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Promoting integrated resources management

BOITUMELONG INVESTMENT HOLDINGS

Expanding horizons

Recycling National Composting strategy on the cards

VlakfonteinA new

cutting-edge facility

Carbon taxIs treasury ready for

implementation?

Hazardous wasteComposting of

companion animal carcasses

The official journal of the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa

Expert Opinion

is printed on 100% recycled paper

“We are in a very dynamic phase in respect of legislation regarding managing South Africa’s waste.” Leon Bredenhann, strategic advisor integrated waste management, Golder Associates Africa

Institute ofWaste Managementof Southern Africa

+27 (0) 33 346 1444 • [email protected] • www.talbot.co.za

Talbot Laboratories is a commercial environmental laboratory specialising in chemical and microbiologicalanalysis of water, wastewater and solid waste. The specialists in our waste division adhere to the latest

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Talbot Laboratories is a business division of Talbot & Talbot (Pty) Ltd.

NEM:WAYour Responsibility, Our Solution

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tal10860_iwmsa_ad_a4_fa.pdf 1 2013/01/29 1:50 PM

Cover StoryBoitumelong Investment Holdings

Changing the South African waste

management landscape 6

RegularsPresident’s comment 3

IWMSA News 64

Hot seatGolder 8

Solid wasteSeeking out a national strategy on

the composting of organic waste 10

Tyre recycling plan ready to go after

several speed bumps 14

Solid waste management practices

in Western Africa 15

RecyclingTurning used oil into explosives

– recycling with a difference 20

LandfillsVlakfontein is the new futuristic

Class A landfill for Gauteng 25

The importance of GCL shear

strength in steep sloped landfills 29

Air pollution/CDMUnpacking SA’s coming carbon tax 32

Hazardous wasteMortality composting of companion

animals – novel and fresh 40

Health care waste Health care waste remains a global

challenge 47

Panel discussionThe A to Z of landfills and landfilling 49

WastewaterWastewater energy efficiency and

optimisation 56

ProfileLangkloof Bricks goes green,

gets gold 38

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GGGBBOITUMMMMELOOOOOONNGGGGGG BBOITUUUUMMMMMELLLLOOOOOOOOONNGGGGGGSSSINNVESTMEEEEEENNNENT HOLOOLOLLDLDLDLLL INGGGGGGSSSINNVESTMEEEEENENNENT HOLOLOLLLDLLDLLL INGGGG

Expanding horizons

Recycling National Composting strategy on the cards

VlakfonteinA new

cutting-edge facility

Carbon taxIs treasury ready for

implementation?

Hazardous wasteComposting of


02IS

SN 1

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490


“We are in a very dynamic phase in respect of legislation regarding managing South Africa’s waste.” Leon Bredenhann, strategic advisor integrated waste management, Golder Associates Africa

Institute ofWaste Managementof Southern Africa

contentswww.3smedia.co.za ISSN 1680-4902, Volume 15, Number 1, February 2013

The RéSource team stands firmly behind environmental preservation. As such, RéSource magazine is printed on 100% recycled paper and uses no dyes or varnishes. The magazine is saddle-stitched to ensure that no glues are required in the binding process.

RéSource February 2013 – 1

in association with }

infrastructure news infrastructure4 www.infrastructurene.ws

10 Recycling

40 Hazardous waste

56 Wastewater

32 Carbon tax

RéSource offers advertisers an ideal platform to ensure maximum exposure of their brand. Companies are afforded the opportunity of publishing a cover story and a cover picture to promote their products and services to an appropri-ate audience. Please call Christine Pretorius on +27 (0)11 465 6273 to secure your booking. The article does not represent the views of the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa, or those of the publisher.


Cover strapPresident's comment

Patron members of the IWMSA

Compliments and well wishes for a pros-

perous and fruitful 2013. At the IWM-

SA we are well into 2013 and ready to

tackle the goals we have set for ourselves for

this year and beyond. Our calendar of events

for this year is very noteworthy and some of

the highlights include The Healthcare Waste

Summit (May), Landfill 2013 (October) as well

as the Eastern Cape Conference (August). For

a more detailed list of all our events refer to

the Wastevine and the IWMSA website.

All our goals and objectives are aligned

to our vision, which is to strive towards a

clean and healthy environment. The goals

and objectives are the result of strategic

planning sessions we have had as council

and the inputs derived from our members via

questionnaires. In this edition, I would like

to introduce your IWMSA council to you and

expound on the various portfolios assigned

to the various council members in ensuring

that we constantly strive towards achieving

our vision.

Portfolio 1: To market and brand IWMSA as

an extension of our continuous communica-

tion portfolio where we focus on priorities as

defined by the council.

This portfolio is headed up by Gail Smit

(IWMSA executive officer) and branch chair-

persons for the specific conferences held

in their branches. The key objectives of this

portfolio include:

• development of marketing and

branding strategy

• development of marketing materials (web-

site, brochures, etc.)

Prosperity, planning & portfolios

• review of the branding manual

• evaluation and extensive utilisation of mar-

keting channels

• media training of all branch chairpersons

• hosting of conferences, seminars and net-

working sessions

• the Eastern Cape Branch Conference

headed up by Kay

Hardy (IWMSA

branch chairper-

son – Eastern Cape

Branch)

• WasteCon 2014

headed up by

Melanie Traut

(IWMSA branch

chairperson – Western Cape Branch).

Portfolio 2: To facilitate government liai-

son with all spheres of government.

This por tfolio is headed up by myself and

Dr Suzan Oelofse (vice president of the

IWMSA) and its key

objectives include:

• establishment of a forum for interac-

tion with Department of Environmental

Affairs (DEA)

• hosting of WasteCon back-to-back with

the DEA Waste Khoro

• all branches to have representation of

provincial and local government officials

• co-hosting of information sharing ses-

sions with regulatory authorities

• industry awards par tnerships with provin-

cial environmental authorities (such as

All our goals and objectives are aligned to our vision, which is to strive towards a clean and healthy environment.” Deidré Nxumalo-Freeman, IWMSA

by Deidré Nxumalo-Freeman, president, IWMSA

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Dr A Muswema, Ms M Traut, Dr S Oelofse, Mrs De Nxumalo Freeman, Ms K Hardy and Mr Bertie Lourens


RéSource is endorsed by:

Publisher: Elizabeth ShortenEditor: Yanna Erasmus Tel: +27 (0)11 233 2600Head of design: Frédérick DantonSenior designer: Hayley MendelowChief sub-editor: Claire NozaïcSub-editor: Patience GumboProduction manager: Antois-Leigh BotmaProduction coordinator: Jacqueline ModiseFinancial manager: Andrew Lobban Marketing & online manager: Martin HillerDistribution manager: Nomsa MasinaDistribution coordinator: Asha PursothamAdministrator: Tonya HebentonPrinters: United Litho JohannesburgTel: +27 (0)11 402 0571 Advertising sales: Christine PretoriusTel: +27 (0)11 465 8255 [email protected]

Publisher: MEDIA

No.4, 5th Avenue Rivonia, 2191PO Box 92026, Norwood 2117Tel: +27 (0)11 233 2600Share Call: 086 003 3300 Fax: +27 (0)11 234 7274/5www.3smedia.co.za

Annual subscription: [email protected] (incl VAT) South Africa ISSN 1680-4902

The Institute of Waste Management of Southern AfricaTel: +27 (0)11 675 3462E-mail: [email protected]

All material herein RéSource is copyright-protected and may not be reproduced either in whole or in part without the prior written permission of the publisher. The views and opinions ex-pressed in the magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or editor, but those of the author or other contributors under whose name contributions may appear, unless a con-tributor expresses a viewpoint or opinion in his or her capacity as an elected office bearer of a company, group or association.

© Copyright 2013. All rights reserved.

the KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape

Top Green Organisation awards).

Portfolio 3: To provide accredited edu-

cation and training relevant to the cli-

ent/municipality needs that will result

in high ethical conduct and standards

in the industry.

This por tfolio is headed up by Gail Smit

(IWMSA executive officer) assisted by a

national training committee with repre-

sentation of all the branches. The key

objectives of this por tfolio include:

• provision of accredited as well as

non-accredited training to the

waste industry

• development of national

training prospectus

• availing funds for training and develop-

ment of assessors and moderators to

conduct IWMSA accredited training

• utilisation of IWMSA members to con-

duct and facilitate training sessions.

Portfolio 4: To accredit member organisa-

tions (big, small and individuals) through

the development of a model (assessment

standard/audit) that will accredit our

member organisations, yet include men-

torship as part of the package.

This portfolio is headed up by Bertie

Lourens (IWMSA branch chairper-

son – Central Branch) and its key

objectives include:

• establishing status quo and determine

various modalities

• conducting extensive stakeholder

consultation

• development of model that incorpo-

rates stakeholder feedback.

Portfolio 5: To involve ourselves in social

responsibility opportunities with school

programmes, supporting communities

and providing assistance to those with

existing programmes resulting in tangi-

ble grassroots impact where projects get

benchmarked and used by municipalities

as well as small and micro enterprises.

This por tfolio is headed up by all

branch chairpersons and its key

objectives include:

• development of evaluation criteria for

social responsibility projects to fund

• support of IWMSA member organisa-

tions in the school/NGO categories.

Portfolio 6: To ensure that the institute

transformation policy is all-encompassing

so that this has an influence on the

needs of the members.

This portfolio is headed up by Aubrey

Muswema (IWMSA branch chairperson

– KwaZulu-Natal Branch) and Gail Smit

(IWMSA executive officer) and its key

objectives include:

• conducting status quo and needs

assessment based on the seven

BBBEE pillars:

– PDI (previously disadvantaged individu-

als) ownership percentage

– PDI senior management percentage

– PDI employment equity percentage in

work force

– Skills development percentage of sal-

ary bill

– Preferential procurement percentage

– Enterprise development percentage

– Social development percentage

• set objectives for Council and branches

to achieve.

I hope this provides insight into the goals

and objectives that we have set for our-

selves as the IWMSA council. Your assis-

tance in the attainment of these goals

and objectives is crucial to ensure that

the IWMSA remains relevant within the

waste industry. Your feedback is highly

valued and we have numerous com-

munication platforms where your voice

can be heard. Besides the traditional

methods of communication (telephone,

fax, e-mails, snail mail), we also utilise

social media extensively to maintain

contact with our membership base and

also reach other industry professionals.

Below is a list of all our contact details

and you are most welcome to communi-

cate with us utilising any (or all) of these.

Your input in directing the future of the

IWMSA is highly valued.

President's comment

IWMSA CONTACT DETAILS:

Tel: +27 (0)11 675 3462 Fax: +27 (0)11 675 3465E-mail: [email protected]: Weltevreden Shopping Centre Cnr. Kanniedood & Rinyani streets, Weltevreden ParkPostal Address: PO Box 79, Allen’s Nek, 1737

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Find us on LinkedIn

IWMSA CONTACT DETAILS:

6 – RéSource February 2013

Cover story

The acquisition process has recently

been completed, as the majority of ne-

gotiations and final agreements were

already put in place in the final quarter of

2012, say Lerena and Sithole.

The acquisition will strengthen

Boitumelong’s already strong position in

the local market, in light of its recent

partnership with leading manufacturer of

waste management equipment in Europe,

the Ros Roca Group, under Lefatse Vehicle

Solutions. “The result of Boitumelong’s

acquisition of Otto is the formation of the

first entirely BEE company to focus on

the manufacturing of waste management

products, as well as the service offerings

aspects,” explains EMC Risk Management

Consulting’s MD, Juneas Lekgetha, in

his capacity as transactional advisor on

the acquisition.

Strong rootsBoitumelong Holdings was started in 1988

by Sithole from humble beginnings – a

single borrowed flat-bed truck and eight

casual labourers. The organisation has since

evolved dramatically into a major operation

focusing on the entire value chain of waste

management, and currently hosts a large

fleet of service vehicles with a substantial

staff collective offering world-class waste

management services to residential, com-

mercial and industrial customers.

Otto Industries South Africa was estab-

lished in 1981 as only the second for-

eign investment of the group outside of

Germany. Since then, however, the group

has grown exponentially, with bases in

Australia, North America, and Asia Pacific,

not to mention their expansion into other

European markets. The changing interna-

tional dynamic and economics have neces-

sitated a change in its business model.

“They are focusing more on markets in the

European and North American sectors, and

as a result they have stopped doing busi-

ness in South Africa,” explains Lerena.

Long historySithole and Boitumelong Holdings are, how-

ever, no strangers to Otto Industries South

Africa. Sithole bought a 20% share in Otto

Industries in 1995 and in 2000 both com-

panies entered into a 50:50 joint venture to

form Otto Waste Systems.

The latest acquisition negotiations were

resolved fairly quickly in light of these

already strong bonds, with Boitumelong

entering into negotiations in June last

year and the final agreements

being reached in December 2012.

“This is pending approval of all the

necessary documentation to be finalised in

the first quarter of 2013,” explains Sithole.

As a result of the JV, Sithole was 50%

owner of Otto Waste Systems, which meant

he was not new to the business, with a

good understanding of not only the industry

and market but also the organisation – this

was one of the key aspects in the negotia-

tions. “The other partners knew him and his

business practices well, and felt comfort-

able entering into discussions with him as

they believed this would make the transi-

tion through the acquisition smoother. That

made it very easy to enter into negotiations

for both parties,” explains Lerena.

Optimising efficienciesSithole believes the transition will take place

with minimal upheaval. “Basically what

we will be doing is evalu-

ating efficiencies and

structures in order to

Black-owned investment company Boitumelong Holdings has acquired the previously

internationally owned Otto Industries South Africa and Otto Waste Systems. Otto’s MD,

Rob Lerena, and Boitumelong Holdings’ executive chairman, John Sithole, speak to

RéSource about the acquisition.

BOITUMELONG HOLDINGS

Acquisition to change local waste management landscape


Cover story

strengthen systems and processes already

in place. It is really more about strengthening

the business,” he says.

The increased focus on effectiveness and

efficiency is almost instantaneously evident

when considering that the previous owner

was based in Europe and managed the

business long distance by proxy, believes

Lekgetha. “The new owner, Boitumelong

Holdings, is based in South Africa. It knows

the waste management market and the

role players, so it will be easier to identify

efficiencies as it takes a more hands-on

approach,” says Lekgetha.

The increase in output efficiencies is

not the only reason the team forecast a

better business result – its strengthening

BEE status is also likely to play a strong

role. Boitumelong Holdings’ chief executive,

Tumelo Sithole, says: “We are a black-

owned company in the entirety now. We will

be getting a Level 2 or 3 BEE rating in the

next three to four months; however, we are

targeting a Level 1 rating, be it now or in

the long run.”

John Sithole adds: “I think this in itself

will open up a number of opportunities with

regards to new contracts and new market

opportunities not previously available to

the organisation, due to the preference

availed to BEE companies in local govern-

ment contracts specifically. This will allow

is a lot of potential to benefit from introduc-

ing our system,” says John Sithole.

Holistic approachBoth John Sithole and Lerena are quick to

indicate that it is not just bins they are sell-

ing and marketing, but rather a holistic waste

management system.

Although the recently acquired Otto Waste

Systems’ focus has to date been on the pro-

duction of virgin high-density polyethylene,

ultra-violet stabilised waste containers for

provincial and municipal authorities, as well

as industrial and private contractors, the bin

is merely one aspect of the recovery and

collection system. “The advantage of advo-

cating the entire system is that it increases

the waste management process effectivity,

while saving significant costs, introducing a

number of controls and ensuring the correct

hygiene practices,” says Lerena.

However, education remains key in ensur-

ing the successful roll-out of the system.

“You still have to teach the individual house-

holds how the system works so that they can

effectively take advantage of the system,”

says John Sithole , adding that this education

needs to be happening from the point of the

service provider to the end user in order to

ensure peak performance.

While Otto’s speciality is in the manufac-

ture and supply of waste management tools,

Boitumelong Holdings is involved in the

service provision aspects of waste manage-

ment, which adds significant value as the

focus then becomes holistic in nature.

“We are not only going to be manufactur-

ing a bin. We also offer the services to back

that up. It is going to be a one-stop shop

where we supply everything from a truck

to a lifter, to the bin, to education,” says

John Sithole.

John Sithole and the team are quietly

confident that with the recent acquisition

and continued growth on Boitumelong’s

side, 2013 is going to be a growth year for

the new firm. “It has to be in light of recent

developments, and our expectations are

high going forward,” concludes Sithole.

Left to right: Otto Industries South Africa’s Rob Lerena, Boitumelong Holdings’ executive chairman, John Sithole, and Boitumelong Holdings’

chief executive, Tumelo Sithole

Otto Industries South Africa specialises in the manufacture of waste management tools such

as plastic containers and wheelie bins

us to collaborate with more municipalities

that were not previously in the system.”

He adds that the most exciting reality or

opportunity for him is when the cumulative

waste management system they now offer

gets into townships. “This spells immense

growth for us.”

SADC and beyondJohn and Tumelo Sithole and Lerena indicate

that expansion into Africa has been targeted

as a growth strategy for the organisation

moving forward. “Growth is coming to Africa.

