- Pilot e waste collection project launched in Mthatha to improve recycling and reduce environmental risks.
- South Africa generates more than 360 000 tonnes of e waste annually, with only a small share formally recycled.
- Programme has already collected more than 86 000kg of e waste nationwide and paid over R267 700 in community incentives.
Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Bernice Swarts has launched an e waste collection and recycling pilot project in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, aimed at strengthening waste management, protecting the environment, and creating local economic opportunities.
Speaking at the launch on Wednesday, Swarts described the initiative as a practical intervention to address the growing challenge of electronic waste, which is recognised as the world’s fastest growing waste stream due to increasing use of electronic devices and equipment.
She warned that discarded electronic products often contain hazardous substances that can pose significant risks to both human health and the environment if they are not properly managed.
According to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, South Africa generates more than 360 000 tonnes of e waste every year, while only a small proportion is formally recycled.
Swarts said government’s ban on disposing e waste at landfill sites, together with the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility regulations, reflects a national commitment to increasing the reuse, recycling, and recovery of electronic waste materials.
The Deputy Minister said municipalities such as King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality continue to face waste management challenges linked to limited infrastructure, low levels of public awareness, and insufficient waste minimisation programmes.
She said the pilot project aims to address these challenges by creating accessible collection systems and encouraging stronger community participation in recycling initiatives.
The broader e waste collection programme was first introduced during the 2024/25 financial year in Mpumalanga’s Bushbuckridge and Nkomazi local municipalities. It was later expanded to Rustenburg and Madibeng in North West Province, followed by the Cities of Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni in Gauteng.
Swarts also highlighted recent community engagement initiatives in the Northern Cape’s Ga Segonyana Local Municipality, where e waste collection programmes in rural and peri urban communities contributed to more than 86 000kg of e waste being collected nationally.
Communities participating in the programme have received more than R267 700 in incentives, demonstrating both the environmental and socio economic benefits of partnerships between government and Producer Responsibility Organisations.
The Eastern Cape project is being implemented through a partnership involving the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the Eastern Cape Department of Environment, King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality, and Producer Responsibility Organisations.
Swarts said the collaboration is expected to improve coordination between different spheres of government while ensuring implementation aligns with national policy and regulatory frameworks.
Community participation will form a central part of the initiative through the establishment of collection and drop off points, collaboration with local small businesses, and awareness campaigns aimed at promoting responsible recycling practices at household level.
Beyond environmental protection, the Deputy Minister said the initiative could also support job creation, skills development, and greater participation by SMMEs in South Africa’s growing recycling economy.
She added that the project supports the objectives of South Africa’s National Waste Management Strategy by reducing waste sent to landfill sites, increasing recycling rates, and promoting inclusive economic growth.
The initiative is expected to serve as a model for similar programmes across other municipalities in the Eastern Cape, with the department set to monitor progress through indicators including e waste volumes collected, community participation levels, SMME involvement, and employment opportunities created.
Swarts called on residents, businesses, and community structures across the OR Tambo District to support the initiative.
“Through collective effort, we can reduce environmental risks, recover valuable resources, and create sustainable livelihoods,” she said.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
Green Building Africa – Net Carbon Zero Buildings and Cities
www.greenbuildingafrica.co.za