Hon Chair, the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs has embarked on a law reform process that seeks to make certain amendments and improvements to the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, in order to improve and enhance implementation, as well as to streamline some regulatory approaches for acceleration of economic growth and for promoting a waste recycling economy.
On 4 May 2012, South Africa made final the Waste Management Strategy, which is now under implementation. The strategy is based on principles that promote dealing with the waste hierarchy, namely reduce, reuse, recycle and recover.
Having reconsidered this strategy and the current policy and regulatory framework, we acknowledge that they do not quite actively or adequately promote the waste management hierarchy. They have limited the economic potential of the waste management sector, which has an estimated turnover of approximately R50 billion per annum.
Both waste collection and the recycling industry currently make meaningful contributions to job creation and the gross domestic product, GDP, which can be accelerated and scaled up. We do therefore think that it is important to make these amendments, and this then is why this Bill has come about.
The main drivers of waste generation are essentially expanding economies, increased goods production and an increase in population and production. This illustrates the message that resonated in this House last week and also throughout this week that South Africa's economy has been growing since 1994. Indeed, this is a good story to tell.
Despite South Africa's positive economic trajectory, unemployment remains rife amongst skilled and unskilled workers. Given the nature of the waste sector, there are significant potential opportunities that need to be unlocked and unblocked in order for this sector to effectively contribute to job creation.
Increasing quantities of waste, poor waste management and lack of access to waste services lead to pollution and associated health impacts and environmental degradation. This is coupled with the fact that levels of recycling and reuse are relatively low, and waste is not necessarily seen or considered as a resource with socioeconomic potential.
To address these challenges in this area, the National Development Plan has identified the implementation of the waste management hierarchy, which is reduce, reuse, recycle and recover, as a means to exploit job creation and economic production in this sector.
This requires product stewardship, producer responsibility and rapid expansion of infrastructure, in particular. This is what the changes in this Bill actually intend to address.
Chairperson, you will know that some of our people who depend on the informal economy have been living on waste dumps in order to sustain a livelihood. They are commonly known as waste pickers. For some of them, this is all they know and have practised since childhood.
They are still picking waste and they will probably also pass this practice on to their children as well. This problem is perpetuated, amongst other things, by thousands of waste pickers who do this for their families every day.
After 20 years of our democracy, the time has come for a transformation of the waste sector in order to offer our people a more dignified living by drawing them into the mainstream economy, as well as formalising the waste- recycling sector as a viable and decent way to accelerate job creation in this sector for tens of thousands of South Africans.
In this context, Chairperson, in this Bill we have agreed on the amendment of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act and we recommend to this august House that this includes rationalising certain definitions and concepts to provide regulatory clarity and certainty, as well as creating an innovative institutional mechanism to supplement capacity in the waste sector.
Firstly, we feel that there is a need to create more policy and regulatory certainty.
Secondly, by augmenting the institutional capacity and clearly defining the roles and responsibilities amongst us as spheres of government, we can uncap and unleash the R50 billion worth of potential that is in this industry.
Consequently, this will be the catalyst for investment in large-scale recycling infrastructure to enable waste separation, waste diversion, recycling and recovery.
It is because of this approach that we have expanded certain terminologies and definitions, such as recovery, reuse and waste, to embrace the broader context and to create the enabling regulatory environment and institutional mechanisms to facilitate and promote the recycling economy.
With the two minutes that are left to me, I would like to indicate that we are indeed dealing with this because of the need for us to create jobs.
We have been implementing some of the programmes practically throughout South Africa, and we are certain that these changes will actually help us to create jobs. Thank you very much. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Hon Speaker, hon Ministers, Deputy Ministers, hon members, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, I rise on behalf of the ANC, and hopefully the Portfolio Committee on Water and Environmental Affairs, to recommend to this House the adoption of amendments in the National Environmental Management: Waste Amendment Bill.
Hon Speaker, the President, in the state of the nation address on 13 February 2014, reiterated that the country was still going through a difficult financial period. The President called on all of us to work together, as government, business and labour, to grow the economy at rates above 5% so that it would be possible to create the jobs we need.