I think Europe is exhausted. It has been in the

system for years and Africa is only just being

introduced to it,” says John Sithole

Lerena points out that in the sub-Saharan

region specifically, business is still being

entered into with Europe, at immense cost.

“Why are they not doing business with

Africa when the resources and technology

are available?”

Although this is a strategic focus, the

organisation has already garnered some

small orders and is currently setting up a

number of agents throughout the region,

with a focus on the SADC region predomi-

nantly. “We want to strengthen our influence

in the SADC countries and then use it as a

springboard into the rest of sub-Saharan

Africa,” says Lerena, adding that the entire

process is all about exploring partnerships

– both established and potential.

The challenge – and the potential in some

respects – lies in the fact that SADC coun-

tries have very different waste management

environments compared to the South African

markets. “It is a very dynamic and different

market. Look at Angola for example.

It is a fast-growing economy and

country, and yet it is not in the

system and their waste system is

not up to scratch as yet, so there

Production on-site is set to continue as normal after the changeover

of ownership


Hot seat

We are in a very dynamic phase in re-

spect of legislation regarding man-

aging South Africa’s waste. Not only

in terms of the primary legislation – the Waste

Act – but also in implementing the Act,” says

Leon Bredenhann, Strategic Advisor for Inte-

grated Waste Management at Golder in Africa.

Golder will therefore be holding waste man-

agement workshops to engage the waste

management sector on the legislation and

the implications of the rollout thereof, among

other aspects. The workshops will be held

in May this year in three of South Africa’s

key cities, namely Johannesburg, Durban

and Cape Town. The workshops are aimed

at senior decision-makers in companies per-

taining to waste management responsibili-

ties in mining, oil and gas, energy, chemical

manufacturing industries (including pharma-

ceutical) and the agricultural industry, as well

as decision-makers in government.

The workshops are set to host a number of

international speakers in order to contextual-

ise the local dialogue in the global context,

as well as a number of local waste manage-

ment experts.

A definite needThe necessity for the workshop in the current

local waste management context is clear,

believes Bredenhann. The most proactive,

financially rewarding and long-term cost-

efficient way to protect our environment and

contribute to resource conservation is in the

opportunity and choice that each individual

manufacturer, industry, mine and owner of

a waste activity company is presented with

– namely to prevent and/or minimise waste,

optimise its resource value and advance green

economies. In this way, proactively managing

waste makes economic sense.

“For a number of reasons, managing waste

and implementing supporting legislation

have become increasingly challenging, espe-

cially if considered against the backdrop of

South Africa being a developing country that

is home to mining and industry infrastruc-

ture on a par with developed countries. The

challenges are compounded by the reality of

limited water resources and a significantly

eco-tourism-based economy. However, in a

truly democratic society, governance is a

joint responsibility. A platform to discuss

not only the various issues, but also an

opportunity to share ideas and innovations

is critical to any industry and so too, with

waste management,” says Bredenhann. The

waste management workshops will therefore

create a forum where the current status quo

of waste management and the environment

will be discussed.

“It is also critical that the industry achieves

the objectives of the various Acts contained

in the legislation pertaining to waste and this

will be unpacked – including strategies, clas-

sifications and processes. There is also a lot

of work that needs to be done in terms of

remediation, contaminated land and wastage

WASTE MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP

Golder Associates unpacks waste management legislation, its implementation and the

future impacts in what is sure to be defi nitive waste management workshops, to be held

in May 2013.

“

Focusing on a sustainable future


Hot seat

in the industry. Technologies and their various

applications will be discussed and explained,

and ideas will be shared. National waste

management systems, waste to energy and

WRATE (Waste and Resources Assessment

Tool for the Environment) will also be brought

to the fore,” says Bredenhann.

The workshops, which are seen as a

platform to engage rather than transfer

knowledge in a top-down fashion, will consist

of four key focus areas, namely unpacking

the current legislation, Golder’s approach to

translating the current contexts and oppor-

tunities into value, the value of sustain-

able design in landfills, and

finally assessing ‘where to

from here’.

Examining current legislationAccording to Bredenhann the

current legislation is very

dynamic and comprehensive;

however, the focus from here on out needs

to be on implementation and industry buy-in.

This starts with the national waste manage-

ment strategy that is a course of action – a

road to achieve the objectives of the law – and

it affects everybody in society, from national

government to local government, industry and

the rights of individuals.

“It’s a strategy that has a huge impact

and needs to be understood by all the role

players in the waste management stream

and this is what we will also be unpacking

in the workshops.” Additionally, best prac-

tice standards are also to be investigated,

touching on issues relating to how to classify

waste, how to manage waste information,

which disposal sites are acceptable and

what standards are required for disposal

sites. This entails a keen understanding of

what Bredenhann terms the “fundamentals

of the law”.

The first focus of the workshops therefore

seeks to give a holistic overview of the cur-

rent legislative environment. “It is about

where we stand currently in South Africa in

respect to legislation and what the legislation

requires from us. And what the implications

of conformance and non-

conformance are. The

beauty of conformance is

that it could, if correctly

managed, add value to a

company’s financial bot-

tom line.”

A company’s sole aim,

however, should not be

compliance. “It is one thing to gain compli-

ance, but it is better to save costs, reduce

risks and increase your organisation’s sus-

tainability,” says Bredenhann. This view also

relates to rectifying past transgressions and,

through the workshops, the company will

seek to specifically address the issue of con-

taminated land and how to rehabilitate that

land. “We want to go beyond remediation

though. We want to take remediated land

and allocate new land use and this is where

the value is unlocked,” he says.

With regards to Golder’s contaminated

land service offering, “the value in Golder’s

expertise is managing the spectrum of

sources that results in land contamination,

whether that spectrum involves organic,

inorganic or nuclear waste, and modelling

the risk to ultimate receptors and mitigating

against those risks through various means”.

The economics of wasteAnother focus area is the resource value

of waste, which is also a focus area in the

Waste Management Act, and how this value

in the waste chain can be unlocked. “The

Act almost lists the opportunities where you

could, instead of creating and disposing of

waste, explore opportunities for deriving extra

value from that waste,” says Bredenhann.

In dealing with this topic, a two-pronged

approach should be taken. First, investigat-

ing the legal process of getting approval for

recovery and managing the risk in respect of

third-party use (downstream use). Second,

from a more practical perspective, the work-

shops will unpack optimising and investigat-

ing those opportunities through feasibility

studies around the application, all the way

through to implementation.

Other technologies to be investigated

include using WRATE

modelling to optimise

efficiency in respect

of waste logistics and

reducing organisations’

carbon footprint as a

result, as well as reme-

diation options for the

closure of mines.

Sustainable designThe third focus highlighted by Bredenhann

is on integrated waste management facili-

ties as opposed to just disposal facilities.

“The essence of an integrated facility is that

rather than just accepting that waste arriving

at landfills is earmarked for final disposal, it

is viewed as an opportunity to gain value. It

is not a new concept; however, specialists

should be contracted to translate the value

chain into operation – design wise – which is

where the shortfall often arises.”

In addition to

focusing on mate-

rial recovery, storage, treatment and then

only disposal, the approach should be to

ensure that these facilities operate as

value-adding facilities in the communities

or locations where they are based using

specific modelling tools, namely Landsim,

Goldsim and the newest tool in the arsenal,

Gassim. These manage the risk of those

landfills on the downstream side.

“Positioning a landfill is also critical in

managing costs for transferring waste to

that landfill and also in managing the social

sensitivities, where air and odours are key

issues for the public downstream. Specific

air quality modelling should be used to deter-

mine the distance.”

A visionary approachThe final category attempts to “look in the

crystal ball and build a bridge between the cur-

rent status quo and the realities of the future,”

says Bredenhann. This entails managing peo-

ple from situations (such as contaminated

land) to a sustainable future and debating

what that reality will entail, while trying to

prevent repetition of the inherited legacy of the

past. The questions to be asked, according

to Bredenhann, are: What do we do now?

What do we need to do differently? What can

we do collectively?

Interested parties who would like to attend

these workshops can contact Golder’s media

relations manager in Africa, Lucinda Scholtz,

on +27 (0)11 313 1151 or via e-mail on

[email protected].

The Act almost lists the opportunities where

you could, instead of creating and disposing of

waste, explore opportunities for deriving extra value

from that waste.” Leon Bredenhann, Strategic Advisor for Integrated

Waste Management at Golder in Africa


Solid waste

Recycling the way nature intended

That South Africa has to divert waste from landfi ll sites and fi nd other management

options is a given. One of the simplest options is the diversion of organic waste from

landfi lls with a possible view of composting it. The Department of Environmental

Affairs has tasked engineering and environmental consultant Jeffares & Green to

develop a national strategy on this, as Yanna Erasmus discovers.


Solid waste

Unofficial estimates put organic waste

around the 13% mark of the total

waste produced in South Africa and

roughly a third of this is being composted,

recycled or reused. However, the composition

of domestic waste differs vastly across mu-

nicipalities in South Africa and organic waste

can make up anything from 10% to 58% of the

waste stream. Whatever the figures may be,

there is a lot of waste going to landfill that

should be diverted, particularly due to the fact

that this type of wet waste is the key contribu-

tor to leachate and greenhouse gas produc-

tion on landfills. As such, the Department of

Environmental Affairs should be commended

for having a strategy developed for compost-

ing. The department should also continue to

apply its energy looking at other possible alter-

natives once this composting alternative has

been addressed.

According to Stuar t Gower-Jackson

of Jeffares & Green, the creation of the

National Organic Waste Composting Strategy

will soon be complete. This project required

a lot of initial groundwork in trying to estab-

lish some form of status quo of organic

waste quantum in the country due to a

lack of quantifiable data on organic waste

volumes produced in the provinces, as well

as data that differentiates between differ-

ing organic waste streams. A literature and

review of the current applications of organic

waste in South Africa and elsewhere in the

world was conducted along with a review of

the relevant legal requirement(s) in South

Africa and then comment was sought from a

database of over 1 000 stakeholders, which

included individuals, companies, NGOs and

public entities.

A draft status quo document was circulated

for public comment until 21 November 2012,

after which a final document was written

to include the pertinent comments and

responses received from the public.

According to Gower-Jackson: “A country’s

strategy should be practical, implementable,

applicable and affordable. Most importantly,

it should be sustainable and must have

broad-based participation on all levels.”

Technically, food and abattoir waste along

with offal and manure could all be cat-

egorised as organic waste. Paper, wool and

other organic materials and certain sewage

sludge could also be included into this cat-

egory; it is not just regular garden waste that

applies. This will have to be included into a

strategy so that the different categories of

organic waste streams and the beneficial

use thereof are defined.

Interestingly, there is no specific legisla-

tion that deals with composting itself. The

onus rests upon the municipalities to man-

age organic waste and the only legislation

that is applicable to composting is the con-

struction of a facility as well as the activities

and processes on the site. Further, in terms

of the Air Quality Act, if more than a tonne of

animal matter is processed daily, an emis-

sions licence must be applied for. Finally,

the seller of any compost product must reg-

ister with the Department of Agriculture’s

Technical Services.

Composting methodsComposting methods are diverse and can be

separated by the level of technology used to

prepare the compost. In the draft document

drawn up by Jeffares & Green, the lowest

technological level is the static pile where no

aeration is used. These piles can be quite

large, starting at around a cubic metre. Low-

technology applications include the use of

bins or barrels, windrows and vermicompost-

ing (as examples). In the case of the former,

aeration can be introduced in various ways,

including carton layers or possibly turning the

windrows, and in the latter earthworms are

used to degrade the matter. From here on it

moves to medium and high technology where

equipment, including turning machines,

mechanised continuous flow worm systems,

tunnels and other vessels, and even cylin-

drical drums are used. Lower and cheaper

technology use tends to take longer, needs

more space and delivers a variable grade

product. Alternatively a higher-value compost

product can be developed in a smaller space

(although at added expense). The simpler

technologies would be easily applied and

operated by municipalities or private sector

but, as medium and high technological inputs

are required, public-private partnerships and

predominantly private sector initiatives would

tend to be more common.

CommentaryMain concerns from stakeholders were on

the financial viability of composting since the

return on investment is slow and the profit

ABOVE AND BELOW Composting methods are diverse and can be separated by the level of technology used to prepare the compost


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Waste Tire Recycling PlantsWaste Tire Recycling Plants

margins small. Adding value to organic waste

or turning it into energy were both strong

themes in the general comments and the

South African Waste Pickers Association took

it one step further saying the beneficiation

of organic waste was vital for the associa-

tion. Mention was also made of the use of

chemical fertilisers by commercial farmers

with suggestions of an awareness campaign,

synergies with the agricultural departments

and other efforts. However, some parties

were concerned about the regular and con-

sistent supply of raw material (feedstock) for

operations to ensure consistency of product

and delivery. Here suggestions were made

for municipalities to communicate better,

work together and do improved research

to gather more informative baseline data.

The diversion of organic waste from landfill

also featured strongly, one of the causes

of informal reclaimers on landfill sites, and

comments included legislation to prevent

organic waste from going to landfill as well

as separation at source initiatives. One

key issue is the cost of transport, which

financially hinders initiatives. Capacity (also

for equipment maintenance), public aware-

ness, incentives, subsidies, public private

partnerships and a good commercial mar-

ket appear to form the backbone of the rec-

ommendations and comments made, and

these would certainly have to be included

in a country strategy if composting is to

become the way forward for some of the

country’s organic waste .

At the star t of 2012, Jeffares & Green

began to host more stakeholder work-

shops, garner more commentar y and

engage the major metros again, among

other key stakeholders. More informa-

tion from what is being done in this field

is also being gathered. The process is

expected to be completed soon and a plan

for the country’s organic waste should

emerge; hopefully leading the way for fur-

ther diversion from landfill.

Solid waste


Solid waste

The Retail Motor Industry (RMI) had at-

tacked the Redisa plan on several

matters, but Judge Neil Tuchten found

one point of contention – that of Section

15.1 where waste reduction targets were dis-

cussed. Counsel for the RMI, Japie Vorster,

told the court that not only were the targets

flawed, but the section was added after the

closure of the period for industry and public

comment. This, Vorster said, made the plan

illegal as the changes made were ‘material’.

According to the plan, the targets for

waste reduction were: “Within 12 months,

processing of 30 000 tpa of waste tyres;

within 24 months, processing of 90 000 tpa

of waste tyres; within 36 months, process-

ing of 150 000 tpa of waste tyres; within

60 months, processing of 400 000 tpa of

waste tyres.”

The RMI contends that according to an

independent expert report, “it would cause

a backlog of 427 917 t of waste tyres by

month 41. This is approximately double the

waste tyre mass sold in South Africa annu-

ally.” In fact, the court heard that Redisa’s

own figures had substantiated the calcula-

tion of the backlog. Redisa countered that

within 10 years the backlog would be entirely

removed, but its plan has only been approved

for five years. Vorster said that the plan has

to be republished for comment. The minister

of Water and Environmental Affairs, Edna

Molewa, who has been to court several times

to defend the plan, removed the section

under contention and it was published again.

The levy of R2.30/kg also came under fire

with Vorster telling the court that R33 mil-

lion had been spent by Redisa to ready

its infrastructure. Monthly office rent of

R300 000 and fittings of R8 million were fur-

ther costs incurred, all of which would have

to be paid for by the tyre levy. A reasonable

decision-maker, Vorster said, would never

have approved the plan.

Molewa’s speedy response was welcomed

by Redisa. Its CEO, Hermann Erdmann, said:

“We are very pleased that the minister has

taken such prompt action to resolve the

chaos that the suspension of the plan was

causing in the tyre industry. Getting the plan

suspended pending a review application

meant that the industry would have been in

a state of uncertainty for months, not know-

ing if the waste tyre management fee was

going to have to be paid or not. A review

application takes months to complete, and

for all that time the industry would have

had to provisionally set aside funds to pay

the fee if the Review Court found in favour

of the minister, and deal with refund claims

if it found against her. By re-gazetting the

plan, the minister is following the resolution

proposed in the judgment and bringing san-

ity back into the tyre market.”

About the planScrap tyres are a great challenge in South

Africa as between 10 and 15 million tyres are

produced annually and around 10 million tyres

are scrapped every year. There are only three

active tyre recycling companies in the country

at present, recycling around 1 000 t each,

which means an estimated 13% of waste

tyres are recycled. The balance typically ends

up in landfills, dumped in the veld or illegally

burned for their scrap steel content. This,

in turn, creates a growing health and envi-

ronmental problem. Redisa says that it will

“establish a network of transporters to collect

scrap tyres from the entire country, supply

them to recyclers and provide support and

help to develop secondary markets for the

recyclers’ output products. In doing so, the

plan is designed to create jobs, particularly

in the informal sector, and create majority

black-owned small and micro businesses.”

Redisa’s plan thus has focused on creating

employment opportunities in the removal of

waste tyres that are already in the environ-

ment. These will be delivered to one of the

150 collection points that will be established

across the country.

In essence, the plan involves a levy

of R2.30/kg on all locally manufactured

and imported tyres. Instead of the pro-

ducer responsibility system for recycling,

the association opted for a levy system.

The decision was based on the argument

that producer responsibility is a voluntary

system, which does not offer a fair playing

field. In a levy system, all producers and

importers operate equally.

