South Africa builds on the Flemish experience!

  1. Situation
  2. Objectives and starting points
  3. Brief discription of the waste projects
  4. General findings

1.The Situation

On December 14, 2001, the Flemish government approved within the framework of the horizontal policy regarding development cooperation, the following waste projects for South Africa:
− Buy Back Centre in Peri-Urban Durban (KwaZulu Natal);
− Integrated Waste Management in Jozini (KwaZulu Natal);
− Integrated Waste Management in QwaQwa (Free State).

Peri-Urban Durban, Jozini, and QwaQwa are half-urban, half rural areas occupied by unformal settlements, characterized by a very high degree of unemployment (90%), analphabetism, and poverty.

Initially, the project proposals for QwaQwa and Jozini consisted solely of the organization of the collection of household waste, cleaning up litter, and the creation of green zones (Clean and Green). In this way, one hoped to counter pollution and the depressing scenery, plus aware the local population with a concern for their environment. There was the further objective to create work (especially for women) and to fight poverty.

Following field visits and discussions with the municipal councils of the areas in question, the Public Waste Agency of Flanders (OVAM) added extra accents to both proposals, based on their own experiences in Flanders. The projects were further adjusted and upgraded to include a total system of waste management, with the implementation of recycling and small-scale composting, adapted to local conditions (environmental awareness, major unemployment), specific needs and possibilities (for instance, experience in fashioning handmade products from waste, or crafts from waste).

These projects have been carried out under the direction of the Independent Development Trust (IDT).

At the last moment, the projects of the Department for Agriculture and Environmental Affairs (DAEA) of the province KwaZulu Natal were added. This allowed for trying out still more possibilities for selective collection and recycling, in other words, for developing local systems that were tested against concepts used in Flanders. Since it had from the start been the intent to have the results obtained by the projects provide the seeds towards the integration of recycling and composting for other projects and areas, the input of the DAEA meant an even greater guarantee that new concepts and strategies in the provincial and local plans could be included.

The Flemish Office for International Cooperation and Technical Assistance (VVOB) monitored the implementation of the projects on site and consulted on a regular basis with all parties involved.

The OVAM provided technical assistance and guidance to the projects and monitored carefully the actual execution through quarterly progress reports drawn up by VVOB and an annual on-site assessment of the results of the works.

2. Objectives and starting points

The objective of the projects was the development of a well-functioning and integrated waste management system, of workable concepts, and of competency and experience around the selective collecting and recycling of household waste, and small-scale composting at the municipal level.

The results of the projects will have to figure as multiplicators or blueprints for initiating new projects in other similar regions.

The continuity of the projects needs to be guaranteed by the local authorities after finishing the Flemish subsidies and contributions of expert advice.

The waste projects were also strongly oriented towards the generation of employment opportunities and the fight against poverty.

The following starting points were adopted as priorities towards the realization of these objectives:
− The closest possible involvement on the part of both public and private sectors in the execution of the projects in order to achieve an approximation of a bottom-up approach and to create a platform with the local authorities, the private sector, and the people at large.
− The maximum utilization of the local authorities in campaigns that promote environmental awareness about prevention, collection, sorting, and processing of household waste into recyclable products. Municipalities are indeed the bodies that most closely relate to the population.
− Stimulating consultation with all of the parties involved through a strong project and process approach and careful guidance of the learning processes. − Striving for sustainable results through maximal integration of the projects into a wider policy context at the municipal, district, and provincial levels.

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3. Brief description of the waste projects

Buy Back Centre in Peri Urban Durban (KwaZulu Natal)

The Buy Back Centre in Peri Urban Durban is directed by the 'Keep Durban Beautiful Association - KDBA' , under the supervision of the DAEA.