The waste sector has significant unlocked potential for job creation, as well as a potential to contribute significantly to economic development. The potential contribution of the waste sector to the green economy is estimated to be in excess of R50 billion and is increasing as more technologies are introduced on scale. The job creation contribution is currently at 10 000 jobs per annum.
The National Waste Information Baseline study, which was commissioned by the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs in 2011, showed that of the 108 million tons of waste generated in South Africa, only 10% was recycled.
Approximately 97 million tons of waste each year are disposed of in landfill sites. A further study of the department in 2012 to 2013 also shows that waste collection service delivery is at 65%. Unlicensed municipal waste disposal sites are at 50%.
It is also worth noting that in South Africa the composition of household waste alone, excluding paper, is currently composed of the following: plastics, 14%; glass, 3%; cans, 4%; garden refuse, 29%; noncompostable food waste, 12%; compostable food waste, 25%; and unrecyclable general waste, 13%.
South Africa does not compare favourably to other countries as far as the recycling of waste and waste-to-energy processes are concerned. As mentioned earlier, in South Africa only 10% of waste is recycled; 2% of waste is processed in waste-to-energy processes; and 88% of waste ends up on landfill sites.
In comparison, I will mention a few countries from developed nations to show what potential there is. In Germany, 65% of waste is recycled, 33% of waste is processed in waste-to-energy processes and 2% ends up on landfill sites. In the Netherlands, 59% of waste is recycled, 38% is processed in waste-to- energy processes and 3% ends up on landfill sites.
In Belgium, 63% of waste is recycled, 33,5% is processed in waste-to-energy processes and 3,5% ends up on landfill sites.
In Sweden, 49% of waste is recycled, 47,5% is processed in waste-to-energy processes and 3,5% ends up on landfill sites.
In Denmark, 42% of waste is recycled, 52% is processed in waste-to-energy processes and 4% ends up on landfill sites.
You do not have to be a rocket scientist to see that in all these countries less than 5% of waste ends up on landfill sites and all the rest is used or reused, but in South Africa the figure is 88%. The potential is there for everyone to see.
The overall strategic approach to waste management in South Africa, and the consequent waste legislation flowing from it, is influenced and informed by the key elements of the so-called waste hierarchy, which is based on the principles of reduce, reuse, recycle and recover waste.
The management of waste through this hierarchical approach is a recognised international model for the prioritisation of waste management options.
The model offers a holistic approach to the management of waste materials. It also provides a systematic method for waste management during the waste lifecycle, in turn addressing waste avoidance, reduction, reuse, recycling, recovery, treatment and safe disposal as a last resort.
This strategy aims eventually to reduce South Africa's reliance on landfill sites for waste disposal, where we are currently dumping 88% of our waste.
The adoption of the waste hierarchy has been a policy in South Africa for some time now, but the management of waste has not always necessarily followed the hierarchical approach.
One of the reasons for this phenomenon could be that the present policy and regulatory environment possibly does not provide for the policy certainty required by industry to invest significantly in waste management technologies. This is because the policy and regulatory environment does not always effectively and consistently promote the waste management hierarchy.
This has limited the economic potential of the waste management sector. Other factors that limit the economic potential are the absence of large- scale recycling infrastructure to enable waste separation, waste diversion, recycling and recovery. There is also growing pressure on outdated waste management infrastructure, with declining levels of capital investment and maintenance.
Against this background the following challenges have been identified in the present legal framework of waste management in our country.
Firstly, there is a need to provide for an institutional mechanism for the implementation of the waste hierarchy of reuse, recycling and recovery and management of industry waste management plans and waste streams. I can also add here that Salga has brought to our attention that, of course, those needs for capacity also exist at local government level.
Secondly, there is also a need to address the funding of the integrated waste management plans and industry waste management plans, and to provide for the alignment of existing integrated plans with any new financial provisions, which may be provided for.
Thirdly, there is a need to make the provision that integrated industry waste management plans, which affect more than one province, are to be decided upon by national government after consultation with the affected provinces; whereas such plans that uniquely only affect a specific province must be decided by the relevant MEC of the province, in consultation with the national Minister.