Readers requiring further information can log

on to www.redisa.org.za

REDISA

Scrap tyre plan survives another blowThe much beleaguered waste tyre management

plan of the Recycling and Economic Development

Initiative of South Africa (Redisa) was re-

gazetted on 30 November last year after the

Retail Motor Industry won an interdict against

the implementation of the plan 10 days earlier,

Yanna Erasmus reports.

Scrap tyres are a great challenge in South Africa as between 10 and 15 million tyres are produced annually and around 10 million tyres are scrapped every year


Solid waste

PART III OF IV

Solid waste management practices in Western AfricaIn Western Africa, the rapid rate of uncontrolled and unplanned urbanisation, coupled

with a high density of urban settlement and changing consu mption patterns, have

accelerated the need for water supply, sanitation and waste management infrastructure.

This is the third instalment of four parts

of a paper investigating waste manage-

ment and its challenges in the west of

the African continent.

Plastic wasteAccording to the survey results, separate col-

lection of plastic waste only exists in Lagos,

Nigeria, through separate collection bins,

skips or bags. The collection is organised

by the Lagos Waste Management Authority.

In addition, plastic waste is also collected

informally. The official collection rate reaches

around 35% of the total plastic waste gener-

ated. More than 1 500 formal and informal

workers are engaged in the plastic collection

and transportation. For transportation, open

trucks and compactor trucks are used. In all

other cases, plastic waste is informally and

formally collected within the municipal solid

waste collection system. Therefore, the collec-

tion frequency as well as the collection tech-

nology is the same as for household waste.

There are informal waste collectors that

sort plastic waste out of municipal waste

and sell it to generate income. In Accra,

about 8% of the total plastic waste gener-

ated is estimated to be recovered by pri-

vate collection companies. There are groups

that deal with plastic waste by operating

collection points and by selling the collected

plastic to bulk purchasers who collect it with

trucks for further processing in the country

or for export. Others operate at the landfill

site where they sort out any useful material

and sell it to prospective buyers. All these

activities happen informally, though on an

increasing scale.

Plastic reuse, mainly of plastic bottles, is a

common practice. In Dakar, there are many

informally organised practices of plastic

reuse. On the Mbeubeuss dumpsite near

Dakar, groups of women wash and clean

plastic bottles for reuse. They sell the bot-

tles to women merchants. Other activities

include the sewing of plastic sheets to pro-

duce roofs for rural houses, the recuperation

of material to make cushions or refurbishing

handbags to sell them again. The Tolbiac

Street in Dakar is the main area where

plastics are recovered, collected, sorted

and recycled by the informal waste pickers

and recyclers. It is ideally situated to collect

plastics from industrial waste, close to the

port, the industrial free zone and various

markets. In Ghana, few companies reuse

polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate

(PET) and polypropylene (PP) bottles and

bags are produced from discarded plastic

materials. Information on plastic reuse is

scarce. In Nigeria, reused plastic wastes are

mainly bags, bottles, barrels and films, so

it is again focused on PE and PET products.

There are around 2 500 formal and informal

workers engaged in the reuse and recycling

of plastics.

In Dakar, mainly PE and PP is collected.

The plastic is directly brought to the recycling

plant. The treatment processes are quite

simple and include manual sorting (PE and

PP from the others), washing and drying of

the plastics. Mechanical recycling processes

such as shredding or extruding exist in few

cases. In Accra, a sorting plant is under con-

struction. Only few companies are involved

in plastic recycling. The recycling process

includes sorting, shredding, washing, dry-

ing and extruding. The resulting pellets are

usually sold to other plastic companies or

exported. Products manufactured from recy-

cled plastics are, for example, buckets or

chairs. On a more informal scale, there are

plastic recyclers who scavenge for plastic

materials at homes or in dumpsites. Some

of them melt the waste plastic to produce

beads, which are then sold on the local

LEFT Plastic waste sorting at dumpsite, SenegalSource: IAGU 2006

RIGHT Plastic waste sorting, GhanaSource: www.trashybags.org 2012


market. In Lagos, in addition to PE and PET,

also nylon and tyres are recycled. The recy-

cling technologies applied include sorting,

shredding, washing, drying and extruding in

order to produce pellets, flakes and nylon.

The final products/applications obtained

from recycled plastics are e.g. waste bags,

shoes, chopping boards and hair extensions.

Final disposal practices are the same as

for municipal solid waste. Plastic waste is

disposed of in authorised landfills or on

irregular and illegal dumpsites. It is also

quite common that plastic waste, especially

plastic bags or sheets, is openly burned in

backyards, markets, at stadiums, railway

stations, dumpsites etc. In Dakar, within

the next three years, three industrial meth-

anisation plants should be operational. This

implies previous separation of non-organic

waste. As there is no incineration plant pro-

jected, this is a future opportunity to organ-

ise separate plastic collection and recycling.

E-wasteIn general, there exists no formal separate

collection of e-waste. Collection is mostly in

the hand of informal collectors who pick up or

buy obsolete electrical and electronic equip-

ment (EEE) from door to door, and scavenge at

official or irregular dumpsites. In Ghana and

Nigeria, the informal collection is well organ-

ised due to the high amount of e-waste gen-

eration and the ability of the collectors to pay

for the consumer’s e-waste since they in turn

receive money from the informal recyclers for

every piece collected. These practices lead to

collection rates of up to 95% in urban regions

in Ghana and Nigeria. In Senegal and the Ivory

Coast, due to smaller amounts of e-waste

generated, the informal collection is not very

widespread and the collection rate is probably

lower that in Ghana and Nigeria. Informal col-

lection is usually done with handcarts, e.g.

made from boards and old car axles. Some

collectors also use trucks. There is no regular

collection period of the informal collection.

Formal collection of e-waste is done by for-

mal recycling companies. They have arrange-

ments with certain e-waste generators that

enable them to pick up their e-waste for free.

Refurbishment and repair of obsolete EEE

is very common. Nigeria features the largest

refurbishment and repair sector with exten-

sive markets where second-hand products

are repaired, refurbished and sold in the

same or close by locations. These markets

are informal but very well organised. In the

Ivory Coast, Ghana and Nigeria, there are

associations of repairers and technicians

of EEE. The approximate number of repairer

and refurbishers is summarised in Table 1.

In Ivory Coast, repairers are the largest pro-

vider of e-waste to scrap dealers. They usu-

ally have a close relationship and are some-

times located next to each other, exchanging

materials according to their needs. In all

target countries, the refurbishing and repair

sector is highly specialised and has high

repair success rates of up to 70%. It con-

tributes significantly to the extension of the

lifespan of EEE and thus to the reduction of

e-waste generation.

The e-waste recycling sector is mostly

informal. In Ghana, the hub of the recycling

operations is the Greater Accra Region at

the scrap yards of Agbogbloshie, Gallaway

and Ashiaman, although smaller scrapyards

where e-waste is also dismantled are spread

all over the country. In Senegal, informal

recyclers also do collection and repair, either

in informal warehouses disseminated all over

Dakar or on the dumping site of Mbeubeuss.

In Ivory Coast, the main scrapyards where

the dismantling of e-waste takes place are

located in the municipalities of Kumasi and

Marcory (Anoumabo). In Nigeria, in contrast

to the large and well-organised refurbishing

and repair sector, e-waste recycling activities

are at rather a small scale and spread over

the large cities. In all countries, the informal

recyclers work in numerous small workshops

within the scrapyards where a few recyclers

work together or one recycler employs sev-

eral workers. In few cases, recyclers deal

directly with end-processing partners, such

as refineries, by selling them the recovered

metals. In many cases, middlemen are

handling collection of recovered fractions

from the recyclers and bring them to end-

processing partners. In larger scrapyards,

the workers are often organised in associa-

tions or unions. The local recycling activities

are similar in all countries (see Table 2).

First, if possible, spare parts are sorted out

and sold to the repair or refurbishment sec-

tor. E-waste is manually dismantled, some-

times by crude methods such as smashing

or treating with a chisel, sometimes with

screwdrivers etc., and then sorted into met-

als and other fractions.

Copper cables are often burnt to remove

the plastic insulation. Insulating foam

from obsolete refrigerators, primarily

LEFT E-waste refurbishing, NigeriaSource: Empa 2009

RIGHT E-waste recycling, GhanaSource: Green Advocacy Ghana 2010

TABLE 1: Jobs in e-waste management repair, refurbishment, collection and recyclingGhana Ivory Coast Nigeria Senegal

Number of workers engaged in repair and refurbishment (formal and informal)

Accra: 10 000Ghana: 14 000

4 000 Lagos: 21 600

N/A

Number of informal workers engaged in collection and recycling

Accra: 4 500 to 6 000Ghana: 6 300 to 9 600

N/A N/A Mbeubeuss scrapyard: 800

Source: (SBC 2011; Prakash et al. 2010; Messou and Rochat 2011; Wone and Rochat 2008)

Solid waste

Mills & Otten ccEnvironmental Consultants

1998/46338/23 Johannesburg Cape TownTel: (011) 486 0062 Tel: (021) 671 7107 Fax: (086) 554 6573 Fax: (021) 671 7107 Contact: Charles Mills / Kirstin Otten Contact: Stephanie de Beer

Independent Environmental Consultants specialising in:

Environmental Impact Assessments Environmental Management Systems Environmental Audits

Contaminated Land Assessment Environmental Management Plans Waste License Applications

[email protected]

Solid waste


polyurethane, and/or old car tyres are the

main fuels used to sustain the fires. The

CRT monitor screens and other ‘non profit-

able’ fractions such as plastic casings, key-

boards, capacitors, dry batteries, etc., are

not recovered and usually dumped and even-

tually burnt in order to reduce the volumes

at the dumpsites. The uncontrolled dumping

and burning of hazardous fractions lead to

significant negative impacts on health and

environment. Table 2 summarises the local

and foreign recycling activities of various

e-waste components and fractions as well as

the resulting environmental impacts.

The amount of fractions produced is dif-

ficult to estimate. According to the general

composition of e-waste, it can be assumed

that about 40% of the weight can be recov-

ered and around 60% is dumped or burned.

In each country some formal recycling

activities exist. The formal recyclers usu-

ally get e-waste from corporate consumers.

Valuable fractions that cannot be further

processed in the country itself are exported

to Europe. However, only a very small share

of all e-waste is recycled formally (in Ghana,

it is estimated at a level below 1%).

E-waste can be found in disposed munici-

pal solid waste in all countries, but it

is normally sorted out at dumpsites and

brought to informal scrapyards for disman-

tling. Non-valuable or toxic fractions result-

ing from e-waste recycling, such as plastic

cases and leaded glass from CRT screens,

batteries, capacitors, etc., are disposed of

together with municipal waste on illegal or

official dumpsites, in garbage bins, on the

outskirt of municipalities or in reservoirs,

rivers, lagoons or lakes. Since there is no

controlled sanitary landfill for municipal solid

waste in any of the countries, there is no

TABLE 2: Pre-processing and end-processing of different e-waste fractionsLocal informal pre-processing

Resulting components and fractions

Local formal and informal end-processing

Foreign end-processing

Environmental impacts of informal practices

Burning of copper cables

Copper Formal smelters, informal smelters Formal smelters High dioxin emissions from cable burning

Manual dismantling and sorting

Copper

Ferrous metals Formal smelters Formal smelters

Aluminium Formal smelters, informal smelters (e.g. production of cooking items)

Toxic emissions during smelting processes

Lead Local informal smelters (e.g. production of sinkers for the fishing industry)

Formal smelters Toxic emissions during smelting processes

Printed wiring boards (PWB containing precious metals)

Disposal Hydrometallurgical treatment in Asia

Contamination of water and soil

Plastic Disposal and burning Plastic may contain brominated flame retardants. High dioxin emissions from burning

CRT tubes (containing lead, beryllium, phosphor, etc.)

Crushing and disposal During the crushing, the dust containing hazardous substances is set free

Hazardous fractions (PCB in capacitors, mercury in backlights, batteries)

Disposal and burning Contamination of air, water and soil

Source: (Amoyaw-Osei et al. 2011; Messou and Rochat 2011; Wone and Rochat 2008; SBC 2011)

infrastructure for the environmentally sound

final disposal of non-valuable or hazardous

fractions available.

This is an abridged version on the project of

Integrated Waste Management in Western Africa.

The duration of the project, funded by the EU

within the Seventh Framework Programme, was

two years and the results of the research were

submitted during May 2012. For a full version

including references, please contact Chantelle

Mattheus at [email protected]

LEFT Burning of copper cables, GhanaSource: Green Advocacy Ghana 2010

RIGHT Informal dumping of e-waste, GhanaSource: Green Advocacy Ghana 2010

octa

rine

3754

Engineering Growth through Infrastructure

Johannesburg 011 922 3300

East London 043 727 1057

Cape Town 021 531 8110

Durban 031 717 2300

www.kaytech.co.za

bidim R


Recycling


A round 270 Mℓ of lubricants are sold

annually in South Africa and, of this,

half is lost through use. That leaves

135 Mℓ of used oil, of which some 80 Mℓ is

accounted for through the tracking of hazard-

ous waste regulations. This implies that ap-

proximately 55 Mℓ is being disposed of irre-

sponsibly. In 2005, the Rose Foundation, in

collaboration with collectors including BME,

formed the National Oil Recycling Associa-

tion of South Africa (NORA-SA). The associa-

tion promotes the recovery and recycling of

used oil in the country with a strict code of

conduct, lobbying to enable legislation and

engagement with the industry. Used oil has a

powerful capacity for contamination and pollu-

tion. We all know the Rose Foundation adage

that one litre of used oil can contaminate a

million litres of water, but the high concentra-

tion of metal ions, lead, zinc, chromium and

copper persist in ecosystems and are also

emitted when used in furnaces and the like.

In the environment, it decomposes slowly. In

essence, oil, used or otherwise, should never

be disposed of unless collected by a NORA-SA

accredited member.

While the bulk of used oil is currently

reprocessed into industrial fuel oil and used

as a substitute for heavy fuel oil, there

are also companies such as PPC that buy

untreated used oil and fire up their lime kilns

as well as others that

produce an industrial-

grade furnace fuel

from used oil. But

there is another appli-

cation that BME calls

a cradle-to-cradle philosophy.

Since around 2007, BME has used recy-

cled oil in its explosives products, which

are used on mines across the African

continent. While this may not be a novel

Novel method of used oil recyclingWhile the use of used oil in industrial explosives accounts for up to 80% of all

explosives used in North America, its use is still growing in South Africa. Using oil

for ANFO (ammonium nitrate fuel oil) is an attractive alternative to disposing of this

hazardous waste and BME, a member of the Omnia Group, is getting it right, writes

Yanna Erasmus.

In essence, oil, used or otherwise, should never be disposed of unless collected by a NORA-SA accredited member

BME’s used oil team: L to R – Erika Haasbroek, Nicoleen Cilliers, Emelia Mascis and Martie Creamer

20720

Up to 15 years imprisonment.

Dispose of your used oil here...

...and you could end up here.

So for peace of mind, contact a NORA-SA approved collector or recycler to safely dispose of your used oil. Call 0860 NORA-SA (6672 72) for a collector in your area.


application, only BME thus far has man-

aged to produce stable explosives bulk

products through its emulsion technology.

According to Emilia Mascis of BME: “We

create a new product out of a waste prod-

uct. Instead of taking used oil and dispos-

ing of it responsibly, we are creating a new

usable product and returning it to the point

of generation. This type of management

ensures that once a product reaches the

end of its lifespan, its component parts are

recovered and reused, thereby becoming

inputs for new products and materials.”

The company has two plants, one in

Losberg near Fochville in the North West

and the Dryden packaging plant near

Delmas. According to Mascis, the recipe

of the company’s success is a system

of checks and balances that ensures the

‘purity’ of the used oil product.

“The system begins with an audit of the

mine, including the brand of oil that the

company uses. Full checks are performed

on the storage facilities of the used oil

on-site. For example, oil tanks should not

rust. The storage system must be closed.

In other words, it must be a sealed system

from pumping the used oil out and into

storage. We check for spillages and leaks,

safety around the site and the company

procedures. BME will then take a sample of

oil, which is sent to our Losberg plant for

testing. This is done prior to any collection

taking place. If the results comply with our

requirements and the used oil is ‘clean’, we

will collect. Prior to processing, however,

another sample is taken for testing. This

has been the reason for our success.”

Quarantine tanks are used at the com-

pany’s facilities at Losberg and Dryden to

allow for further screening of the collected

product prior to processing. In the com-

pany’s process, 90% of what is collected is

usable and the remainder is disposed of as

per NORA-SA requirements and regulations.

Water and volatiles are removed during the

processing and the final product is a black,

Vaseline-like high energy fuel. This is used

by the company’s mining clients where 6%

is added to 94% of oxidiser (ammonium

nitrate) to form the explosives – hence the

cradle-to-cradle philosophy. The benefits

are obvious and significant. Many of the

mines across the continent are in remote

sites and the removal of old engine oil and

the importation of diesel may not necessar-

ily be as available or cost-effective.

