Frequently Asked Questions

Background

The Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA) is a non-profit organisation that supports professional waste management practices.

Our organisation comprises of volunteers who promote environmentally acceptable practices. We strive to protect our environment and people of Southern Africa against poor waste management practices.

Q. Does IWMSA do waste removals?

The Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa does not do any waste removal. We are purely a “Watch Dog” for the waste industry and committed to good practices in the waste industry.

Waste Removal is mainly done by Local Authorities and Private Companies.

Please visit our website and download our Buyers Guide that will guide you in finding the correct service provider for your special needs.

Q. Do you supply containers for recycling?

No we do not supply any containers for recycling. We suggest that you find the contact details of the relevant recycling organisations under our Recycling section below for your recycling and container needs.

Q. Do you collect recycling containers?

No we do not collect any recycling containers.

We suggest that you find the contact details of the relevant recycling organisations under our Recycling section below for your recycling and container needs.

Q. Which companies can I contact to provide waste management / removal / disposal services for Hazardous waste?

This will depend on your specific requirements and the kind of waste than needs to be removed.

We have a detailed list of service providers in our Buyers Guide that will be able to assist you with your specific requirements.

Registration as a Waste Transporter

Background
The registration as a waste transporter varies from area to area. With many of your larger Local Authorities you are required as per their by-laws to register as a service provider and transporter of waste. This is mainly to keep track of all the different role players and transporters within the municipal boundaries.

With regards to the provincial requirements this also varies from province to province.  The department  currently responsible for waste is the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Current Contact Details:    
Jonathan Malivha
Telephone Number:  011 355 1639
Fax Number: 086 660 7071
Website Details:  www.gdard.gpg.gov.za

Q. Where do I need to register as a service provider and waste transporter?

We would suggest that you contact your Local Municipality where you operate in to find out if you are required to register as a service provider

You can also contact the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to find out more on the provincial requirements.

Current Contact Details:
Jonathan Malivha
Telephone Number:  011 355 1639
Fax Number: 086 660 7071
Website Details:  www.gdard.gpg.gov.za

Recycling

Background
Recycling is key to reduce the amount of waste that lands up on our landfill sites.  We believe that it is our responsibility as waste managers to educate and keep the general public involved regarding ways and means of how to recycle. 

When we start to recycle we reduce the amount of waste going to our landfill site thus prolonging the lifespan of our landfill sites.  We need to look further than just the financial gain of recycling but also look at the environmental impact this will have on the environment.

Businesses have and added incentive to recycle because it cuts down the amount of waste being sent to landfill and therefore the cost of disposing this waste.

Q. How can I reduce waste at home?

• Pay attention to packaging
• Buy products that are packaged minimally
• Buy larger packages when possible
• Buy concentrated products if you can
• Do you really need the new article that you buy?
• Use reusable shopping bags.
• Purchase reusable products
• Buy rechargeable batteries.
• Recycle as much as you can.
• Use energy saving bulbs
• Buy quality products.
• Sell or donate articles that you don’t need anymore
• Purchase items that are made from recycled products
• Make compost out of your green waste
  

Q. Where can I take my glass to be recycled and what kind of Glass can be recycled?

All kinds of glass of any colour can be recycled; it does not matter if they are broken. The following glass will not be excepted for recycling

• Computer and TV Screens
• Light Bulbs
• Car Head Lights
• Laboratory Glass
  

Useful Information

Glass bottles don't need to be separated into the different glass colours. You do not have to wash glass before recycling but it would be nice to remove all the lids

Important Contact Detail:  

The Glass Recycling Company
Telephone Number: 0861245277
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
                                                      
To find out where your closest Glass Bank is simply SMS “Glass” and the name of your suburbs to 32310.

Q. I am interested in starting a recycling program at my office / school / neighbourhood. How do I get started?

Please read our discussion under the Sectional Trust Development, this will give you a clear understanding  on how to start this recycling drive.

You may also visit the National Recycling Forum’s information page, as well as our Win with Waste page. This will give you an easy to follow guide to start a recycling program.

Q. What is e waste and how do I dispose of e waste?

Electronic waste or e-waste as it is commonly known is electronic waste. Although electronic waste also has a hazardous component in them that needs specialized disposal techniques, the majority of e waste can be recycled, thus decreasing the need for raw materials needed to manufacture new appliances.

Herewith some examples of electronic waste:

Fax Machines, Cell Phones, Washing Machines, Coffee Machines, Old Computers, Computer screens, Fluorescent Tubes, Televisions, Fridges, Medical Instruments, Surveillance Equipment, Lawn Mowers.                          

We suggest that you contact the e-Waste Association to find out where your closest collection site is.

Q. What are the prices for recycling material

Just like the stock exchange the prices for recycled material varies from day to day depending on the current demand for the specific material.

We suggest that you contact the relevant recycling company  to establish what the current prices are for the Specific material

Q. Where is my closest recycling depot?

The easiest way to find your closest recycling drop of depot would be to contact the relevant recycling organisation to assist with the relevant details of the depot within your area.