Finally there is a need to clarify the definitions of "waste", "by- product", "reuse", "recovery" and "recycling".
Hon Speaker, the amendments to the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, being proposed today in the National Environmental Management: Waste Amendment Bill, seek to address the challenges identified above and further reinforce government's hierarchal approach to waste management.
These amendments do so by providing more regularity and certainty for industry and spheres of government dealing with waste, as well as more opportunities for the utilisation and beneficiation of various waste streams, through incentives and funding through the national fiscus and otherwise.
The current National Environmental Management: Waste Act makes provision for the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, or an MEC dealing with the environment, to be able to call upon generators of certain waste streams to prepare and submit industry waste management plans for approval.
The industry waste management plan provides, among other things, information on the volume of waste generated; the targets for waste minimisation through waste reduction, reuse, recycling and recovery; the phasing-out of the use of specified substances; opportunities for the reduction of waste generation through changes to packaging, product design and product processes; and the extent of any financial contribution to be made to support consumer-based reduction programmes.
The issue of the latter financial contributions to be made has always been a source of controversy; and the constitutionality of financial contributions payable by members in terms of an industry waste management plan has been questioned, but never satisfactorily resolved. The Bill now resolves, among other things, the matter of funding of industry waste management plans.
The Bill empowers the Minister, in concurrence with the Minister of Finance, to publish a pricing strategy to achieve the objectives of the Act, in relation to waste management or any waste stream, within three months of the commencement of this Act.
The pricing strategy is to contain the basis and guiding methodology or methodologies for setting waste management charges, which will be used for the funding of the implementation of industry waste management plans for those activities that generate specific waste streams; the reuse, recycling or recovery of waste in previously disadvantaged communities; and various other issues that this pricing strategy will deal with.
The pricing strategy will form the basis for an Act of Parliament in the form of a money Bill. This money Bill will give effect to the necessary elements of the pricing strategy, and must be tabled within three months of the date of the publication of the pricing strategy.
This money Bill will address the imposition of waste management charges; the determination of waste management charges and the review of these waste management charges from time to time; the procedure for the collection through the national fiscal system; the procedure for the appropriation and allocation of such funds for the work of the Waste Management Bureau; and the implementation of any approved industry waste management plan for a specific waste stream as outlined in this Act.
This Bill and the money Bill, when enacted, will impact on existing industry waste management plans, for example the present tyre management waste plans. The Bill also provides for extensive transitional arrangements to allow for the revision of these existing plans in order to align them with the pricing strategy and the money Bill, when enacted.
A new provision has been inserted to provide that, when the Minister calls for industry waste management plans to be compiled, the Minister must consult every MEC of the provinces affected by the waste in question, or the province where the waste management activity is conducted, prior to taking a decision whether to approve the industry waste management plan or not.
The Act has also been amended to clarify the MEC's powers in relation to requesting and approving industry waste management plans. The MEC has the power to call for industry waste management plans in respect of any activity that affects only that province, but the MEC must obtain the concurrence of the national Minister.
However, enabling legislation alone would not be enough to unlock the economic potential of the waste sector in the absence of the necessary institutional capacity. Therefore, an implementation bureau dealing with waste management, to be known as the Waste Management Bureau, is established by this Bill in the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs.
The bureau will have to exercise its powers and perform its functions within the framework of a policy published by the Minister. The Minister is obliged to monitor the exercising of powers and performance of functions of the bureau; set service-level standards and norms for the bureau for the execution of its powers and functions; and can issue directives to the bureau in the case of noncompliance with the policy determined to ensure the effective and efficient functioning of the bureau.
The objects of the bureau are, amongst other things, to promote and facilitate the minimisation, reuse, recycling and recovery of waste; to manage the disbursement of incentives and funds derived from waste management charges for the minimisation, reuse, recycling, recovery, transport, storage, treatment and disposal of waste and the implementation of industry waste management plans.
The bureau also has to monitor the implementation of industry waste management plans and the impact of incentives and disincentives; and very importantly, at the request of Salga, to progressively build capacity within the bureau to provide specialist support for the development and implementation of municipal waste management plans and capacity-building programmes.
