites, as well as bolstering compliance monitoring and enforcement capacity and the implementation of authorised waste management best practice."
Share