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Date : 19/05/2005
Source:Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
Title: Mabudafhasi: Launch of glass memorandum of understanding


  Address by Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Rejoice Mabudafhasi, at the launch of the glass memorandum of understanding

Programme Director
MEC for Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Ms Tasneem Essop
The Executive Mayor of the City Cape Town,
Honourable Nomaindia Mfeketo
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe
Members of the media
Distinguished guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

In his message on World Environment Day 2002, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr Kofi Annan said, “Despite the advance and despite the considerable efforts and significant achievements since the ‘Earth Summit’, the latest reading reveals a planet still in need of intensive care. Poverty, pollution and population growth; rural poverty and rapid urbanisation; wasteful consumption habits and growing demands for water, land and energy continue to place intense pressure on the planet’s life support systems threatening our ability to achieve sustainable development”.

Programme Director, waste management is one of the first building blocks for sustainable development. As economies of countries begin to grow, more and more sophisticated and special wastes are produced and that calls for sound and appropriate waste management strategies to deal with these wastes. South Africa is no exception, and as such it is important that as our economy grow and become more sophisticated, we must also begin to implement strategies that will deal with these waste in a more sustainable manner.

This glass memorandum of understanding (MOU) that we will be signing here today evolves from extensive research, consultation and negotiation and enjoys the support of the National Glass Recycling Forum, which includes the entire waste glass value chain as well as the consumer groups. This initiative aims to drive glass-recycling levels up from the current 20 % to 50% per annum in fewer than five years.

The signing of the MOU follows the signing of the plastic bag MOU in 2002. We have learnt some valuable lessons from the plastic bag experience. My officials, who serve on the National Glass Recycling Forum, have reliably informed me that stakeholders have ensured that all gaps and loopholes that existed during the signing of the plastic bag MOU are dealt with. It also pleases me to note that the MOU is based on targets, which will be set in consultation with my department, as well as an incentive-based approach, which will result in creation of formal and informal jobs.

The official signing of this MOU also marks the launching of a comprehensive national recycling campaign, aimed at addressing the challenges posed by waste glass in the environment.

Glass recycling has become a national government priority following on the success of the “plastic bag” drive, which has helped significantly reduce plastic waste in the environment. It is encouraging that in this instance industry has taken a proactive stance in driving glass recycling by agreeing on a model of self-regulation. Key to this will be the setting up of a section 21-company, which will be managed according to the guiding principles laid down in the MOU.

This covers all areas of the recycling model from the economics, the supply chain and funding mechanisms to operational considerations, as well as the various responsibilities across the manufacturer, producers and user chain.

I am pleased to say that as a country, we have reached a sterling moment for environmental management especially waste management where much more efforts are being engineered to ensure that our current state of waste management is improved.

We have taken a multilateral approach within the country to handle waste. In 2001, the department hosted the first National Waste Summit at Polokwane, where stakeholders from government, business community and civil society reaffirmed their commitment to waste minimisation, re-use and recycling for sustainable development. All present committed themselves to reducing waste generation and disposal and to develop a plan for zero waste by 2022.

It is now clear that the Polokwane declaration is starting to bear fruit. Such efforts as the glass industry’s initiative to address waste glass in the environmental are welcomed and should be commended.

The Department of Environmental Affairs as the lead agent for the environment in the country, also takes overall responsibility for integrated pollution and waste management. Within the framework of achieving this responsibility, the department with assistance from the Danish government completed the National Waste Management Strategy in 1999

Currently the department has prioritised four projects within the framework of the National Waste Management Strategy for the effective implementation of the strategy. These projects include:

* recycling
* waste information system
* healthcare waste
* capacity building.

Central to these projects are pilot projects, which are been set up throughout the country. We as the department will appreciate partnerships with business in an attempt to ensure that these projects are successful and become a core of a better waste management for South Africa.

The vision of our government is to develop, to put into action and to uphold an integrated pollution and waste management system, which contributes to sustainable development and a measurable improvement in the quality of life. This will be achieved by harnessing the energy and commitment of all South Africans for the effective prevention, minimisation and control of pollution and waste.

In conclusion I wish to thank everyone who has been part of this process, especially the National Glass Recycling Forum for the sterling job done to ensure that this MOU is brought to life today.

It is upon every South African including organised business and the civil society to take up this challenge and ensure that we achieve sustainable environmental management for the benefit of the present and future generation.

Together we will succeed.

I thank you.

Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
19 May 2005

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