The bureaus's final function is to support and advise on the development of waste management plans, tools, instruments, processes, systems, norms and standards, municipal waste management plans and capacity-building programmes.
Hon Speaker, one of the main stumbling blocks in the implementation of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act is the different interpretations that exist in relation to the various existing definitions of waste and the definitions of by-product, recovery, reuse and recycling.
The Bill removes this ambiguity by deleting all definitions of waste and the definition of by-product by replacing it with a new, single, redefined definition of waste based on international precedent; and by providing for a comprehensive list of wastes as a new Schedule 3, which are included in the general definition of waste.
The Minister will further be able to declare new wastes not included in Schedule 3 as waste, or exclude or exempt wastes or waste streams in a prescribed manner. The definitions of recovery, reuse and recycle have also further been redefined to clear up ambiguity.
The Bill also provides for an enabling mechanism for the reuse, recycling and recovery of waste streams in order to promote the recycling economy within a legal framework from the beginning to the end of the waste cycle.
The portfolio committee hopes that these two major sets of amendments will remove the barriers that exist now in terms of the current Act; unleash the economic and job creation potential of the waste industry; and provide for more implementation capacity to realise the full value of the waste sector's contribution to the South African economy.
I ask the House to support the adoption of this Bill.
I shall use the time left to say a few thank-you's - firstly, to the Minister who, as usual, has been exceptionally helpful with information and in all other respects to help the committee move forward with these important processes.
I also want to thank the Director-General of the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms Nosipho Ngcaba, and her staff, particularly Mark Gordon, Alf Wills, Ishaam Abader, Linda Garlipp and Lize McCourt.
I know I have probably forgotten someone in the process, but thanks to all who have done an absolutely wonderful job.
To my long-suffering committee, which I have great respect for, I'm going to miss you when we leave here soon and I can only thank you, once again, for the integrity with which you dealt with matters and the support and respect we've shown one another. We will have a party before we leave where we will say all our goodbyes. I thank you very much. [Applause.]
Thank you, Madam Chair. If one listens to what the hon Minister and the chairperson of our portfolio committee have to say about the current status of waste in our country, then this is not a good story to tell.
Waste statistics in our country at the moment show us that in the region of 108 million tons of waste are being produced. As our population grows and the demand in various sectors increases, the subsequent challenge to manage and control this waste is going to become more and more difficult.
At our current production of waste, we are probably going to look at about 150 million tons of waste by the end of this year.
Of that amount of waste, as the Minister alluded to, only 10% is recycled. This will probably equate to 135 million tons of waste that are not recycled and need to be disposed of.
Waste management in South Africa is still far too heavily reliant on landfill sites as a waste management option. It is imperative that we promote a culture of waste reduction, reuse and recycling in South Africa.
The need to mitigate climate change provides just another reason why we need to reduce the production of waste in South Africa. In the objective of trying to improve waste management, we need to be conscious of the potential for the creation of new job opportunities, particularly in our informal sector, and the Minister alluded to that.
The DA has ensured that our policies relating to waste management and environmental affairs have been included in the Bill and are part of the process, and that these policies will advance society for all our people.
A healthy environment is essential for citizens to seize opportunities to create sustainable livelihoods. A degraded environment not only minimises these opportunities, but it also actively works against any attempts to alleviate the plight of the most vulnerable people in our society.
Ours is a vision of an open-opportunity society in which citizens have the resources, the power and opportunity to develop themselves and pursue their own objectives. [Interjections.] This is a good story that I'm telling, pay attention!
Citizens afflicted by poor health because of living in degraded environments are less likely to be able to seize opportunities and reach their full potential. A healthy environment comprising, most notably, the availability of ample clean air, water management and clean energy, is winning the fight against the burden of disease in our country.
The inclusion of section 34 in the National Environmental Management: Waste Amendment Bill will see the establishment of a waste management bureau to create an institutional mechanism for the implementation of the objectives of the Act, including the facilitation and implementation of waste management plans.