It certainly is pleasing that the technology

has been refined adequately in South Africa

that used oil can be reprocessed into a new

product and returned to the original point

of generation, used as energy in mining

operations. It is as Anton Hanekom from

Plastics|SA said: “Recycling is about creat-

ing a new product from what was originally

a waste product.”

Recycling

2. PC and tablets1. PRINT 3. Smartphones


OilKolLook out for the frog!

Sustainability megaforces

A complex, unpredictable system

Waste streams

Population increases and high waste costs

Shale gasEnvironmental and economic

risks

AsbestosAsbestiform

and the

“There is a major paradigm shift towards providing a sustainable one-stop solution for e-waste recycling.”

Malcolm Whitehouse, sales manager at Desco Electronic Recyclers

ThuM

“Thsu

M


PG 6PG 66PG 6GP

Email your details to [email protected] to recieve a copy of

RêSource every quarter.

To recieve your digital copy of RêSource every quarter go to

www.3smags.co.za

WAYS TO RECIEVE

To recieve your digital copy of RêSource every quarter go to

www.3smags.co.za

This type of management ensures that once a product reaches the end of its lifespan, its component parts are recovered and reused


Landfills

The new Vlakfontein waste treatment

site demonstrates the use of the latest

technology and is compliant with all the

relevant legislation. According to Stan Jewask-

iewitz of Envitech Solutions, the site design

consultants: “The entire facility has been de-

signed with the waste hierarchy in mind.”

Gauteng will now enjoy the benefits of a

truly world-class waste treatment facility

that will meet the needs of all stakehold-

ers. Customers and clients will receive good

service and have the comfort that their

waste streams are being handled appro-

priately, all regulatory requirements will be

met or exceeded, and the community will

be an active participant through a strong

ethos of conservation and environmental

best practice, job creation and partnership.

The site development plan at Vlakfontein

is extensive and the following facilities and

infrastructure will be included:

• The facility will have full access control

and up to four weighbridges to record not

only incoming but also outgoing vehicles

and their loads, including waste type and

volume by closed circuit television.

• Waste acceptance control will be of the

highest standard. These procedures are

critical to ensure that unac-

ceptable waste types do not

enter the site and that unex-

pected chemical reactions

are avoided. This is vital to

ensuring the safety and health

of not only the employees but also all

clients, other visitors, the community and

the environment.

• A fully compliant on-site laboratory will

be provided for the testing of hazardous

HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL

Vlakfontein: cutting-edge facilityThere are frequent reports of the illegal dumping of hazardous waste streams occurring

across South Africa. There is also a general shortage of disposal facilities for hazardous

waste and many existing facilities are not fully compliant. This status quo will now

change with a new hazardous treatment and disposal facility at Vlakfontein, Gauteng. By

Yanna Erasmus.

Gauteng will now enjoy the benefits of a truly world-class waste treatment facility that will meet the needs of all stakeholders

An aerial perspective of the site of the new cutting edge facility


Landfills

wastes to come into the site and well as

a quality management system.

• Secure parking, resting and ablution facili-

ties will be provided for the trucks and

their drivers delivering waste while testing

is undergone. Visiting truck drivers are

therefore also catered for.

• In line with government’s vision of reduc-

ing waste to landfill, the facility will have

a material recovery facility to ensure that

recyclables are removed through manual

and mechanical extraction methods.

• A treatment plant for liquid and other non-

standard waste streams will ensure that

classified waste is assessed and treated

accordingly to meet the new regulations

when they are promulgated. Further, it

is proposed to install a non-burn tech-

nology or hydroclave for the treatment

of approved healthcare risk wastes.

Jewaskiewitz states: “All processes will

be designed to the latest standards

and will meet all the latest air emission

requirements in terms of the National

Environmental Management: Air Quality

Act as well as the air quality standards as

published in Regulation 1210 of 2009.”

• The landfill facility will be operated

according to the legal requirement and

is lined according to a Class A contain-

ment barrier system – the new national

standard. This includes six liners along

with several compacted clay liners, a

leakage detection system and a leachate

collection system.

• A weather station will be installed to

monitor and record meteorological data,

which will determine operations as well

as potential emissions, and the site will

be fully fenced with guards and regular

patrols. Both ac0cess and on-site roads

will be designed to minimise the genera-

tion of dust and all gravel roads will be

wetted to ensure dust suppression.

ConservationThe site, around 200 ha in size, is situated

just north of Vereeniging. It is located on

the disused De Deur Brickworks premises

on the farm Vlakfontein. The site met the

relevant criteria as a brown field site due

to the substantial disturbance of the land

arising from deep excavations for clay mate-

rials, derelict brick kilns and the stockpiling

of brick wastes. Jewaskiewitz says: “The

development will enable the rehabilitation

of the existing site through properly engi-

neered landfill, closure and rehabilitation

procedures. Further to this there has been

a joint undertaking by Vlakfontein and the

community to develop the surrounding area

as a nature conservancy, which will now also

be fully fenced.”

As part of the greening of the site, unde-

veloped areas on the property will be plant-

ed with indigenous vegetation and stocked

with suitable game. The first phase will only

use 20 ha of the total area and the lifespan

of this phase is expected to be 20 years. It

will include the infrastructure and one cell

of the total seven cells that are planned.

Site preparation has already begun and it is

envisaged that construction will begin during

the first quarter of 2013 and be completed

towards the end of 2013.

Geology and hydrogeologyThe site can be broadly segmented into two

geological zones. The first is a dolerite geologi-

cal zone with portions where the dolerite intru-

sion has occurred and the second, a quartzite

zone where no intrusion of the dolerite has

occurred. The dolerite zone extends roughly

across the northern half of the site and, as

Jewaskiewitz says: “this comprises residual

and/or weathered Timeball Hill Formation

quartzite overlying residual dolerite clays with

weathered dolerite bedrock. This portion of

The landfill facility will be operated according to the legal requirement and is lined according to a Class A containment barrier system

LEFT The Vlakfontein site layout


Landfills

While ‘zero waste to landfill’ is an ultimate

goal for the country, facilities such as these

that accept hazardous and contaminated

waste are in short supply. The substantial

investment made by Vlakfontein will go a

long way in providing the country with a

world-class facility for the safe disposal of

this type of waste, whether by landfilling,

liquid treatment or hydroclave technologies.

This in turn, will assist in the reduction of

the illegal and dangerous dumping of toxic

waste products across our country and

improve the environment.

RéSource would like to thank Vlakfontein and

Envitech Solutions for making the research

and documentation into the development of

this world-class site available for print.

the site is technically ideal for the location of

this type of landfill.”

In terms of water specifications, the water

depths are between 10 and 30 m, the

groundwater flows in a north-westerly direc-

tion and the aquifer is classified as minor.

Regarding the potential for groundwater

contamination, the naturally occurring low-

permeability and residual clays at the site

will provide good attenuation and retardation

to any surface water infiltration.

In terms of leachate and stormwater man-

agement, a comprehensive plan was com-

piled with the site divided into sub-catchment

areas to delineate clean and dirty water sys-

tems. Leachate will be stored in a leachate

dam and pumped into a liquid waste treat-

ment plant. The final treated effluent will be

disposed of to a reed-bed system prior to

discharge to the environment, meeting the

highest effluent discharge standards.

MonitoringVlakfontein has a comprehensive monitoring

plan that will not only verify that the facility

conforms to the required standards and site

specific licence conditions, but will also use

the data that is collected to effectively man-

age the potential effects that the facility could

have on the environment. Monitoring will also

ensure that the site design, implementation

and operation controls are adequate and

provide information for future planning and

prioritisation. The comprehensive monitoring

plan will allow quality- and risk assessment

and the implementation of appropriate risk

management measures.

Vlakfontein has a comprehensive monitoring plan that will verify that the facility conforms to the required standards and site specific licence condition

RIGHT A class A barrier system


Landfills

The paper was presented by Burkard

Lenze of Naue in Germany, one of

the authors, and was co-authored by

K Werth from Bauberatung Geokunststoffe,

also in Germany. They say: “It is essential

that the long-term internal strength and fric-

tion to adjacent components are defined un-

der realistic stress conditions.”

Geosynthetic clay liners (GCL) are com-

posites of bentonite and geotextiles, and

are used as a hydraulic barrier in sealing

applications, most commonly as a bar-

rier element in landfill caps and covers.

Used either in combination with other

liners, they function to inhibit the flow of

precipitation into the landfill as well as pre-

venting the escape of gas into the environ-

ment. Needle-punched GCLs are reinforced

composites that combine two durable geo-

textile outer layers and a uniform core of

highly absorbent sodium bentonite clay

to form a hydraulic barrier. These are an

important trend toward the combined use

of geosynthetics and clay materials as the

low hydrated internal friction angle of the

bentonite alone is overcome by the needle

punching of all components creating a uni-

form shear stress transmitting GCL.

The authors state: “The long-term shear

behaviour of GCLs is important on slopes.

The cover soil over the GCL permanently

imposes a combined compression and

shear stress, and thus the stability of

the slope in the overall capping strong-

ly depends on the shear behaviour of

the different materials in such a system

– both internally and on the inter face.”

During the 1990s, the Federal Institute for

Materials Research and Testing, known as

BAM (Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung

und –prüfung), developed a methodolo-

gy to study the internal long-term shear

behaviour of geomembranes with friction

services. They succeeded to estimate the

long-term behaviour of these membranes

under typical landfill cap confining stresses

and slope inclinations. In 2000, Naue

Testing GCL shear strengthThe stability of landfi ll barrier systems is critical as there is no point in engineering a site

and spending millions on compliance when the integrity of the liners is not adequate. A

paper on developments of testing the long-term internal shear strength of geosynthetic

clay liners in Europe was presented at WasteCon 2012.

FIGURE 1 LEFT Installation of a GCL on a steep landfill slope (Pochsandhalde, Germany)RIGHT Idealised solid waste cap with various geosynthetic componentsFIGURE 2 LEFT Schematic view of a test equipment used to determine long-term shear strength RIGHT View of test device

FIGURE 1

FIGURE 2


joined BAM to develop the methodology

further for application on GCLs allowing

for the measurement of time to failure at

high temperature and in different liquids,

as well as creep performance. The results

of these tests allow for the estimation of

service lifetimes of these membranes.

The testing was also expanded to use of

long-term shear testing of geosynthetic

drainage mats.

TestingIn the long-term shear strength test, GCLs

were tested at a maximum temperature of

80˚C with standard tap water. For landfill

caps and covers, the standard tests ran

with a 21.8-degree slope and a maximum

load of 50 kPa, representing a cover soil

load of 2.5 m. The time of failure was

used to extrapolate the service life of the

selected conditions. During the procedure,

a GCL specimen (around 12 x 13 cm) was

sandwiched between two steel wedges. The

carrier and cover geotextile were bonded to

the respective wedge by hooking them to

friction partners that were fixed to the upper

and lower wedges. A textured geomembrane

or metal food grate was used as friction part-

ners. Using a lever mechanism, the upper

wedge was subjected to 50 kN per square

metres, comparable to the weight of 2.5 m

of soil, in a heated water bath. Displacement

sensors recorded vertical displacement over

a period of time. The use of tap water also

simulated realistic site conditions.

“Based on decades of experience in long-

term geomembrane testing, BAM deter-

mined that a GCL must pass a minimum

failure time of 365 days under a 50 kPa

load at a 21.8-degree(2.5:1) slope and in

80˚C water, to allow the conclusion that

the product has a long-term realistic shear

strength for 200 years for a landfill cap with

a metre of soil as the confining stress and

a maximum slope inclination of 3:1.”

BAM and Naue tested both standard and

specially produced GCLs of which the main

differences were in the anchoring length

and the strength of the needle-punched

fibres. In addition, five polypropylene types

and stabiliser packages were used. All

GCLs were needle-punched and some had

the patented Thermal Lock treatment.

Woven and non-woven carrier layers were

also included in the tests.

ResultsAll the products were tested under tem-

peratures of 40˚C, 60˚C and 80˚C. According

to the authors: “A shear failure was not

observed in any of the cases even after

a test duration of up to 1 350 days, tak-

ing a permanent normal load of 50 kPa

and permanent shear stress of 20 kPa

(due to the slope angle of 21.8 degrees)

into account. GCLs manufactured with high-

density polyethylene achieved slope failure

in a shorter time frame in some cases, but

this was not investigated further because

nearly all standard GCLs are manufactured

from polypropylene.

In summary: “Long-term shear strength of

GCLs was tested in tap water and simulat-

ed field conditions. After a three-year test

duration, the dismantled specimens were

completely intact by appearance and long-

term shear strength tests were used to

demonstrate the excellent long-term shear

per formance of the Thermal Lock treated

GCLs and GCLs with non-woven/woven

composite barrier layers. Additionally,

FIGURE 3 Design basis on interface for cap lining systems against sliding on slopes

It is essential that the long-term internal strength and friction to adjacent components are defined under realistic stress conditions


Responsible CareAn initiative of the Chemical Industry

Landfills

testing on the geosynthetic components

alone showed how important stabilisation

packages are. However, in general the com-

ponents of the GCL did not meet the GRI-

GCL-s specifications, which are considered

to be minimum specification values.

The authors concluded that for landfill cap

stability, calculations against sliding inter-

face friction between geosynthetic compo-

nents as well as between geosynthetics

and soils need to be verified in shear box

tests. Based on comprehensive experi-

ence gained from more than 800 shear

box tests, the authors concluded that in

inter face investigations, results will vary

between laboratories; that difference sam-

ple sizes and operations will cause differ-

ing results; that bottom and top sides need

to be considered; using results for stability

calculations must be done with caution and

in most cases, inter face friction against

top or cover soils may be decisive.

This is an abridged version of ‘Landfill Covers

with Steep Slopes: Requirements of long-

term internal shear strength of Geosynthetic

Clay Liners’ as presented at WasteCon

2012 in East London. For a copy of the full

paper as well as references, please contact

Burkard Lenze at [email protected].

FIGURE 4 Interface friction between geosynthetics and between geosynthetics and soils for cap lining systems


Air pollution

Environmental taxes are viewed as a

mechanism to encourage responsible envi-

ronmental practice and to mitigate the nega-

tive impacts economic activity has on the

environment. To achieve this within an eco-

nomic or business environment, Mandy said

that market-based instruments are gener-

ally viewed as the most efficient and likely

to result in least-cost abatement. However,

this must be combined with complemen-

tary regulatory measures. Market-based

instruments comply with the polluter-pays

principle by imposing the cost of pollution

on the polluter, whereas subsidies result

in paying a polluter not to pollute and are

only appropriate in conjunction with other

instruments. Mandy explained that carbon

tax and tradable permits are both market-

based instruments; however, the latter is

not generally viewed as “appropriate for

South Africa”.

Guiding principlesHow would such a tax be structured? Mandy

highlighted that there are issues of horizontal

or vertical equity, whereby those who can

most afford to pay, pay more than those who

can least afford to pay and those in an equal

position pay the same amount. The matters

of certainty in being able to determine the

tax liability and of course simplicity are vital

considerations, along with administration and

compliance costs. The environmental effec-

tiveness of these types of taxes is probably

the most important tenet. The use of the

actual revenue is also a matter that must be

resolved. Complementary measures and the

impacts of the competitiveness of companies

must also be considered. Thus, commented

Mandy: “We are nowhere near yet and carbon

tax is likely to be implemented only in the

next three years.”

Current environmental taxesMandy summarised the current environmen-

tal taxes in place in South Africa and how

effective they have been. The plastic bag

levy – introduced in June 2004 at three

cents a bag and since July 2009 at four

cents a bag – brings in around R150 million

in revenue, but the recycling initiatives that

were introduced were a failure. had it not

EMISSIONS MANAGEMENT

Unpacking carbon tax in SAExperts in the fi eld agree: carbon tax is coming, possibly

this fi nancial year or the next, and companies must

ready themselves for this extra burden. But what will it

entail and how ready is Treasury for implementation?

Kyle Mandy, partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers,

examined these issues at a recent RéSource seminar.


National Treasury has stated its inten-

tion to increase the contribution of

environmental taxes and levies to

total tax revenues. Mandy said: “The imple-

mentation of this policy commenced with the

introduction of the electricity levy in 2009 and

continues with numerous environmental taxes

at a national level having been introduced

since then. In 2009, environmental taxes con-

tributed R26.4 billion, around 4.2%, to total

tax revenues and in 2013 it is expected to

contribute R61.6 billion, some 7.4%.”

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been for the accompanying regulations on

minimum thickness of plastic bags and the

agreement with large retailers to charge for

these, the environmental effect would likely

have been nil. The electricity levy now stands

at 3.5 cents per kWh and will contribute

some R8.6 billion to tax revenues by the

end of the 2012/13 financial year. However,

none of this money has been applied to envi-

ronmental objectives. Filament lamp levies

are currently at R3 a lamp and contribute

R105 million, also with no environmental

application. Finally, there is the environ-

mental levy on carbon dioxide emissions of

motor vehicles. Introduced on 1 September

2010 to passenger vehicles and extended to

double cab pick-ups on 1 March 2011, the

tax is calculated on emissions as per test

report or proxy based on engine capacity.