Q. Where can I take my empty plastic bottles?

We suggest that you contact one of the following recycling organisations to assist with your specific recycling requirements

Important Contact Detail:      

Plastics Federation of SA
Telephone Number  +27 (0) 11 314 4021
e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
                                                    
PETCO
Telephone Number  0860 147 738
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.petco.com

Extrupet
Telephone Number  +27 11 865 8360/1
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.extrupet.com
                                                      
Polystyrene packaging council
Telephone Number +27 (0) 12 259 0554
e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.polystyrenepackaging.co.za

Expanded Polystyrene Association of SA
Telephone Number  +27 (0) 11 805-5002
e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.epsasa.co.za
                                                   
South African Plastics Recycling organization
Telephone Number  083 654 8967
www.sapro.biz

Q. What can I do with all my old oil?

All used oil and lubricants can be recycled. Currently 85 Million litres of used oil is collected on an annual basis.

Herewith the different oil currently collected;

• Hydraulic Oil
• Gear Oil
• Engine Oil
  

Important Contact Details:  

Rose Foundation
Telephone Number:  021 448 7492
e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.rosefoundation.org.za

Oilkol
Telephone Number: 086 110 1961
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Q. Where can I take my paper to be recycled?

All sorts of paper can be collected for paper recycling projects. The following paper can be collected for recycling:

• Newspapers, Magazines & old telephone directories
• Office Paper
• Computer Printouts
• Cardboard Boxes
• Pamphlets

Please contact one of the recycling organisations below directly to find out where your closest recycling depot is.

Important Contact Details:  

Paper, Recycling Association of Southern Africa
Telephone Number: 0118035063
www.prasa.co.za

Mondi Recycling
Telephone Number: 0312746600  Kwa Zulu Natal
0123861381  Gauteng
0219315106  Western Cape
www.paperpickup.co.za

Nampak Recycling
Telephone Number:  0800018818
www.nampak.com

Sappi Refibre
Telephone Number: 0828767468    Gauteng
0832271379   Western Cape
0832346217   Limpopo & Mpumalanga
0832346284   Other Provinces

Q. Where can I take my tin cans to be recycled?

Nearly all cans / tins can be recycled. Herewith a list of the tins or cans that can be recycled

• Food Cans
• Aluminium Cans
• Paint Tins
• Steel Beverage Cans
• Oil Cans
• Aerosol Cans

Important Contact Detail:      

Collect-a-Can
Telephone Number  +27 (0) 11 466 2939
www.collectacan.co.za

Q. I am a trustee at a Sectional Title Development, how do we start our own recycling project in the complex?

Although many people might be under the impression that it is a very difficult project to get off the ground we believe that by following these basics steps and starting off small, you will be able to make a huge success of your recycling project.  This basic steps can also be followed for schools, communities or shopping centres

• Support.  The support of fellow inhabitants is critical - the new project will bring about change and some additional responsibilities for some staff, or new procedures for shopping centre employees and tenants 
• Form a “Recycling Team”. The team must include stakeholders from within the sectional trust, school or the shopping centre. This will enable you to gather support and knowledge from all the different role players.
  
• Waste Stream.  Your recycling team should conduct an audit to find out what kind of waste goes into your waste stream this will determine if a recycling project will be feasible in your area or not. While doing the audit you need to check what waste can be recycled.
  
• Local Authority.  Ensure that you are legally permitted to do recycling in your area, this is determined by the cities by-laws
  
• Discussion with Recycling Companies.  Start discussions with the preferred recycling companies that will be responsible for the placement of the recycling bins and the actual collection of full containers. It is important to put a timetable together for the collection of recyclable material
  
• Communication: Feedback to residents regarding the placement of bins for recyclable material, date and the time  of collections is important as this will determine the success of your project.
• Designate weekly or monthly follow up to ensure that procedures are being followed and keep residents posted on the progress of the project via your news etter or e-mails
  

Please refer to the National Recycling Forum’s information page, as well as the IWMSA’s Win with Waste page. It will provide you with an easy to follow guide to start a recycling program, as well as provide you with contact information of all the recycling companies that collect specific recyclables.

Composting

Compost happens naturally, no matter what, but by following these directions you help to accelerate the natural decomposition process to produce healthy soil.

Step 1: Obtain a bin or an area in your yard that is approximately one cubic yard (3’x3’x3’).  Size is important for the proper temperature,  piles that are too small cannot hold enough heat for effective microbial  activity, and piles too large (more than 5 feet cubed)  do not allow for enough air to reach microbes in the centre of the pile.

Step 2: Mix two parts brown (dry leaves, small twigs, straw, etc.) with one part green (grass clippings, kitchen scraps, etc.).  This 2:1 ratio provides the best mix of carbon (brown materials) to nitrogen (greens).
   
Step 3: Chop or break up any twigs and large pieces of fruit and vegetable waste.  Materials will break down more quickly with increased surface area.

Step 4: Keep it moist.  Water your compost to keep it moist like a wrung-out sponge.

Step5: Keep it turning.  Compost needs air.  Turning the compost will help it break down and will prevent it from smelling unpleasant.

Step 6: When it is ready your compost should look and smell like rich soil.  Use finished compost to feed your garden, flowers, potted plants and lawn.

What shouldn’t go in compost?

Bones, meat, eggs (egg shells are okay), cheese, and other dairy products or oils should be thrown in     the     garbage.  Excrement from dogs and cats should also be kept out.