This would include the following: to implement the disbursement of incentives and disincentives and funds derived from waste charges; to identify and promote best practices in the minimisation, reuse, recycling or recovery of waste; to support municipalities in the development and implementation of integrated waste management plans; to support and advise on the development of industry waste management, integrated waste management plans and specialist support for the development of minimisation, reuse, recycling and recovery norms and standards and the building of municipal waste management capacity; and to further ensure capacity at local government level, where the bulk of our country's waste challenges are being faced.
Currently almost 50% of municipal landfill sites do not comply with environmental requirements. If one takes a look at Kokstad, where I come from, the current landfill site was condemned by the department in 2002, because seepage from waste contaminated the Mzintlava River, and 3 800 RDP houses were commissioned to be built adjacent to the landfill site. Imagine having a rubbish dump next to your house!
Today, as I speak to you in this House, this landfill site is still in operation 10 years after it was found to be unsuitable. This is unacceptable and is not a good story. The bureau will continue to monitor the implementation of industry waste and management plans, and it will also monitor and evaluate the impact of incentives and disincentives.
The formation and establishment of the Waste Management Bureau is a progressive step towards ensuring policy and legislative implementation and monitoring; creating capacity within municipalities and, furthermore, creating and identifying an environment for job creation. In theory and on paper, this is great. The challenge arises in the appointments and implementation of this bureau.
South Africa, under the rule of the ANC, has a shocking legacy of failed parastatals created for the right reason, but utilised for the wrong reason, with appointments being made for political qualifications and connections rather than on experience, knowledge and merit.
The term "purpose-fit" comes to mind, and we should be saying fit for purpose. Let us ensure that this bureau does not just become another cadre employment agency. Let us ensure that this bureau is structured to fulfil its intended mandate and is held accountable to address the mountain of waste in our beloved South Africa.
House Chair, I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the chairperson, Adv Johnny de Lange, who has been an immense support and driving force behind the committee and the impactful piece of legislation that we have put together.
To the rest of the members of the committee, my thanks go out to you for putting the people of this country before our own ideals and our own political ideals. I think we have proven in this committee that, as opposition parties, if we come together and we strive to improve the lives of ordinary South Africans, we can achieve that. I thank you. [Applause.]
Hon Minister and Deputy Minister in absentia, Chairperson and hon members, I am speaking on behalf of my colleague, the hon Ms Ferguson, who has leave of absence.
Cope, by and large, supports the Bill and places great emphasis on the need for a cleaner, safer, and well-managed society, as provided for in the National Environmental Management: Waste Amendment Bill.
Cope further supports certain aspects under the Bill with respect to provincial provisions and powers, such as the inclusion of the provincial departments responsible for waste management, in addition to their role in and requirement to compile an industry waste management plan.
Waste management has become part of the current global health management matrix, including areas of job creation, reuse and recycling technology, spatial land planning, research and development programmes and global best practice. Ethiopia was recently recognised for installing technology for capturing methane gas from their landfill sites. Private companies have managed to recycle and create energy that could be connected to the main electricity grid.
This has helped to create employment and skills training, and some of the profits accruing from this industrial development are being used to rehabilitate the lives of the vagrants and poor families that live on landfill sites.
The history of landscape architecture is worth having a look at. There is a better practice or recycling option for certain types of waste that are no longer acceptable at the landfills. This reduces the landfill burden and at the same time encourages the use of the new systems of zero-waste landscaping solutions in global best practices for industrial, hazardous, commercial, domestic and individual waste.
We believe recycling benefits have to do with the energy saved when we recycle. Established garbage-handling firms and machinery are very sophisticated. Successful bidders direct the recycling pathways for various items.
The focus should also be on vigorous, continued education on the various types of waste materials, how society can be informed about participating in waste management awareness projects and how they can turn waste into beneficiation.
Cope believes the Bill opens the way for more attention to be paid to encompassing the broader issues and parameters that impact on health, safety and hygiene; environmental awareness; skills training; rehabilitation of those members of society who work on these sites; decent work and reward programmes; good governance; issues of spatial town planning; new energy sources; and funding for new businesses.
