Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Bernice Swarts, has called on households, businesses and institutions to support responsible e-waste management by ensuring that unwanted electronic equipment is taken to recognised collection and recycling facilities.
“Small electronic items may appear insignificant when discarded individually, but collectively they contribute to a rapidly growing waste stream. This year’s message, ‘Don’t bin it, bring it’, reminds us that electronic products should be returned to appropriate collection and recycling channels rather than thrown away with ordinary waste,” the Deputy Minister said on Wednesday.
Swarts made these remarks as South Africa joins the global community in commemorating International E-Waste Day, observed annually on 14 October to raise awareness on the growing challenge of electrical and electronic waste and the importance of responsible collection, recovery and recycling.
This year’s International E-Waste Day is commemorated under the theme “Fast Tech | Don’t bin it, bring it!”, placing the spotlight on small, inexpensive electronic products such as earphones, charging cables, adapters, electronic toys, mini fans and other everyday gadgets that are often discarded with general household waste instead of being recycled.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has encouraged all South Africans to recognise e-waste, return unwanted electronic products to appropriate collection points and support responsible recycling practices.
In South Africa, electronic waste remains a growing environmental challenge. The country generates more than 360 000 tonnes of e-waste annually, while only about 10% is estimated to be properly recycled.
Improperly discarded electronic equipment can contain hazardous substances such as lead, mercury and cadmium, which may contaminate soil and water and pose risks to human health and the environment.
Through the implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations, the department, together with producers of electrical and electronic equipment and Producer Responsibility Organisations, has rolled out an e-waste collection and recycling programme across all nine provinces, with particular focus on rural and peri-urban communities.
The programme requires Producer Responsibility Organisations to work with municipalities, existing collectors, waste reclaimers and micro, small and medium enterprises to establish accessible collection points and strengthen the collection, recycling and recovery of electronic waste.
The Extended Producer Responsibility system also seeks to create sustainable economic opportunities for local enterprises and provides for support to young people, women and persons with disabilities participating in the waste economy.
“Many of these interventions have targeted rural municipalities where access to specialised e-waste collection and recycling infrastructure remains limited. The programme aims to establish long-term recycling habits, improve awareness and create locally accessible collection systems.
“The department further reminds South Africans that the disposal of e-waste to landfill has been prohibited since August 2021, creating an important opportunity to divert electronic waste towards recycling and recovery operations,” the department said.
The Department continues to work with Producer Responsibility Organisations, municipalities and other partners to strengthen permanent e-waste collection infrastructure, public awareness programmes, local business participation and links to licensed recycling facilities.
“South Africa’s transition towards a circular economy will require greater recovery of valuable resources from waste, increased recycling, stronger public-private partnerships and greater participation by local enterprises and informal waste reclaimers,” the department added. -SAnews.gov.za