The revenue stands at R1.6 billion. This is,

in essence, a carbon tax on potential emis-

sions. The implementation of carbon tax,

however, can potentially have a duplicating

effect on this tax.

The carbon tax proposalAnnounced in the 2012 budget by finance

minister Pravin Gordhan, a phased approach

has been suggested. The first phase, from

2013/14 to 2019/20, suggests taxes to

be levied on actual emissions. The design

features of this phase include a percentage-

based exemption threshold at 60%, set

higher for certain process emissions and

trade exposed sectors. The rate has been

suggested at R120 per tonne of carbon

dioxide emissions above the said thresh-

olds. Offsets are allowed up to a maximum

of 10% and there is also the possibility of

additional relief for reduced carbon intensity.

Revenues currently have not

been earmarked, but there is

the possibility of some of this

being directed to environmental

spend. Thresholds are to be

reduced in Phase 2 (from 2020

to 2025) and following this, absolute emis-

sions thresholds may be possible.

As mentioned, a 60% threshold has been

set for the country’s sectors in the first

phase. However, this threshold can be

increased or decreased for relative carbon

intensity and will be measured at the end

of the year. This removes the element of

certainty and knowing your liability, which

is so essential in taxation. The overall

tax-free threshold is to be capped at 90%

of emissions.

Trade exposure relief currently stands at

10%, but it is not certain whether this is

enough. There are difficulties in classifica-

tion of firms into sectors as well as the

distinction within the given sectors. In addi-

tion – and this may be the most difficult

challenge of them all – there are complex

interactions between electricity and the

other sectors.

According to Mandy, the core concerns on

the latest tax proposal include “whether the

tax is to be levied on all emitters or only the

large emitters, the possible lack of relief for

consumers from tax on scope two or indi-

rect emissions, the lack of border adjust-

ments on imports and tax neutrality, the

absence of mitigation agreement provisions

and the lack of consideration of structural

issues in the energy sector, particularly

with regards to electricity”.

In his conclusion, Mandy listed possi-

ble future environmental taxes that may

become a reality in South Africa. These

include wastewater discharge levies, air

pollution charges, levies on waste products,

landfill taxes, traffic congestion charges,

motor vehicle licence fees and a review of

taxation of transport fuels based on environ-

mental impact and energy content.

As can be seen, it is clear that a lot of work

must still be done before carbon tax can

efficiently be introduced into South Africa.

While the red tape and structure thereof

must still be hashed out, so to speak, this

is not a measure to be ignored. Unless tan-

gible long-term plans to reduce greenhouse

gas emissions become part and parcel of

industry across the world, the effects will

prove to be disastrous on the climate and,

consequently, economics. The global carbon

market is central towards this shift because

money talks and drives change.

Readers interested in more informa-

tion can contact Kyle Mandy and

PricewaterhouseCoopers at +27 (0)11 797

4977 or e-mail [email protected].

The implementation of carbon tax, however, can potentially have a duplicating effect...

Air pollution

The Health Care Waste Summit & Expo 2013: 15,16 & 17 May 2013

Emperor’s Palace Johannesburg

Contact us for more informationFor more information or to enquire about participation and partnership opportunities, please

email André Snyman at [email protected] or call +27(0) 83 44 88 233We look forward to seeing you there!

Greetings, The Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa

The Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA) is proud to announce that we will be hosting the 3rd Biennial Health Care Waste Summit & Expo from 15 to 17 May 2013 at Emperor’s Palace, Johannesburg South Africa.

This interactive summit and Expo will be the 3rd in a series of successful events as hosted by the Health Care Waste Forum (HCWF) of the IWMSA. With the Southern African HCW industry still experiencing disorder after a number of dramatic news reports of unlawful disposal and dumping, the time has come

once again to pull together all industry stakeholders and participants to address to most crucial issues that affect the professional delivery of services within this

sector of waste management in Southern Africa.

With government and the private sector actively participating in the event over the past years, the event series surely provides the potential to create the best networking and benchmarking opportunity for this industry sector on the African continent. In addition, the event is also perfectly timed based on the industry’s

event calendar.

The Health Care Waste Summit & Expo 2013 is more than just a conference; it is a high-level meeting place of the largest leaders, experts and decision-makers in the industry to design business models and to ensure pro table implementation and adherence to regulation over a short span of time. It is

a stimulating conference experience with interactive panel discussions, case studies of successful medical waste solutions and facilitated open panel

sessions for you to debate and deliberate the issues you are facing.

Theme and Call for Papers for 2013

In respect to the growing demand for information in both strategic

and practical spheres of the health care waste management industry,

the conference for 2013 will spread some light on the adherence and

compliance to regulation and legislation as well as focusing on best practice strategies for

implementation in the treatment and disposal of medical waste.

The theme for this far-reaching forum is: “Uniting Through a

Shared Medical and Environmental Responsibility”. Transportation,

technologies for incineration, The Waste Act, disposal, awareness

creation and best practice service delivery will be amongst the variety of the attention-grabbing topics that

delegates can look forward to.

Even more!The Health Care Waste Summit & Expo 2013 provides an industry wide platform for service providers and health are waste generators to meet and develop new markets. Medical waste generators, service providers, transporters, manufacturers, distributors, users of treatment technologies, equipment providers, legislators, enforcement representatives, consultants, and advisors are but to name a few of the delegate composition within this successful event series.

The Health Care Waste Summit & Expo 2013 will host a limited exhibition area details of which will be distributed later.

In respect to dates and further communication based on the call for papers, conference program and exhibition layout, please look out for us online as we will be communicating all these in due time.


Air pollution

What do you view as the current aim of carbon tax?Undoubtedly, carbon has become the catch-

word for all greenhouse gases. The underlying

aim of a carbon tax is the development and

creation of cleaner (i.e. carbon-clean) energy

that supports sustained economic demands

and growth.

While there are the ‘doom-mongers’ who

are opposed to the carbon tax, anyone

who has been involved in an ‘every kilowatt

saving counts’ mindset of energy-efficiency

projects and carbon projects – specifically

carbon-energy projects that have gone the

extra distance to produce energy, for exam-

ple landfill gas-to-electricity, cogeneration

projects, etc. – over the past decade are

prepared for the new business climate

under carbon tax.

Over the past decade, SLR Consulting

has been involved with the real-dealers of

the lower carbon energy economy with the

development of projects such as landfill gas

to electricity, furnace waste gas-to-electricity

with cogeneration, and biomass anaerobic

digestion biogas to energy.

Why should the focus of carbon tax shift?It is not taking into account two crucial aspects:

first, certain intensive energy users are not

being held accountable; and second, benefits

for voluntary actions – both past and going

forward. It is the latter that has stimulated

the carbon-energy market internationally and

is set to dra matically expand from its current

lowly 2% of international participation showing.

Why is there a focus on a lower carbon energy and economy?How real is the

combatting of

climate change by reducing greenhouse gas

emissions? How real is the contribution of

South Africans going to be? The answers

to these tough questions give us the key

reasons to embrace lower carbon energy and

economy. With good focus, we can achieve

a lower carbon energy provision to South

African energy users and, crucially for a coun-

try that is indeed still developing sustainably,

achieve a profitable economy around the task

of achieving this goal.

How realistic is this goal?We are unfortunately quite far away. One

has only to notice the drop-off in interest of

carbon energy and/or Clean Development

Mechanism (CDM) projects when the car-

bon price drops, the process appears too

difficult or a market (i.e. the European

Union Emissions Trading System) falls away.

The carbon tax is a useful mechanism to

get all South Africans involved around a

common cause: highlighting the demand for

low carbon energy.

Why should carbon tax not be a source of funding?The action should inherently be voluntary. This

must be clearly understood and is the founda-

tion of the carbon economy internationally. In

this way, the doers will gain and the talkers

won’t, although there should be financial

gains made by those who contribute success-

fully to the provision of a low carbon energy.

Globally, how are governments reacting?The reaction is slow, with uncertainty, arro-

gance, and ignorance too – specifically on

contributions towards developing low-carbon-

energy projects and economy. South Africa

and Africa have a significant part to play in the

carbon economy by ensuring that future devel-

opment is low-carbon development. While

slow to come on board, South Africa and

Africa as a whole can still take a bold step

into the carbon economy.

Carbon tax complexitiesLindsay Strachan of SLR Consulting is a strong believer that the underlying aim of a

carbon tax is the development and creation of cleaner energy that supports sustained

economic demands and growth. RéSource recently interviewed Strachan on the

complexities of carbon tax in the South African context.

Tony Stalberg, project technical manager/designer at SA Calcium Carbide, and Lindsay Strachan, project manager at SLR Consulting, at the start-up of the gas engines that are fed from furnace waste gas that was previously unused and flared

A FIRST LOW-CARBON ENERGY – COGENERATION PROJECT GETS UNDER WAYThe SA Calcium Carbide furnace waste gas to electricity cogeneration project was constructed and commissioned by December 2012. This project is an example of a low-carbon-energy project stimulated by a low-carbon economy and South Africa’s goals for sustainable development needs. The 8 MW project’s key objectives are:• energy security to support industrial

growth requirements – reduced by the current energy availability and overall cost of supply

• use of waste fuel-gas and cogeneration – using exhaust heat

• realisation of carbon emission/greenhouse gas emission reductions by developing a CDM project.

SA Calcium Carbide is located in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, and has, with SLR (originally

GreenEng) as their appointed project manager, developed an 8 MW capacity electricity generation capacity cogeneration project utilising their furnace waste off-gas. The power produced displaces existing Eskom fossil-fuel-derived electricity and exhaust heat is used in the aggregates drying kiln replacing LPG gas. SLR also project managed the successful registration of the project as a Clean Development Mechanism initiative – registered by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The project is termed as a ‘green energy’ project owed to the realisation of significant reductions in harmful greenhouse gas emissions; registered with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change; reducing the use of fossil-fuel fired electricity; using previous waste gas as a fuel source; and providing cogeneration with the use of exhaust heat for SA Calcium Carbide’s processes.

A view of the GE-Jenbacher 620 gas engine gen-set. The bank of 10 cylinder heads on the one side is clearly shown


Advertorial

This significant feat is in recognition of

the innovative practices undertaken by

this Jeffreys Bay clay brick manufactur-

er to minimise its impact on the environment,

by means of transforming waste tyres into a

fuel resource for drying, in addition to contrib-

uting toward energy efficiency, air quality and

climate change through the successful instal-

lation of the SA-VSBK brick-firing technology,

almost a year ago.

The awards were issued by the head of the

Department of Economic Development and

Environmental Affairs, Bulumko Nelana,

and the president of the IWMSA, Deidré

Nxumalo-Freeman. First Place in the Bronze

Award Category, ‘Small Organisation with

High Environmental Impact’, went to fam-

ily-owned Langkloof Bricks, which also

scooped the overall Innovation Award for

its technical input in this sphere. The

awards were issued at a glittering gala din-

ner, held at the East London International

Convention Centre as part of the IWMSA’s

biennial conference, WasteCon 2012.

Commenting on behalf of the Blake family,

executive director of Langkloof Bricks, Nico

Blake said: “We were not expecting any

form of recognition. However, these acco-

lades prove that we are on track with our

waste management systems, in addition to

using energy-efficient manufacturing meth-

odologies, like the SA-VSBK as an integral

part of our production processes.”

The SA-VSBK is a continuous updraught

kiln that reduces energy consumption dur-

ing the brick-firing process by as much as

Langkloof Bricks wins two Top Green AwardsLangkloof Bricks, pioneers of the energy-effi cient Vertical Shaft Brick Kiln technology

in South Africa (SA-VSBK), has garnered two coveted Eastern Cape Top Green Awards

from the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA), in association with

the provincial Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs.


Advertorial

50%, resulting in dramatically reduced car-

bon emissions, fuel consumption, manufac-

turing costs and exceptionally low breakage

percentages. The technology was brought

into South Africa under the auspices of the

SA-VSBK Project over a year ago, as part

of the Swiss government’s Climate Change

Mitigation Programme to reduce carbon

emissions globally.

Langkloof Bricks is the first clay brick

manufacturer in this country to participate

in this open source technology initiative,

which has been made available through

the Swiss Agency for Development and

Cooperation (SDC), with the implementa-

tion undertaken by Swisscontact (Swiss

Foundation for Technical Cooperation)

and Skat (Swiss Resource Centre and

Consultancies for Development), which in

turn consulted with a team of local experts

in the field of clay brick manufacturing.

The aim of the Top Green Organisation

Awards programme is to promote and

recognise responsible environmental man-

agement practices of organisations in the

Eastern Cape while also fostering better

relationships between government, indus-

try, business and other organisations.

The judging process entailed stringent

site audits by a team of waste, air quality,

climate change, environmental and safety

specialists. While each company was meas-

ured against the same criteria, points were

issued according to the size of the organi-

sation and its commitment to minimising its

environmental impact. “Jez Rowe of Rowe

Construction must also be acknowledged

as he was instrumental in the redesign and

construction of these shafts, so much that

we can now proudly proclaim the SA-VSBK’s

to be a fully fledged South African design,”

said Blake.

ABOVE Peter (left) and Nico Blake with their award. Jez Rowe is seen behind

These accolades prove that we are on track with our waste management systems.” Nico Blake, executive director of Langkloof Bricks


Hazardous waste

W hile there are no official figures

available, it is not rocket science

to figure out that there are thou-

sands of companion animal carcasses that

are not incinerated by owners that must be

disposed of in South Africa every year. A con-

tractor that landfills animals in Cape Town

estimates that around 2 000 carcasses are

landfilled monthly in that city. This excludes

those animals that die or are euthanised at

veterinarians in the city. These animals, in-

cluding those from veterinarians, which are

not incinerated, are placed in special dispos-

al bags and are taken to landfill. According to

Jones: “The sizes of animals also vary greatly

from 60 kg Rottweilers to 200 g puppies or

kittens. The City of Cape Town is also landfill-

ing whales and seals that are washed up on

the beaches.”

This may still be a novel concept in

South Africa, but in both Canada and the

US, road-killed wild animals have been

composted for some time. According to an

article published in BioCycle in November

2006, over 25 000 deer are

killed on New

York State

highways every year, in addition to like

raccoons, coyotes and foxes. Pioneered

by Cornell University’s Waste Management

Institute in the early 2000s, these animals

have been composted in various ways

including static pile composting with wood

chips. This has been rather successful as

the temperatures achieved in the piles is

sustained long enough and is high enough

to generally kill the pathogens present.

More research is being done into this

issue by the university. Pennsylvania State

University has also per formed its own

research and both institutions have worked

out a basic and relatively simple procedure.

They advise that a well-drained site at

least 200 feet from a water source is ideal.

Woodchips and sawdust is then spread out

in a windrow format, around five to seven

feet wide. The animal is then placed on

the sawdust in the centre of the row. One

foot of sawdust is then placed

between each

animal and the next is then layered until

the pile is around six feet high. A two-foot

cover of sawdust or compost is then placed

on top. After three to five months the pile

can be turned. A 25:1 ratio of sawdust to

animal (carbon to nitrogen) is ideal. If the

pile becomes too wet, more sawdust and

woodchips must be added.

This sounds rather sim-

ple, but the quest to

divert companion

animal car-

casses

Dr Melanie Jones, a veterinarian based in Cape Town and founder of Zero to Landfi ll

Organics, is running a trial on the composting of companion animal carcasses that are

currently being taken to landfi ll. These carcasses become hazardous waste, particularly

when infectious, which in turn is also the challenge to the possibility of composting.

Yanna Erasmus investigates.

DIVERSION OF WASTE TO LANDFILL

Novel approach to carcass disposal

ABOVE A single heapBELOW Mortality composting in bins


Hazardous waste

from landfill is far more complicated, par-

ticularly in South Africa. By far, the bulk

of companion animals that are landfilled

are unwanted and uncared for. Hence, the

presence of parvo and distemper viruses

is commonplace and bacteria such as

Salmonella and E. coli must also be elimi-

nated. Jones adds helminth eggs and the

breakdown of pentobarbitone, the drug

used to euthanise the animal, to this list.

Jones has been running a small-scale trial

in Cape Town. “Regarding our trial, the first

animals that were composted have been

reduced to bones and hair. There is very lit-

tle flesh left and odour is minimal when the

heap is opened. We are still experimenting

with different carbon sources – wood chips,

garden refuse and sawdust, for example.

In light of this,

RéSource spoke with

Kobus Otto of Kobus

Otto & Associates, an

expert in healthcare

waste, based in

Kempton Park.

How do these remains affect water courses/resources?There is a risk of surface- and

groundwater pollution in the

event of the mortal remains

being infectious. A risk assess-

ment is therefore required in all

instances where such remains

are not incinerated or disposed

of on legally compliant landfills.

Persistent viruses such as distemper and parvo virus are prevalent in South Africa with unwanted pets. In your opinion, are these very dangerous for our environment and how?Persistent viruses can result

in animal anatomical waste

being infectious. Animals from

road-kill incidents are in most

instances not well-maintained

and inoculated pets, but are

stray animals that are not

looked after by their owners.

Well-cared for pets also get

killed on roads, but most pets

killed on roads are in the vicin-

ity of low-income residential

areas. It is not viable to test

any remains from animals

killed on roads to determine

whether the remains are infect-

ed with any diseases or not.