Given some of the highlights mentioned above, Cope believes the introduction of this Bill is a step in the right direction. We support the Bill. [Applause.]
Good afternoon, hon Chair and hon members and guests. Over the past 20 years South Africa has made great strides in addressing the key issues, requirements and problems experienced in waste management.
President Jacob Zuma reminded us that before 1994, South Africa was a very funny country. South Africa is now emerging from a period of unsustainable and inequitable development that not only threatened the livelihoods and degraded the quality of life of a large proportion of the population, but was also responsible for environmental degradation.
In order to move towards development that is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable, all sectors of society have to undergo a number of important transitions.
Hon Chairperson, it is true that one person's waste can now become another person's valuable raw materials. Also, with changing technologies, availability and cost of original input materials, the demand for or need to use recovered waste is changing too.
The gold extraction process used a century ago on the Witwatersrand mines, for example, was relatively inefficient when measured against today's technology. The result is that many, many waste and sand dumps have now become very valuable assets for remining.
The question then is: When is waste really waste? The exact definition of waste is, however, the topic of an ongoing debate because of the increasing global trend to reduce, reuse, rework, recycle and recover so-called waste products.
As the population gradually grows and society progresses, the generation of waste becomes an unavoidable phenomenon. This is further complicated by the complex waste streams fuelled by technology advancements and consumerist lifestyles.
Waste management is central to the improvement of the standard of living. It has the potential to eradicate poverty through the job creation opportunities that exist in waste collection, recycling and other forms of waste management in general.
The Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa stated that over 42 million cubic metres of general waste is generated every year across the country, with the largest proportion coming from Gauteng, at 42%.
In addition, more than 5 million cubic metres of hazardous waste is produced every year, mostly in Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, because of the concentration of mining activities and fertilizer production in these provinces.
The average amount of waste generated per person per day in South Africa is 0,7 kg. This is closer to the average produced in developed countries - namely 0,73 kg in the UK and 0,87 kg in Singapore - than to the average in developing countries, such as 0,3 kg in Nepal.
By far the biggest contributor to the solid-waste stream is mining waste at 72,3%, followed by pulverised fuel ash at 6,7%, agricultural waste at 6,1%, urban waste, 4,5% and sewage sludge, 3,6%.
With regard to waste management since 2009, a remarkable yet gradual policy shift has been made with the introduction of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, Act 59 of 2008.
This Act serves as one of the catalysts aimed at fast-tracking the implementation of integrated waste management systems. It is being implemented through the National Waste Management Strategy, NWMS, which was approved by Cabinet in 2011. Waste management in South Africa faces numerous challenges, including the growing volumes of waste generated due to economic growth, population growth and the complexity of waste streams generated.
The purpose of this Bill is to amend the Act in order to substitute certain definitions, clarify the spheres of government required to compile an integrated waste management plan, and provide for the exclusion of the provincial department responsible for waste management in the compilation of an industry waste management plan. It requires the MEC responsible for waste management to act in concurrence with the Minister when requesting persons to compile and submit industry waste management plans.
Lack of sufficient recycling infrastructure, reclamation systems and insufficient funding mechanisms further add to the complexity of this composite challenge. Central to these challenges is a need for continued co- ordination and sharing of resources amongst the three spheres of government, as well as industry and civil society, in order to make momentous changes in the waste management sector.
We have a good story to tell, following our assessment of unlicensed waste disposal sites in the country. The ANC government supported the licensing of 56 sites in the 2012-13 financial year. The government will support a total of 122 sites, and a further 80 sites will be funded by the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency, Misa. We are looking at eradicating the backlog of unlicensed sites by the end of March 2014.
The waste sector has been identified as one of the critical sectors, with the potential to contribute substantially to the generation of jobs in the green economy. It is in the light of this that the Department of Environmental Affairs is increasingly expanding its programmes in job creation and enterprise development programmes in the waste sector.
As leaders in local government, you are no strangers to the fact that waste management is at the core of service delivery. Therefore it is important that the state improves its capacity to deliver waste services. This is not only to meet service delivery needs, but also to provide dignity and quality of life to our people. [Time expired.]
