City seeking proactive solutions to the waste management crisis

City seeking proactive solutions to the waste management crisis Friday, 21 July 2017 Release: Immediate Note to editors: The following speech was delivered by MMC for Environment, Infrastructure and Service Delivery, Cllr Nico de Jager, at the Waste Treatment Technology Dialogue hosted by Pikitup at the University of Johannesburg today. The City of Johannesburg is one of the most diverse, beautiful and progressive cities in the world, but we are facing a major challenge in terms of finding sustainable solutions to waste management. In terms of Typical Landfill Airspace, the City has no more landfill space available north of the City. In an effort to collectively safeguard the environment in a sustainable manner, the City developed an Integrated Waste Management Policy and Plan, which sets clear goals and targets to divert waste from landfill disposal by and 30% by 2021 and 93% by 2040. The amount of waste generated by communities, business and visitors to our city is increasing on a yearly basis. It is therefore crucial that we engage in dialogues such as the one of today, so that we can find proactive solutions to the waste management crisis we are facing as a City. Sustainable, integrated waste management is one of the most important service a City can provide to its residents. If we as a City fail to effectively manage the tonnes upon tonnes of waste that we generate, we are putting the health of our residents at risk. We must also take into account that illegal dumping vastly contributes to the waste management crisis of Johannesburg, and it costs the City approximately R170 million per annum to clean just these sites. As the City’s Waste Management Entity, Pikitup is mandated with: · Ensuring that all formal and informal areas are provided with adequate, reliable and uninterrupted waste collection services; · That programmes which will ensure that our city is rid of illegal dumping are implemented; and · Develop and implement comprehensive site management practices which includes introducing technologies that proactively deals with the waste crisis. Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba continually encourages each and every one of us to intensify our search for cleaner waste-based energy producing technologies. This will help strengthen the City’s commitment to recycling, by intensifying our Separation-at-Source programme. We must also continue to investigate the feasibility of both organic and material recovery facilities; and continue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by increasing the efficiency of our fleet and by investing in greener technologies for managing our waste. Mayor Mashaba also regularly states that “If Johannesburg works, South Africa works,” and rightly so. Our City is transitioning from the traditional waste collection process, where waste is collected, transported and disposed; to a city that prioritises waste avoidance, and the implementation of safe waste transportation, cleaner waste treatment and implementing disposal as a last resort. Currently the city has finalised two feasibility studies on waste treatment technologies: 1. Waste to Energy: Looking at a treatment technology for the City's residual, non -recyclable, non-biodegradable municipal solid waste; and 2. The 50 ton bio-degradable waste bio-digester pilot programme: Aim to up-scale to a bigger bio-digester to treat all biodegradable waste of the City. These feasibility studies will soon be taken out for procurement through public-private partnerships. Together we need to transform the City of Joburg into a City we all want to work, live and play in. For this to happen, we need the insight, guidance and innovative ideas of each and every one of you here today, so that we can ensure the future of Johannesburg is environmentally friendly and sustainable. The main objective of today’s dialogue is to achieve exactly this. We are gathered to discuss and brainstorm all possible Waste Treatment Technology ideas, in an effort gain a better understanding of the technologies available for sustainable waste treatment. I am honoured to be able to partake in this important dialogue today. I believe that with your help as waste experts and industry players, we can find collaborative solutions to the challenges our city face. Media enquiries: Muzi Mkhwanazi Pikitup Spokesperson