As an expert, are you concerned about the high number of euthanised pets that are wrapped in black bags and being disposed of in landfills? No. I see safe disposal of

euthanised pets on legally com-

pliant landfills as an environ-

mentally sound way of reducing

the spread of infections from

such animals. With the upcom-

ing standards for emissions

from incinerators being very

high, the costs associated

with incineration of unwanted

pet carcasses is very high and

not affordable to the major-

ity of people in South Africa.

This is recognised by the Draft

Standards for Disposal of

Waste to Landfill that specifi-

cally provide for the disposal

of non-infectious animal car-

casses to Class B landfills.

There are, however, certain

procedures to be followed

for disposal of non-infectious

animal carcasses to ensure

that they are not exposed on

the surface where they can

spread diseases (that may not

have been detected) or create

nuisances like odours, vectors

or rodents. Animal carcasses

arriving on-site should either be

disposed of in trenches exca-

vated into the waste before

being covered with waste, or

alternatively be disposed of at

the toe of the waste disposal

working face, with the very next

waste load being disposed

of on top of the carcasses

before the waste is compacted

and covered with soil as

part of the standard landfill

operations procedures.

Any personal thoughts you would like to share?My personal view is that there

is vast amounts of organic

waste currently still disposed

of on landfills that can be

recovered for composting

before we need to go the

route of composting animal

remains. If it is a matter of

finding a means of disposing

of animal remains, the draft

HCRW Regulations makes

provision for the incineration of

infectious animal carcasses,

while the draft Standards for

Disposal of Waste to Landfill

provides for the disposal of

uninfected carcasses. Should

infected carcases accidentally

arrive on a landfill, the proce-

dure for proper disposal of the

carcasses together with the

comprehensive landfill lining

system will limit the potential

risk to the environment.

Some experts in the waste

industry agree. Most spoken

to are of the opinion that

there would be resistance

from animal rights groups

to mortality composting with


and that the market for the

compost would have to be

industrial as opposed to

the private consumer. In the

absence of mass incineration,

which is becoming more and

more expensive, responsi-

ble landfilling remains the

best option. In the absence

of subsidised incineration

options and with a focus of

the diversion of waste from

landfill, composting of animal

remains can be viable, if

good management practices

are applied.

We have divided the animals into differ-

ent heaps to see what the best method of

composting is. Due to the large amount of

leachate the second heap has been built on

plastic sheeting with sawdust around the

edges to soak up the leachate.

“I have been talking to UCT and the toxi-

cology department at Onderstepoort about

the testing of both the soil under the com-

post heap and the compost heap itself for

drug residues. The trial is very small at the

moment and ideally we would like to change

RIGHT The start of a compost heap; this one in California


to in-vessel composting once we can prove

that the drug residue and pathogens will

not be a problem and we can scale up the

volumes. Unfortunately, all the studies I

have found from overseas are based on

livestock or animals killed on roads as

they don’t have South Africa’s problem of

thousands of unwanted or diseased dogs

and cats that are euthanised every year, so

this study seems to be unique in the fact

that companion animals are being com-

posted. I am busy preparing a paper on our

processes to document our findings and

results; I’m not sure how long it will take

to get the process right and determine the

optimal composting conditions.”

In a study performed by Cornell on the

decay rate of drugs including pentobarbital,

a comparison was made between burial and

composting. In both cases, the drug had

fully decayed by three months, although

with the composting site it was picked up in

the leachate. The conclusion, however, is:

“When done properly, mortality composting

protects ground- and surface water and

composting of euthanised livestock appears

to break down pentobarbital and phenylbuta-

zone, thus rendering the finished product

safe for wildlife and domestic use.”

Best practice, as listed by Cornell, include

that carcasses must be added in a timely

fashion with lumens lanced; the piles must

be well shaped, neat and not too big; and

that ground- and surface water protection

are paramount. The latter can be achieved

by using compost berms, filter strips, diver-

sion berms, collection lagoons and tanks,

and keeping the site mowed and clean.

Expert opinionThe National Draft Healthcare Risk Waste

(HCRW) Management Regulations state

that no person may treat anatomical and

isolation waste in a technology other

than incineration.

Anatomical waste also includes

“deceased animals or animal parts infected

with zoonotic diseases and includes an ani-

mal kept at a laboratory for the purposes of

biological or scientific research and testing,

but excludes human teeth, hair and nails,

and animal carcasses regulated by the

Animal Health Act (Act No 7 of 2002)”.

RIGHT Private mortality composting in the US

Hazardous waste

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Plastics conference

Aptly entitled ‘Plastics: The Future

for Growth’, this one-day confer-

ence will take place on Wednesday,

13 March 2013 and promises to be one of

the highlights of this year’s Pro-Plas Confer-

ence at the Nasrec Exhibition Centre, south

of Johannesburg.

“We are very excited about hosting a

conference that will create a platform for

open dialogue, the sharing of ideas and

soliciting of various opinions on issues that

affect our industry,” says Anton Hanekom,

Plastics|SA’s executive director.

“We have deliberately tried to move away

from the traditional approach to confer-

ences. Instead of the regular speakers

addressing audiences on old topics, we

will be having three lively debates, during

Plastics conference to address industry issuesThe South African plastics industry will be debating

various issues that impact on its growth and future

prospects with the fi rst ever industry-specifi c conference,

hosted by Plastics|SA.

which well known, investigative journalists

will lead a panel of experts in discussions.

Thanks to the use of technology, delegates

will be able to influence the discussions

taking place on the stage by electronically

sending their questions and comments to

the moderator, or by voting on issues being

discussed in real-time,” Hanekom explains.

The conference will consist of the follow-

ing exciting line-up:

• Opening keynote address by Dr

Wilfried Haensel, executive direc-

tor of PlasticsEurope, sponsored by

Engen Petroleum.

• Debate 1: “Growing the South African

Plastics Industr y”, sponsored by

Sasol Polymers and moderated by

Freek Robinson.

‘PLASTICS: THE FUTURE FOR GROWTH’

• Lunch, sponsored by Safripol.

• Debate 2: “What impacts on plastics pack-

aging?”, sponsored by Polyoak Packaging

and moderated by Jeremy Maggs.

• Debate 3: “Are plastics sustainable?”,

sponsored by PETCO and moderated by

Ruda Landman.

• Cocktail function and awards ceremony,

sponsored by ColorMatrix, a subsidiary of

PolyOne Corporation.

According to Hanekom, industry experts rep-

resenting diverse points of view have been

invited to be part of the panel of four and

will lead each discussion. “It is important

that everyone has the opportunity to share

their point of view and discuss pertinent

issues and this innovative way of interact-

ing will certainly facilitate that. Part of the

excitement is that we have no idea where

the discussions may lead. While we may not

necessarily resolve all the issues at hand,

we will be talking about it and encouraging

open dialogue with a mutual respect and

passion for issues that form the heartbeat

of our industry,” he says.

Entrance to the conference will cost

R650.00 per person for members of

Plastics|SA and R800.00 for non-members.

This price includes VAT, two tea and cof-

fee breaks, lunch and attendance to the

cocktail function and awards ceremony

that evening.

Hanekom says that registrations are

already under way and can be done online

at www.plasticsinfo.co.za. “We are expect-

ing close to 300 people and would encour-

age people to book and pay in advance in

order to avoid disappointment.”

For more information, contact:

Monya Vermaak

Marketing & communications executive:

Plastics|SA

Tel: +27 (0)11 653 4787 or

Monique Holtzhausen

AiM Marketing & Communications

Consultants

Tel: +27 (0)21 531 0313


Health care waste

The World Health Organisation (WHO)

says that about 80% of the total amount

of waste generated by health care ac-

tivities across the world is general waste, with

the remainder being classified as hazardous.

Of this 20%, some 15% can be considered

infectious and anatomical in nature. Sharps

represent some 1%, but are the world’s major

source of disease transmission. Chemicals

and pharmaceuticals account for about 3% of

waste from health- activities while genotoxic

waste, radioactive matter and heavy metal

content account for around 1% of the total

health care waste.

The amount of waste generated per hos-

pital bed varies greatly across the world.

According to the WHO, high-income coun-

tries generate on average up to 0.5 kg of

hazardous waste per bed per day, while

low-income countries generate on aver-

age 0.2 kg of hazardous waste per hos-

pital bed per day. Research performed by

Ghassan Obid, a senior waste manage-

ment expert in Germany, and published on

Waste Management World, provides a little

more detail.

In Beijing, the average is 0.15 kg while

in Germany it stands around 0.05 kg for

a municipal hospital. Thailand produces

around 0.23 kg and hospitals in Bogotá,

Colombia, produce 1.2 kg daily. The primary

challenge, however, comes in when health

care waste is not sorted as it should be and

hazardous waste is disposed of along with

general waste. This, says the WHO, is often-

times the reality in low-income countries.

According to the organisation, around

16 billion injections are administered every

year. It estimates that in 2000, injections

with contaminated syringes caused 21 mil-

lion hepatitis B virus infections, two million

hepatitis C virus infections and 260 000 HIiv

infections worldwide. Many of these infec-

tions were avoidable if the syringes had been

disposed of safely. The reuse of disposable

syringes and needles for injections is par-

ticularly common in some African, Asian,

and central and eastern European countries.

During June 2000,

six children were

diagnosed with a

mild form of small-

pox after having

played with glass

ampoules contain-

ing expired smallpox vaccine at a dump in

Vladivostok, Russia.

More recently, The New Vision newspaper

in Uganda reported that dangerous and haz-

ardous waste is being dumped near Jinja,

at an informal settlement of around 10 000

people, known as Masese 3. Residents

report that raw, rotten chicken, chemicals,

antibiotics and antifungal drugs are being

disposed of on their doorstep.

Near Lake Victoria, concerns have arisen

about leachate. The newspaper reported

that the Jinja municipal council’s environ-

ment officer, Ernest Nabihamba, down-

played the likely environment and health

effects of leachate to the community.

“Leachate secreted at the waste manage-

ment plant is controlled and collected. We

have ensured that the one generated from

the landfill does not flow into the commu-

nity,” he says. He added: “Soil is a filter,

so leachate is filtered down and there is no

threat to the underground water because the

water table in the area is

about 20 m down.” He

also said that leachate

produced at the garbage

site does not have the

potential to pollute Lake

Victoria. “Lake Victoria is

4 km away. So by the time rain water reach-

es the lake, it has been filtered through the

wetlands. So nothing dangerous goes into

the lake.”

With uncontrolled disposal such as report-

ed on in Masese 3, the risk is not only to

communities close to disposal sites, but

also to the informal reclaimers so common

in developing countries. The WHO says:

“In developing countries, additional hazards

occur from scavenging at waste disposal

sites and the manual sorting of hazardous

waste from health care establishments.

These practices are common in many

regions of the world. The waste handlers are

at immediate risk of needle-stick injuries and

exposure to toxic or infectious materials.”

WHO says radioactive often does not

receive the attention that it deserves. “The

use of radiation sources in medical and other

applications is widespread throughout the

world. Occasionally, the public is exposed

to radioactive waste, which originates from

HEALTH CARE WASTE MANAGEMENT

Responsible disposal a global challengeThe global community continues to face challenges in the disposal of health care waste,

particularly in low-income or developing countries where training and fi nance are limited.


The amount of waste generated per hospital bed varies greatly across the world


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radiotherapy treatment that has not been

disposed of properly. Serious accidents

weere documented in Brazil in 1988 (where

four people died and 28 had serious radia-

tion burns), Mexico and Morocco in 1983,

Algeria in 1978 and Mexico in 1962.”

According to Obid, the lack of adequate

funding remains a serious issue, “particu-

larly for publicly operated hospitals in mid-

dle- and low-income countries. Managers

naturally look at what offers the best perfor-

mance for the money available”.

His research has shown that different

systems apply across the world, which

includes embedding the infectious waste

in a landfill containing municipal

solid waste or using spe-

cially designed land-

fills. He writes

that “most

infectious agents do not have a long lifetime

under landfill conditions”.

Incineration is punted as the best recourse

for dealing with infectious health care waste,

but this too has its own challenges. If incin-

erators are aged and not regulated, mer-

cury and dioxin emissions become a serious

threat to communities living close by. Obid

says: “Traditionally many hospitals in west-

ern Europe and the US ran their own incin-

erators. This had the major advantages of

disinfecting the medical wastes completely

and reducing the amount of waste requiring

transport and disposal elsewhere. Mercury

emissions from medical waste incinera-

tion originate from thermometers, blood

pressure gauges, batteries or amalgam

that are discarded incor-

rectly as medical waste

in the hospital. Dioxins

are generated due to the

presence of chlorine in

the waste, caused by PVC

and, in some countries, by chlorine used in

chemical disinfection. The implementation

of higher emission standards has increased

the cost of running a waste incinerator, both

in terms of labour and flue gas scrubbing.

As a result, many of the small hospital

incinerators in Europe and the US have been

shut down, so larger, centralised facilities

have emerged.”

In the US, some 85% of health care waste

is incinerated. Historically, the generators of

medical waste relied on smaller plants to

incinerate their waste, but after new regu-

lations from the Environmental Protection

Agency were introduced in 1997, many

smaller facilities shut down.

“The new centralised plants, equipped with

high-standard flue gas cleaning equipment,

often serve a region with 10 million or more

inhabitants and incinerate approximately 15

to 20 t per day. However, the higher costs of

using these facilities (particularly transport

costs) are prompting hospitals to apply dis-

infection methods on their premises.”

The same has occurred in South Africa.

Smaller facilities that did not comply were

shut down and there is a shortage of com-

pliant incineration facilities to dispose of

medical waste.

Health care waste

in a landfill conta

solid wa

ciall

Incineration is punted as the best recourse for dealing with infectious health care waste...


Panel introduction

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W hile South Africa is on a drive to

minimise waste and apply the

waste hierarchy where landfilling

is the final option, we are not there yet. Diver-

sion of waste to landfill may be the buzzwords

in the waste industry in South Africa, but in re-

ality the country still relies heavily on landfill-

ing for both municipal and hazardous waste.

Tenders are still being put out and awarded

for landfill sites and many are still in use

across the country. Small municipalities rely

on landfilling and so too do the the metros

of South Africa. Landfills, if not properly en-

gineered, designed and maintained, pose a

human- and environmental health hazard. As

such, it is important for landfill sites to be

pristine in their structure, categorisation and

day-to-day functioning.

Environmental impacts on the groundwa-

ter resources and the surrounding ecosys-

tems are vital considerations. The main

challenge here is, of course, that members

of the public do not want landfills to be

close to residential areas and the land far

away from these is generally greenfield,

which further increases transport costs for

waste disposal.

Landfills must be well designed and above

all, leachate as well as methane gas

production must be controlled. During its

lifespan, a landfill must be monitored for

the type of waste disposed of, the total

waste incoming, covering of the landfill

daily and the management of informal

reclaimers. And at the end of its life, it must

be rehabilitated.

This takes expert knowledge and expe-

rience. Yanna Erasmus talks to these

experts about landfill design, challenges,

innovations and technology.

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

The A to Z of landfillsWaste of all shapes, sizes and types are produced as a

by-product of daily activity . Many of these waste streams

are extremely hazardous and require specialised treatment

and/or disposal methods.


Panel discussion

What is the central focus of your company in relation to waste management? Jones

& Wagener has been active in

the field of waste and tailings

management for the past 27

years. Our involvement covers

the design and operational

input to commercial waste

disposal facilities (both general

and hazardous); landfill gas

extraction, conveyance and

destruction; mining waste; and

industrial waste.

What is unique about the services that your firm provides? We provide a

complete professional service

encompassing initial planning,

classification, environmental

authorisation, design and project

execution. Our involvement

often extends to operational

advice and ongoing surveillance.

Our geotechnical capabilities

complement our expertise

in the areas of geosynthetic

and mineral clay barriers

and liner stability, as well

as siting of waste facilities.

We strive to keep abreast

of the latest technology in

waste management by regular

Jabulile Msiza, Associate: Jones & Wagener

attendance and presentations

at local and international

conferences. Our staff actively

participate in professional

societies such as SAICE

(South African Institute of Civil

Engineers and its branches),

the IWMSA and the GIGSA

(Geosynthetic Interest Group of

South Africa).

Jones & Wagener deals with varied waste streams, including tailings. How is the management of this different from other hazardous waste streams such as health care waste? Tailings facilities are

much larger in size and have a

complex filling sequence that

ensures the stability of the

structure as a whole. Failures of

these facilities are catastrophic,

hence regular surveillance

of freeboard and stability is

extremely important.

What, in your opinion, are the greatest challenges to efficient landfill management in South Africa? The

greatest challenges

are the shortage

of civil engineering

skills and general

awareness of

engineering

principles

particularly

in relation to

landfill operation.

This is critical

especially at local

government level.

No amount of engineering

design can compensate for

poor management of the

landfilling operation.

What are the essential features a landfill or waste site must possess to have environmental synchrony? An

engineered barrier system to

separate the waste body from

the receiving environment along

with a good drainage system

to drain resulting leachates

from the waste body without

building up excessive pressure

on the barrier. Good stormwater

and leachate management

systems to prevent the escape

of contaminants prior to the

capping and rehabilitation of

the landfill. Monitoring systems

to monitor the performance

of installed systems, waste

pile stability, groundwater and

stormwater quality.