Madam Deputy Speaker, I am delivering this notable input from the IFP for hon C N Zikalala, MP.
The proper disposal of waste material is an important aspect of looking after our environment, as our country can ill afford to have companies and individuals leaving their waste wherever they choose to. Due to the ever-increasing population and the need to keep up with supply and demand, the amount of waste produced is increasing every year and an effective management system needs to be in place to deal with this increase. Through this amending Bill, a broader definition of what constitutes waste can be dealt with, so that all manner of discarded matter can be properly disposed of, thereby preventing the increase of infections and pollution.
Normally many of our poorer communities find themselves without parks, or resources and areas where children can play safely. In most cases the results are that we see children playing in and around dumping areas, where they are exposed to toxic waste material, which may result in them contracting ulcers, especially on their feet. In the process it could actually cause their death.
Proper disposal of waste, especially waste such as medical and chemical material, is absolutely essential. Due to irresponsible disposal of some waste material, there are plots of land around the country that cannot be used because they are contaminated and cannot be rehabilitated. In the Bill steps are outlined as to how those pieces of land can be redeemed and made habitable for our people; thus also helping us to meet the goals of providing people with land.
The National Waste Management Strategy, which the department is mandated to prepare through this Bill, will help focus our efforts in ensuring that our country does not become a dumping ground. With this single strategy, the need for multiple plans at the provincial level will be done away with, and the MECs in charge of waste management can now read from the same script and work with the same norms and standards when dealing with waste. We cannot continue to allow waste material to be dumped anywhere and everywhere, which will surely put our people's health in danger.
This Bill should be part of an integrated movement towards not only eradicating unnecessary dumping sites, but also clearing the way for land usage and at the same time, dealing with the issues of the jobless, some of whom use these dumping grounds to salvage food. Their plight needs to be addressed.
This Bill should be the first step in assisting other departments to identify these people in order to help them. Our people cannot be allowed to continually eat from the dumping sites. In conclusion, the re-education programmes, which are aimed at encouraging reducing, reusing and recycling - some of which are even noted on our TV programmes targeting our children - are recommended by the IFP. The IFP supports this Bill. Thank you. [Applause.]
Hon Deputy Speaker, hon members and hon Ministers, numerous studies have been undertaken on waste management in South Africa, but most were focused largely on operational management, environmental aspects and the legislative framework.
Very little research has been dedicated to addressing the funding, mechanisms and policies affecting and influencing the financing of waste management projects in municipalities across South Africa.
Firstly, I would like to say to the hon Rogers that the hon Minister and the department have agreed that there is huge waste in South Africa, which is why the government has taken the initiative to undertake the issue of managing waste in South Africa.
You may also criticise the ANC-led government as far as waste is concerned, but you must also tell us how waste is managed in the Western Cape, and not only in Kokstad. I wish you could go to areas like Khayelitsha, Du Noon and Langa, and then you could tell us whether this is the good governance that you are always telling us about in the Western Cape. [Applause.]
The main causes of an increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are known to be human activities, namely the unrelenting population explosion and the drive for industrialisation and urbanisation. The greenhouse gases that contribute the most to global warming are carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, which are all produced during the management and disposal of waste.
The adoption of our democratic Constitution has made government accountable to the people. The Constitution sets out the legislative and executive authority of the different spheres of government within a framework of co- operative governance.
Firstly, the Bill of Rights, Chapter 2 of the Constitution, contains a number of rights relevant to integrated pollution and waste management. To the extent that an Act or particular statutory provision does not uphold these rights, it is unconstitutional. Secondly, the Constitution provides the legal basis for allocating powers to the different spheres of government and is thus relevant to the institutional regulation of integrated pollution and waste management.
This section of the Bill of Rights guarantees the people of South Africa the right to an environment that is not detrimental to human health or wellbeing. It also specifically imposes a duty on the state to promulgate legislation and take other steps to ensure that this right is upheld and that, amongst other things, pollution and ecological degradation are prevented.
