Government withdraws ‘flawed' waste-tyre management plan for full review

Mail & Guardian

2 days ago

Environment Minister Dion George. (OJ Koloti, Gallo Images)
Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister
The withdrawal of approval for the plan, which was published in the
Government Gazette
on 20 March last year, would enable the department 'to revisit the plan with a fine-tooth comb', the
The minister's decision reflects his 'commitment to thoroughly reviewing and strengthening environmental policies as a newly appointed leader', it added.
In September, the
In its court documents Redisa, which managed waste tyres from 2013 to 2017, said the plan had unachievable and unrealistic targets; lacked any budgetary detail; failed to use the available information and projections and was created and approved in a procedurally flawed manner.
Redisa has welcomed George's decision after 'publicly calling for this materially flawed and self-defeating plan to be scrapped'.
The environment department said that, since taking office, the minister had prioritised a 'meticulous evaluation' of decisions made by previous administrations.
'After careful consideration, he [George] has opted to withdraw the (plan) approval to allow for a detailed reassessment, ensuring the plan fully aligns with the department's objectives of sustainable waste management and robust governance.'
George said that, while the plan was developed through a prolonged and consultative process, 'concerns have been raised regarding its alignment with current sector realities and policy intent'.
'The withdrawal enables a focused review to ensure the final plan is implementable, transparent and fully responsive to the operational and governance complexities facing the sector.'
The thorough review of the plan will involve renewed stakeholder engagement and the appointment of an organ of state, probably the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, to refine it, addressing areas such as data accuracy and sector capacity.
The minister said his goal was to deliver a waste-tyre management plan that is practical, inclusive and futureproof. 'This withdrawal is a proactive step to ensure we get it right, building a stronger foundation for the waste-tyre industry and environmental justice.'
Existing interim arrangements for waste-tyre collection and processing would continue, ensuring no disruption to the sector, the department said. It noted that engagements with the treasury were under way to secure a sustainable funding model while further details on the review process would be shared with stakeholders in due course.
Redisa was responsible for the implementation of a waste-tyre recycling scheme from 2012 — the only one of its kind in the country — which entailed the creation and management of a national network for collecting discarded tyres, storing them and delivering them to recyclers for processing.
This was envisaged as the beginning of a tyre recycling industry and the foundation of secondary industries for the use of products created by recyclers.
In September 2017, Redisa and its management arm, Kusaga Taka Consulting, were placed in final liquidation, based on a request from former environmental affairs minister Edna Molewa. In January 2019, the supreme court of appeal overturned the liquidation order.
Redisa said that George 'has made a rational decision' and 'should be commended for taking the right action to resolve an issue he inherited'. It was committed to cooperating fully with all parties and would request a meeting with the minister 'to discuss how best to manage the waste-tyre crisis in the country'.
The waste-tyre management plan, it maintained, was never going to be an effective solution to South Africa's crisis. The country produces at least 253 000 tonnes of waste tyres a year, which was being 'mismanaged' by the waste bureau under the department, with depots filling up and becoming fire hazards, while tyre dumping was increasing.
'Apart from the public health threats caused by the uniquely toxic character of waste-tyre pollution, the mismanagement is also a lost opportunity for the South African economy, because, through a well-coordinated recycling process, economic development and job creation can be strengthened considerably,' it said.
The minister's decision was 'good news, not just for the environment, but also for job creation through recycling in South Africa', it said, adding that it was eager to work with government departments and other stakeholders to make sure the waste-tyre crisis is addressed.
It said that, during its tenure, it had built 22 tyre collection centres, employed more than 3 000 people, created 226 small waste enterprises, offset 59 000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, empowered unskilled workers and stimulated emerging entrepreneurs.
'Redisa has the technical and policy experience to play a significant role in turning the waste-tyre crisis into a viable form of economic empowerment because it has done this before.'