What are your recent accomplishments/flagship projects? We have

designed and are currently

supervising the construction

of a 5 million square metres

large ash storage facility

with a storage capacity of

425 million cubic metres.

When completed, this will be

the fourth largest coal-fired

power station in the world

and the first dry ash dump

to be lined in South Africa.

We’ve also designed and are

supervising the construction

of one of the first hazardous

waste cells to be designed

and approved as per new draft

standards for Disposal of Waste

to Landfill at South Africa’s

largest H:H privately owned

landfill site. On rehabilitation,

we have undertaken a study

on internationally accepted and

alternative capping designs for a

large industrial waste facility and

have designed the instrumented

plots for the pilot testing of

the capping designs chosen. A

number of these designs are

innovative and will use waste

materials available on-site.

Where have your recent growth areas been? Our

environmental engineering

division has expanded, with

a new branch in Centurion

specialising in the rehabilitation

design of opencast mines and

discard/waste dumps.

We have developed reha-

bilitation design tools and

methodologies that optimise

the construction costs with

environmental impacts to

achieve sustainable final post

rehabilitation landforms. Also,

we are actively involved with

and continually improve the

development of best practice

management systems to be

applied with construction,

ensuring the implementation

of the rehabilitation works are

efficiently carried out.

We are currently involved with

the rehabilitation design of a

combined 2 400 ha opencast

pit complex with a currently esti-

mated volume of material to be

moved in the order of 125 mil-

lion cubic metres to achieve

final rehabilitation levels. With

our optimisation techniques,

we aim to reduce this volume

by approximately 15%, while

achieving a natural sustainable

post-rehabilitation environment

and regaining a land-use suit-

able for future generations.

We strive to keep abreast of the latest

technology in waste management by regular

attendance and presentations at local and

international conferences

Barrier installation at a hazardous waste disposal facility


What is Envitech’s primary function or focus when it comes to landfills? Envitech Solutions

provides an environmentally

sound solution for the safe dis-

posal of wastes, including both

general and hazardous wastes.

We provide the full range of

services in landfill engineering

from site selection through to

geotechnical and hydrogeological

site investigations, infrastructure

design, landfill cell and lining sys-

tems design, including leachate

and landfill gas management sys-

tems. One of our specialities is

the performance of Construction

Quality Assurance on projects

where complex lining systems

are being constructed and which

include geosynthetic materials

such as geomembranes (HDPE,

fPP, etc.), geotextiles and geosyn-

thetic clay liners. We have carried

out a number of these assign-

ments both in South Africa and in

the Middle East. In recent years

we have also been involved in the

development of a number of land-

fill gas-to- electricity projects in

South Africa, with the first project

of its kind being carried out in

Durban for eThekwini Municipality.

In your view, what are the major shortcomings of non-compliant landfills in SouthAfrica? Most landfills in South

Africa are owned and operated

by municipalities. Although some

metros and larger municipali-

ties make adequate provision

for the proper construction or

development of landfills and the

operations and management

thereof, there are too many

municipalities that fall short of

what could be considered to be

acceptable in terms of waste

disposal practices. The major

shortcomings include:

• lack of political will to ensure

that sufficient provision is

made in terms of resourc-

es, including human and

financial resources

• lack of adequately trained

and experienced personnel in

waste management, particu-

larly in the operating and man-

agement of landfill sites

• lack of adequate budget to

procure and maintain the

appropriate equipment and

plant that is required

• lack of planning for the

development of future land-

fill facilities with the result

that many municipalities and

even metros are running

out of airspace, which is a

major concern

• many existing landfills are not

licensed or permitted, and in

many instances are incorrectly

located or managed, with sig-

nificant environmental impact

• many of the existing landfills

can best be described as

dumps as no proper opera-

tional or management proce-

dures are in place and most

of the wastes dumped there

are burnt in open fires, caus-

ing air pollution in and around

the sites.

What are the challenges of rehabilitating a landfill after closure? The rehabilitation of a

landfill site after closure mainly

involves assessing whether the

landfill has previously impacted

on or is currently impacting

on the environment. Having

assessed the extent of any

impact, mitigation measures

need to be implemented in the

rehabilitation or closure design.

Another important aspect is

the after use of the site and its

suitability for use by the local

community. Development on top

of closed landfill sites is usually

not possible due to the potential

settlement of the waste body,

which makes it very difficult

to provide stable foundation

conditions for houses or any

other buildings. Another major

challenge is post closure main-

tenance and care, including the

ongoing management of leachate

and landfill gas emanating from

the closed landfill. Depending

on the location and shape of

the site, the rehabilitated land-

fill could, however, be used for

sport fields, nature trails, moun-

tain bike or motorcycle trails.

Can you share any of your most innovative or unique

applications of landfill design as completed by Envitech? We

subscribe to the waste hierar-

chy as enshrined in the Waste

Act and the National Waste

Management Strategy, which

essentially promotes waste mini-

misation, waste reduction and

recycling as a priority. However,

we believe that for many years

to come, landfills will still be

required for the final disposal

of wastes until such time that

alternative treatment and dis-

posal solutions are put in place.

Even then, there will always be

a residue of some kind requiring

disposal to landfill. This is par-

ticularly so when considering the

affordability of alternative solu-

tions and the lack of resources

to implement even basic dis-

posal facilities.

For this reason, in designing

new landfills, we tend to look at

ways of integrating the landfill

facility into the surrounding

environment and community. In

terms of the landfill site itself,

we look at ways of “greening”

the site and, in particular, look

at developing a nature conserv-

ancy on the site should the site

be large enough to facilitate

this. A good example of this

would be the Mariannhill land-

fill site near Durban. Another

option is to incorporate the

landfill site into a larger nature

conservancy area that includes

the surrounding community.

An example of this would be

the new Vlakfontein Hazardous

Waste Facility near Vereeniging,

which has recently received a

waste licence and is due to

be constructed this year. The

new waste treatment and land-

fill facility is located within a

Panel discussion

Stan Jewaskiewitz, Director: Envitech Solutions

We believe that for many years to come, landfills will still be required for the final disposal of wastes until such time that alternative treatment and disposal solutions are put in place

LEFT The eThekweni landfill gas-to-electricity project at Bisasar Road Landfill in Durban


Environmental Engineering

Integrated Waste Management

Recycling, Composting, Anaerobic Digestion

& Thermal Treatment

Waste-to-Energy

Landfill Engineering, Liner Design and CQA

Landfill Gas Management & Power

Generation

Leachate Management & Treatment

Mine Waste Management, Closure &

Rehabilitation

registered nature conservancy.

In terms of technical innova-

tion, we constantly strive to

keep abreast of international

developments, in particular the

design of landfill lining systems

involving geosynthetics. In this

regard, we work closely with

manufacturers and installers

of lining systems to ensure

that a practical and cost-

effective solution is arrived at

to benefit both the client and

the environment.

Finally, we look at facilities

that can be put in place at the

landfill site to reduce the actual

amount of waste being dis-

posed of in the landfill. These

include waste treatment plants

and materials recovery facili-

ties, which can also be used as

a means of job creation for the

local community.

Are waste-to-energy applica-tions effective on landfills in terms of cost and return? Waste-to-energy applications

essentially comprise two

avenues for the disposal of

wastes. Firstly, waste can be

treated directly using thermal

or non-thermal technologies to

produce energy and the residue

is reused or disposed of in a

landfill. Secondly, wastes can

be disposed of in a landfill and

landfill gas is generated through

the decomposition of the organic

fraction of the waste. The landfill

gas, comprising mostly methane

and carbon dioxide, can then

be used as an energy source to

produce heat, steam or gener-

ate electricity in a gas engine.

Landfill gas-to-electricity projects

have already been implemented

in South Africa and some of

them have proved to be viable.

The financial viability of any

waste to energy application is

dependent on a number of fac-

tors and these include the capi-

tal cost, operational cost and

the revenue that can be derived

from the sale of the energy.

Due to the high cost of these

technologies, a waste-to-energy

project is normally integrated

into a waste disposal system

that includes other processes

such as recycling, compost-

ing, etc. These processes give

rise to other revenue streams,

which aid the financial viability

of the project.

Waste-to-energy applications

can therefore be cost effective

depending on size and location,

and more importantly, the mar-

ket for the sale of the energy

and the sale of other products,

such as recyclables and com-

post, etc. These applications

are generally not suited to

small landfill sites.

What recent landfill pro-jects have you completed? Some of our recent landfill

projects include:

• the closure design and licens-

ing of the Henley-on-Klip land-

fill site near Vereeniging

• the design and licensing of

the Lepelle-Nkumpi landfill

near Polokwane

• the design of the new

Olifantsfontein landfill site for

a private owner

• the design and licensing of

the new Vlakfontein Waste

Treatment and Disposal

Facility, for hazardous waste,

for a private client.

ABOVE LEFT Deployment of HDPE geomembrane on 1 million square metres landfill site in Qatar ABOVE RIGHT Landfill gas pumping trial at Luuipaardsvlei landfill


What is the central focus of your company in relation to landfill engineering? We

specialise in the design of all

classes of landfills, general

as well as hazardous. We

aim to design landfills that

are practical to construct and

operate, with the main focus

being on effectively providing

a barrier between groundwater

and the waste body. We feel

that construction quality

assurance (CQA) by qualified

and experienced staff is just as

essential to landfill engineering

as the design itself.

In your view, what are the essential elements of a well-engineered general waste landfill? The landfill will

have to be well engineered

in terms of stability and also

have a leachate drainage

system designed towards

effective leachate drainage to

minimise the static head on

the lining system. We also view

manufacturing quality assurance

(MQA) as well as CQA of the

lining system as an integral part

in the process of establishing

a well-engineered landfill

facility. The best designed lining

system would be rendered

useless if not installed/

constructed properly.

It obviously makes the design

and operation of a landfill

Panel discussion

Jan Palm, Engineer and owner: Jan Palm Consulting Engineers

much easier when the landfill

is suitably located with regards

to the receiving environment

and local climatic conditions.

Please share some of your most innovative and/or challenging designs. Vissershok H:H Waste Management Facility The rehabilitation of Cell 3C

at Vissershok H:H Waste

Management Facility outside

Cape Town was a challenging

design. It is a mono-cell

containing contaminated sand

and the client requested the

sand be isolated from the rest

of the waste in the landfill.

The capping consisted of

the following:

• bulk earthworks to shape 1:3

side slopes and final shape

on top of the cell

• 150 mm thick base

preparation layer on the top

of the cell

• 1.5 mm HDPE geomembrane

(supplied and installed by

Geosynthetic Contractor)

• 200 mm thick sand

protection layer on top of the

geomembrane on the top of

the cell

• 300 mm thick stone leachate

drainage layer (38 mm crushed

stone) on top of the cell

• per forated HDPE leachate

drainage pipe in the stone

drainage layer

• Naue 120/40 R6 reinforcing

grid on the northern

and western 1:3 slopes

(supplied and installed by

Geosynthetic Contractor)

• 300 mm thick sand

protection layer on top of the

geomembrane on the 1:3

side slopes

• 200 mm thick topsoil on

the northern and western

1:3 side slopes as

growth medium

• Kaytech soil saver over

the topsoil

• hydro-seeding of the northern

and western slopes.

The biggest challenge on the

project was the placing of the

sand protection layer on the

1:3 slopes on top of the HDPE.

A reinforcing grid was used to

prevent the sand from sliding

down the slope, but due to the

HDPE capping the grid could

not be anchored on top of the

cell. A run-out length on top of

the cell had to be designed for

the grid to provide sufficient

“anchorage” from the weight

of the sand on top of it. The

grid must be able to not only

carry the weight of the sand

and topsoil, but also the

construction plant during the

installation process. The design

was done in conjunction with

NAUE, Germany, which also

supplied all the geosynthetic

material for the project.

City of Windhoek: Kupferberg LandfillWe were appointed to

design and supervise the

construction of various waste

containment facilities at the

Kupferberg Landfill outside

Windhoek, Namibia.

One of the biggest challenges

in the design was that most

of the future new cells were

constructed on top of old

waste bodies. The underlying

waste in these areas are very

old (1974 as indicated from

dug-up newspapers) and most

of the secondary settlement

(due to biodegradation of

the waste) had already taken

place. We were still concerned

that some settlement could

occur. The cells constructed

on top of old waste were all

designed to be shallow cells to

prevent excavations in waste.

The following steps were

taken to minimise the effect

of possible settlement

underneath the cells:

• reinforcing grids were

installed underneath the lining

system to prevent/minimise

localised settlement

• selected fill was imported

to construct a solid base

underlying the lining system

• all the cell floors were also

designed steeper than

usual to maintain free

draining even in the event of

some settlement

• overlaps in the geosynthetic

clay layers (GCL) were

increased to avoid panel

separation in case of

possible settlement

• cells were designed with two

separate low points (sumps)

in the event of a blockage/

failure of one

• the cell floors were designed

and constructed with a ‘bulge’

in the middle to allow for

possible settlement and if

there was any, to prevent the

forming of a low point in the

middle of the cell as a result.

Due to the unavailability

of clay, all lining systems

consisted of geosynthetic

material, except the leachate

drainage layer, which was

crushed stone, and the HDPE

protection layer, which was

clean imported sand. HDPE

Vissershok H:H Waste Management Facility


Panel discussion

Integrated Waste Management PlansWaste Disposal StrategiesIdentification and permitting of landfill sitesDesign of General and Hazardous Waste sitesDesign of Solid Waste Transfer StationsDesign of Material Recovery FacilitiesOptimisation of Waste Collection SystemsAuditing of Waste Management FacilitiesDevelopment of Operational PlansClosure and Rehabilitation of LandfillsQuality Assurance on Synthetic LinersWaste Recycling Plans

Specialist Waste Management ConsultantsSustainable and appropriate engineering solutions with integrity and professionalism.

Jan Palm Consulting EngineersTel +27 21 982 6570 / Fax +27 21 981 0868 / E-mail [email protected] / www.jpce.co.za

Gansbaai Recycling Centre

Velddrif Transfer Station

Botrivier Drop-off

Hermanus Materials Recovery Facility

Vissershok Waste Management Facility

Stanford Drop-off

was used in conjunction with

GCL as a composite liner.

Geosynthetic flow nets were

used as the leakage detection

drainage medium.

Due to the extreme heat

during daytime, the covering

of the sand protection layer

on top of the HDPE would

have been difficult due to the

waves in the HDPE as a result

of its high thermal expansion

coefficient. In the contract

specifications we addressed

this by specifying that the

covering of the HDPE can only

be done early in the morning or

late afternoon when the HDPE

will be in a flat state.

What are your recent accomplishments/flagship projects? If looking at only landfill

projects, the following:

• City of Windhoek (Namibia):

Design and CQA of

hazardous cells, general

cells, leachate lagoon and

contaminated stormwater

dam at the Kupferberg Landfill

outside Windhoek.

• Enviroserv: Ongoing design

and CQA of new cells (waste)

and encapsulation cells

(high hazardous waste) at

the Vissershok H:H Waste

Management Facility,

Cape Town.

• Stellenbosch Municipality:

Design and CQA of new

Cell 3 at the Stellenbosch

Landfill (G:M:B+).

• Overstrand Municipality:

Design and CQA of a new

cell at the Gansbaai G:M:B-

Landfill Facility.

• Identification of new

regional landfills for West

Coast and Cape Winelands

district municipalities

• Transactional advisors for

Drakenstein Municipality for

the establishment of a waste-

to-energy facility to divert

waste from landfill.

• Assistance with the

establishment of long-term

(more than three years)

public-private partnerships

for Swartland and Overstrand

municipalities for the

operation of their landfills.

What differentiates your service from others in the industry? We believe that our

many years of experience in

municipal solid waste-related

projects provide us with an

intimate understanding of not

only waste and its associated

challenges, but also of

municipal systems.

Due to this advantage, we

can be more innovative in our

approach towards designs

and strategies.

Kupferberg Landfill


Wastewater

This picture has changed dramati-

cally. Eskom introduced energy tariff

increases of 25% per annum over a

three-year period up to 2012, followed by fur-

ther annual increases estimated at 7% over

a seven-year period. To add to the pressure,

the Department of Water Affairs is increasing

regulatory pressure on municipalities to com-

ply with stricter effluent discharge standards.

Literature indicates that current trends are

to opt for advanced treatment technologies

with associated high energy requirements in

order to achieve the more exacting effluent

quality requirements.

The cumulative effect is that energy has

become the highest single cost item (along

with man-hours) on the balance sheet of

municipalities and a critical performance driv-

er and enabler. Plant managers are already

faced with the challenge to reduce treatment

costs with limited budgets, burdened by age-

ing plants with mechanical equipment that

is not operated with energy efficiency as

precursor. The net impact is that the ever-

increasing cost of providing municipal water

services within the boundaries of legislation

is likely to be passed on to the consumer via

higher public municipal tariffs.

It is has become imperative to optimise

energy efficiency and develop opportunities

for energy generation from wastewater and

sludge as part of the municipal wastewa-

ter business. International best estimates

indicate that energy gains and savings of

5 to 30% are realistic, and that 100% self-

sustainability in power supply is possible.