The aim of the National Environmental Management: Waste Amendment Bill is to reform the law regulating waste management in order to protect our health and the environment by providing reasonable measures for the prevention of pollution and ecological degradation, and for securing ecologically sustainable development.
In this regard, the Bill provides for institutional arrangements and planning matters; the establishment of a national waste information system; national norms and standards for the management of waste by all tiers of government; and the licensing and control of waste management activities.
The ANC takes great pleasure in addressing Parliament and reporting back on the mandate bestowed upon its members by the people of South Africa. As we approach the third decade of democratic government, we reassure all South Africans that we will spare no effort in realising their dreams.
It is also the resolve of the democratic movement to build a better life for all by assisting in the achievement of the programmes of the ANC-led government. We do so, guided accordingly by the New Growth Path, as well as the National Development Plan.
We have a good story to tell and we are building on our previous successes. In the 2012-13 financial year, the ANC created about 62 860 new work opportunities; 31 277 full-time equivalent jobs; and ensured that a significant number of unemployed women, youth and SMMEs continue to benefit from the ANC-led government's programmes.
We will increase our planned performance in this regard year by year as we aim to make a positive impact and improve the lives of ordinary South Africans.
We funded the domestic-waste-collection pilot project in the Mahikeng Local Municipality. The objectives of this pilot project are to reduce waste backlog, create employment opportunities and encourage the implementation of the three Rs, namely reduce, reuse and recycle.
For this purpose five waste collection trucks were procured, and five contractors and seventy workers were appointed. Training was provided to both contractors and workers in order to capacitate them in areas of waste management and business management.
The waste collection service to 31 856 households has been carried out successfully. Furthermore, through our working on waste programmes, we will continue to provide support to municipalities through the construction of waste-buy-back centres, material recovery facilities and other activities.
The ANC-led government created jobs for the youth in waste projects this year. This initiative assisted municipalities in the delivering of efficient and effective waste services. We continually encourage youth, women and all fellow South Africans to champion waste management in their respective municipalities. In conclusion, let me accentuate the fact that before 1994, waste management was not afforded the priority it warrants as an essential function required to prevent pollution and protect the environment and public health. Consequently, insufficient funds and human resources were allocated to this function by the ANC-led government.
In many instances, this neglect has resulted in a lack of long-term planning, information, appropriate legislation, and lack of capacity to manage waste streams. The ANC-led government believes that waste management is one of the most effective means of protecting South Africa's people and our environment. The ANC supports the Bill. Thank you. [Applause.]
Hon Deputy Speaker, I would like to thank hon members for participating in this debate and for their extensive contributions.
It is indeed true that the reason we are having a debate of such great significance today is as a result of the good work done by the ANC.
I want to remind you that it was just yesterday, 20 years ago, that South Africa did not even have a waste management Act. It is this ANC that brought about the introduction of that Act. [Applause.]
It is this ANC that ensures that on the basis of the lessons that we have learnt, we actually improve and make the necessary changes in this Bill. It is this ANC that in 2012 finalised a Waste Management Strategy that will create many, many jobs and many, many entrepreneurs. Do yourself a favour - go and read that Waste Management Strategy. [Interjections.]
You must always learn from the best. It is not surprising that the DA decides to be so nice and to learn. You will always follow the leader. That's good. Indeed, we are not even surprised that you made those inputs. It is because the leader is leading and you have accepted that. [Applause.] Just continue to learn and you will be wiser.
Thank you very much to Cope for supporting the Bill. We will work with Cope and the IFP to ensure that the people of this country - who do not come only from Port Shepstone, but also from Pitsedisulejang and Rampampaspoort - also have waste management and become employees and entrepreneurs in this field. Thank you very much and continue to learn. [Interjections.]
From you?
Yes, from us indeed. [Interjections.]
We have good professionals who have done the good work in this department. [Interjections.] Sit there and relax! As we appoint this bureau, we will do just as we do on a daily basis. [Laughter.] Relax, relax!
President Zuma said: "We will create jobs." We have created over 4 000 jobs through landfill site management. [Applause.] To date we have already renewed and revived over 400 landfill sites and put them into proper perspective. Thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
Bill read a second time.