Local indications are that up to 60% of the

energy requirements can be achieved by the

implementation of cell lysis processes with

combined heat and power (CHP) production.

These opportunities can only be realised if

the key players have a baseline from where

to conceptualise and formulate a cohesive

development plan to address the key risks

associated with the water-energy nexus.

The paper focuses on setting a baseline to

support higher order energy considerations

in the wastewater industry, in order to influ-

ence perspectives and advance principles

and incentives that would guide regulators

and parastatals in assuming a development

role in a sustainable and compliant future

municipal wastewater sector.

IntroductionKey issues are to be addressed if govern-

ment, municipalities and water sector stake-

holders (professional service providers and

private operators) are to prepare adequately

for a sustainable and compliant wastewater

treatment industry. Apart from man-hours,

energy is becoming the single most critical

performance enabler and cost driver on the

balance sheets of municipal wastewater treat-

ment plants in South Africa, with potentially

far reaching economic, social and environ-

mental consequences.

The cost of municipal services tariffs are

escalating at a rate that exceeds the abil-

ity of the consumer to pay, as is evident

in the increasing number of municipalities

that battle to achieve acceptable payment

levels. Whereas this has previously affected

smaller towns and municipalities, the trend

is spreading to also impact on cities and

metropolitan municipalities (Cooperative

Governance and Traditional Affairs, 2009).

It is against this backdrop that the ration-

ale that effluent quality requirements and

the associated costs to achieve such quali-

ties must be assessed. Higher levels of

service (e.g. waterborne sewers) and more

advanced treatment technology (e.g. acti-

vated sludge biological nutrient removal) are

generally associated with higher costs. If

higher levels of service are not affordable,

the ability of a municipality to recover its

costs is negatively affected, threatening the

A realistic perspective of energy optimisation considerations

WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS IN SOUTH AFRICA

by Rudi Scheepers*, Marlene vd Merwe-Botha**

Engineers and wastewater treatment plant owners have historically not considered power

consumption as a critical design parameter in the South African wastewater industry, as

the country has experienced an abundance of low-priced electricity for many years.

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CONFERENCE


Wastewater

The above questions are raised as part of a full length submission, which will be featuring over subsequent editions as part of a series. In the next edition is the outline and objective of the study undertaken in light of the questions raised. For more information regarding the paper, please contact [email protected].

revenue base and the financial sustainabil-

ity of the municipality.

Energy efficiency is a critical component

along the value chain of sustainable ser-

vice provision and responsible life cycle

infrastructure development. The global

water sector is already seen to look

beyond the ambit of conventional

treatment to also concentrate

on a sustainable relationship

between water and energy

(electricity). South Africa is

already exploring and pilot-

scaling a project associated

with the supply and demand side in

the greater uptake of energy from the waste-

water sector (Burton et al., 2009).

Water-energy nexusEnergy and water have a symbiotic rela-

tionship and wastewater treatment plants

(WWTPs) contribute to this connection.

WWTPs in the US contribute between 0.1 to

0.3% of the total energy consumption of the

country (WEF, 1997). It becomes increasingly

evident that the impact of the rising demand

for both of these recourses is imminent.

The global water industry is exploring

methods of moving and treating water and

wastewater that are environmentally sus-

tainable and economically viable. This global

approach to balance these two resources is

illustrated in Figure 1.

Over and above the demand for higher

levels of service and technologies, climate

change is also affecting the water cycle.

Some of its impacts can be mitigated

through technical developments and social,

economic and environmental response, as

is demonstrated in Australia. Key energy

demand areas are: pumping over wide ser-

vice areas, asset condition and pipe leak-

age, treatment by aeration and pumping raw

and treated effluent (Global Water Research

Coalition 2010, Turton, 2008).

Electricity cost has become an important

driver to treat wastewater, which resulted

in new and amended technology introduced

to the market in the last 20 years. The

standard approach across the globe will

be to optimise the equipment and sys-

tems for a sustainable and cost-effective

future. There is strong evidence that up

to 15% of wastewater energy demand can

be offset by biogas generation and CHP.

Pumping represents upwards of 30% for

wastewater; however, aeration presents up

to 60% or more of the usage for the service

(Global Water Research Coalition, 2010).

The best opportunities for reducing energy

demand seems to be linked to the high

usage components.

Electricity supply in South AfricaEskom generates 95% of South Africa’s elec-

tricity and 45% of Africa’s electricity that is

exported to Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe,

Mozambique, Swaziland and Lesotho. Coal

contributes 92% towards the country’s elec-

tricity supply (Eskom, 2010). Eskom’s annual

report in 2009 revealed that South Africa is a

net importer of water and the trend will con-

tinue in the future (Eskom, 2009). The cost to

generate energy from fossil fuels will increase

as power generation is still a large consumer

of water, which accounts for about 2% of all

water used in South Africa.

In January 2008, South Africa experienced

electricity shortages that resulted in black-

outs and “load shedding” was implemented

nationwide for the first time in history.

According to Eskom, various capacity limi-

tations were experienced that resulted in

reduced demand to the grid supply and

affected the entire country in all economic

sectors of industry for almost an entire year.

The water sector was greatly affected by

these impacts. To date, the total effect of

these power supply disruptions to treatment

plants and pump stations has not yet been

completely investigated and quantified. It is,

however, fair to observe that the external

and secondary costs incurred as a result of

downtime, and damage to equipment and

processes responsible for collection and

treatment of wastewater is significant and

affected the end user, the environment and

the economy significantly.

Since April 2008, electricity consumers

have felt the effects of price increases,

which compounded to a 260% increase

including the last increase of 25,8% in

April 2011. Eskom, however, has indicated

that it would be applying to the National

Energy Regulator of South Africa for fur-

ther 25% increases for each of 2013 and

2014, which are the first two years of

the next Multi-Year Price Determination.

If the applied increases are awarded,

the compound average electricity price

would increase by more than five times

in the seven-year period from April

2008 to April 2014 (Moneyweb 2011).

Both certainty and uncertainty indicators

give rise to multiple questions posed in the

wastewater industry:

• Are wastewater collection and treatment

facilities equipped to effectively adapt to fur-

ther power disruption events in the country?

• Are treatment technologies upgraded and

new facilities designed with an energy

efficiency perspective and realistic electric-

ity cost centres, preferably ring fenced, to

manage and contain operational and main-

tenance costs?

• How will the treatment industry in South

Africa present itself by 2050 when the glob-

al water sector focuses on self-sufficient

treatment facilities?

• Is the water regulator sufficiently cognisant

of the trade-off between stricter effluent

quality requirements and energy intensity

to deliver such qualities with a shrinking

technical skills sector?

• Are municipal infrastructure funding agen-

cies geared to evaluate energy requirements

as a critical sustainability parameter over

the asset life cycle chain when considering

motivations for high-end technologies?

• Is Eskom putting sufficient and practical

incentives in place to reward energy genera-

tion or savings initiatives by municipalities,

and are avenues explored to partake in

capital renewal projects with high uptake

and energy benefits?

* GIBB, PO Box 3965, Cape Town, 8000,

South Africa.

E-mail: [email protected]

**WaterGroup (Pty) Ltd, South Africa

FIGURE 1: Schematic illustration of the water–energy resource nexus showing the connectivity among the three entities in a balanced sphere


Plant and equipment

Manitou South Africa, a subsidiary of

the Manitou Group in France, has

recently introduced the new Waste

Handler as an innovative alternative to the

Tractor Loader Backhoe (TLB), especially on

smaller sites that make up around 70% of the

approximately 1 000 landfills in South Africa.

Its introduction follows intensive product de-

velopment in cooperation with Interwaste, a

leading South African waste management and

environmental services company.

The Manitou Waste Handler is a versatile,

holistic waste management system that

can efficiently tow, push, load, compact and

effect on-site dust control measures. Only

one man is needed to operate the machine,

making it an economically attractive option.

It can load its own cover material from the

site stockpile, can be used to collect waste

materials and is ideally suited to handle the

problem of illegal dumping.

During recent site trials, the Manitou

Waste Handler exceeded minimum require-

ments as it processed and compacted

over 50 tph of waste, averaged over a

nine-hour shift. Compaction densities of

450 kg/m3 without cover and 550 kg with

cover material were achieved. This repre-

sents an impressive 3:1 compaction ratio

(loose general waste has an average den-

sity of 150 kg/m3.

The Waste Handler is based on a standard

Manitou Telescopic, adapted with protective

guards and Belly plates to suit harsh landfill

site conditions. It also features solid tyres,

which remove the threat of punctures that

standard TLBs are particularly prone to.

The Manitou Waste Handler is supported

nationwide by an expert technical team that

can offer operational training on the machine

as well as guidance on the implementation

of its landfill applications. General waste

management training is also offered.

As well as the Waste Handler, the Manitou

Group also supplies the waste management

industry with the Gehl Skid Steer Loader,

which when fitted with the TurboSaw attach-

ment can be used to clear, remove and

process large green waste materials for

clearing and composting.

The companyManitou South Africa distributes and sup-

ports a wide range of material handling

equipment to the construction, agricultural,

mining, defence and environmental sec-

tors. High performance levels and safety

standards, as well as lower operating costs

enable Manitou to deliver improved opera-

tional profitability.

The company operates an advanced

nationwide aftermarket and support ser-

vice offering 95% parts availability 24

hours a day, throughout the year, on all

Manitou equipment.

The company offers specially tailored

service and finance packages structured

to meet individual business requirements,

whether operating a single machine or a

large fleet.

Warranties and maintenance contracts

are also among a comprehensive range of

personalised services available with the

purchase of every Manitou machine.

MUNICIPAL WASTE MANAGEMENT

Manitou enters the waste management marketUntil now, the only single machine that was able to

execute the full range of daily workface operations

required on a small modern landfi ll site was a Tractor

loader Backhoe.

ABOVE AND BELOW A Manitou waste handler


I n fact, the goal is to choose the narrow-

est shoe possible to match the ground

conditions, which in the Southern Afri-

can region tend to be predominately hard

rock environments.

As Barloworld Equipment group product

specialist Deon Delport explains, proper

flotation helps to reduce wear by keeping

the tracks from becoming submerged in

material. However, using wider shoes when

they are not suited for the application can

lead to any one of the following scenarios:

• Increased bushing and sprocket wear

– Turning resistance, loads and weight

increase with wider shoes, especially in

rough underfoot conditions. This added

stress causes faster wear rates for bush-

ings and sprockets.

• Increased link, track roller, idler tread and

flange wear – Using shoes that are too wide

increases the inter ference between these

surfaces, causing them to wear faster.

• Loosening of pins, bushings and shoe

hardware – Leverage forces increase with

wider shoes. In high impact or especially

rough terrain, greater leverage forces may

lead to premature loosening of bolted and

pressed-fit components.

• Reduction of track joint life

– Bending forces are exag-

gerated when using wide

shoes in high impact appli-

cations, causing pressed

track joints to ‘open up’.

This may lead to loss of lubricant, internal

wear and replacement or reconditioning of

track joints sooner than expected.

• Shoe breakage – Severe turning resistance

in extreme conditions and bending forces

may cause wide shoes to break.

“Caterpillar supplies a range of shoe widths

to provide optimal application match-

es. Narrow shoes work best in firm foot-

ings, while wider, centre-punched shoes

are optimal for wet sand and heavy clay

where a high incidence of packing occurs,”

Delport expands.

Centre-punched shoes allow soft materi-

als to extrude through the track sections so

that they don’t stick to and pack between

mating components, preventing undercar-

riage parts from engaging correctly.

Packing is inevitable in many applications,

so finding the right balance is important.

Roller guards, for example, are designed

primarily for use in high impact underfoot

conditions and should be used sparingly in

softer ground since they may trap debris

and increase the effects of packing.

“As a general rule in every application,

always keep the undercarriage clean of

mud and debris so that rollers can turn

properly, maintain the correct track tension

and ensure that operators are fully trained

to achieve the best machine utilisation,”

adds Delport.

Choose the right shoe widthWhen it comes to choosing the right undercarriage system to match your working

application, two key factors to consider are shoe width and fl otation.

Every application affects undercarriage wear differently and requires proper track adjustment

A Cat track-type tractor elevated sprocket undercarriage system

Plant and equipment

Tel: +27 11 842 5600 / Fax: +27 11 842 5610 e-mail: [email protected] / www.pilotcrushtec.com


Industry news

T he holiday period is habitually a time

of largesse for many South Africans

and we are attracted to brightly pack-

aged products that often contain disappoint-

ingly small consumables inside their cheerful

and wasteful casings. Along with the packag-

ing, we tend to overstock on groceries that

may end up not being used and ultimately

discarded, adding to the ever growing piles of

organic waste we send to landfill every year.

Vice-president of the IWMSA, Dr Susan

Oelofse, says: “Not only

is it an unnecessary

expense to buy more food

items than we need and cannot

possibly consume, it is simply

unconscionable in today’s dif-

ficult economic times.

In terms of refuse, food – or organic

waste – is a huge landfill challenge

since it represents the major contribut-

ing factor to the production of harmful

methane gases. Altogether, a staggering

40% of the waste that ends up in our

landfills annually is organic, a clue that

tells us that as consumers we are waste-

ful creatures indeed. We can minimise this

type of waste by planning before we shop,

careful storage so that leftover food does

not become tainted and inedible, and com-

posting wherever possible.

Oelofse continues: “However, food waste

is not the preserve only of the end consum-

er, there is the issue of organic waste being

produced during the agricultural process,

as well as in harvesting, handling, storage,

processing and distribution. These factors

are critical and very good reasons for us

to support our local food producers.

There is substantially less

overall wastage if the point at which the

food originates to the point of its final dis-

tribution is reduced.

“One must also bear in mind that the

production of food requires the use of all

sorts of the earth’s resources. A horrifying

statistic is that we waste around at least

one third of our total global food produc-

tion annually. Had that wasted food not

been produced in the first place, perhaps

more trees could be grown, which would

in turn go a long way to offsetting harmful

greenhouse gas emissions.

Mismanagement of our planet, it

seems, is what we do best and yet if

we all try to make even a minuscule

difference, the cumulative effects

could make a tremendous and

positive difference.”

The IWMSA focuses on providing

education and training for its mem-

bers, as well as other interested

parties, whether private individuals or

government entities.

It is a non-profit organisation comprising

a body of dedicated professionals who

give freely and voluntarily of their time and

expertise in order to effectively educate,

promote and further the science and prac-

tice of waste management. For more infor-

mation, visit: www.iwmsa.co.za.

Ease up on food wasteNo matter what our creed, April entails public holidays, time away, entertaining and often feasting. With this traditional break soon to be upon us, the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA) urges all South Africans to reduce excessive food consumption, to compost organic waste wherever possible and also to be especially conscious of purchasing over-packaged products.

INDEX TO ADVERTISERS

African Utility Week 33

AfriSam OBC

Amandus Kahl Hamburg 13

Bell Equipment 30

Boitumelong Investment Holdings OFC

CAIA 31

Duncanmec 61

Envitech Solutions 53

Gast International SA IBC

Golder Associates 8 & 9

Howden 48

Health Care Waste Forum

Southern Africa 35

Interwaste 27

Jan Palm Consulting Engineers 55

Jones & Wagener 51

Kaytech 19

Langkloof Bricks 39

Mills & Otten 18

MTM Bodies 59

Oilkol 17, 23 & 24

Otto Waste Systems 4

Pikitup 12

Pilot Crushtec 63

Plastics|SA 44 & 45

Rose Foundation 2

Rose Foundation NORA - SA 21

SLR Consulting 37

Talbot & Talbot IFC

Watertec Africa/ Pumps Vales & Pipes

Africa 2013 43

G E O S Y N T H E T I C S & G E O M E M B R A N E S

S I M P L I C I T Y = P E R F E C T I O N

GAST is the premier provider of geosynthetic products and installation services. We provide complete service and support for any geosynthetic requirement.

GAST offers extensive experience and superior quality, innovative products. Detail drawings, as well as extensive technical and estimating support can be provided to assist with designs for the most economical and constructible configuration which meets the project requirements.

7 9 9 4 Q M S 0 0 1

www.gast .co .za • info@gast .co .zaTEL: +27 (12) 660 1616 • FAX: +27 (12) 660 2093

0860 141 141 www.afrisam.com

We’re using our grey matter to go greenConcern for an increasingly fragile planet is everyone’s business. We took the lead in the move towards a sustainable future when we became

the fi rst company in the world to measure the carbon footprint at each and every one of our operations. We continue to lead, reducing our

emissions, improving our energy effi ciency and developing advanced composite cements with low carbon footprints.

For us, however, sustainability extends beyond practices and products. Social upliftment is a big part of the future too...

which is why we invest so deeply in developing the communities in which we operate.

So when it comes to specifying cement, insist on AfriSam.

5487

Left

Righ

t

A MEMBER OF THE

Leaders in Advanced Composite Cement

Resource Feb 2013

Documents

waste division

composting of organic

south africas waste

national strategy

contact talbot laboratories

respect of legislation

solid wasteseeking

leon bredenhann