The principle behind a Buy Back Centre is that people (especially women) will get a basic income by the collection of garbage and by taking it to the centre. The centre pays on the spot for the delivered recyclable materials. To guarantee the quality of these recyclable products, training is being provided. Contracts and prices are fixed with the customers. This offers a financial guarantee for the Buy Back Centre as well as for the collectors of the recyclable materials. In the past, the collectors depended on intermediaries who would not offer them any financial guarantees on the value of the materials they had collected. Today, these collectors are certified and recognized by the people and by the municipality. The centre was officially opened in June 2004. The Buy Back Centre currently employs 2 collaborators. Both of them have received the proper training for their job.

Furthermore, a start has been made of fashioning handmade products from the waste. The challenge here is to make these products as attractive as possible so that they can be introduced into the commercial market.

At the Buy Back Centre, demonstrations are given on small-scale gardening. To this end as well, the necessary training was provided.

The project has been integrated into the workings of the 'Keep Durban Beautiful Association' (KDBA), which provides the future support for the project, including further training. KDBA operates a second location near Durban, aiming to open a similar Buy Back Centre. The Buy Back Centre at Peri Urban Durban has served as a model for the project in QwaQwa.

The project was finished on 31 December 2004.

Integrated Waste Management Systems in QwaQwa (Free State) and Jozini (KwaZulu Natal)

In the boroughs of QwaQwa and Jozini, the project 'Clean and Green' was started in the first year. The project was run under the direction of IDT and consisted of the collection of garbage, cleaning up litter, planting green belts, and creating an environmental awareness in people's minds. The second year foresaw the development of an integrated waste management system, including recycling and composting processes, adapted to the local conditions (environmental awareness, major unemployment), own needs and possibilities.

Information and sensitizing campaigns were started, using the local radio station, and also introduced into schools. Garbage bins were made available in order to cut down on litter. The workers were trained in sorting waste products and small-scale composting.

Following consultation, the project in QwaQwa was scaled back to the basic concept of a Buy Back Centre. In addition to the selecting and marketing of recyclable materials, a start has been made with the composting of the collected organic biological wastes. The compost is being used in small-scale gardening at the centre.

In order to achieve the highest possible operating efficiency for the centre, a roofed storage place was constructed to the side of the sorting area, this to temporarily store the recyclable materials, a press machine for paper and cardboard waste, and metals have been purchased as well as an electronic weigh scale for the recording of the incoming and outgoing waste products. Personnel employed in this area will receive further training in these tasks.

In Jozini, IDT, in partnership with DAEA, used existing buildings to start with the development of a recycling centre where the collected waste products are being sorted, the organic biological waste is composted, and objects are created from the waste products.

Aankondigingsbord  van het Jozini Recycling Centre

These buildings have been renovated and feature the required sanitary facilities, lighting, and ventilation in the sorting area, and catchments for the rainfall. At the compositing site, facilities have been provided to catch liquid leakage.

Paper and cardboard, plastics, and metals are being selected, pressed, and marketed. An electronic weigh scale for recording the incoming and outgoing wastes has been purchased, as well as a slicer to reduce the incoming materials for composting. By using the droppings of chickens of own stock, the composition of the compost has been improved. The compost is being used for small-scale gardening at the centre. The production and use of compost is meant to further expand the still limited experience in this area.

The Jozini Recycling Centre provides work for a number of craftworkers that are fashioning handmade products from waste products, such as handbags, table mats, place mats, hats, fruit serving plates, and the like...Here also, the challenge is to make these products as attractive as possible so that they can actually enter the commercial market.

The Jozini Recycling Centre is right now fully operational and figures as an example for other projects.

In order to increase the input of recyclable materials and to ensure the viability of the Jozini Recycling Centre, the intention is to expand the centre by five satellite Buy Back Centres. The recyclable materials that are collected in these five additional centres will be shipped to the Jozini Recycling Centre for further sorting and pressing into bales.

The municipality is including in its budget 2005 financial support for the centre. The Jozini Recycling Centre has been incorporated into the Integrated Waste Management Plan of the District, which likewise is scheduling financial support for the centre. The concept has been introduced into the provincial waste product plans.

The management of the Buy Back Centre in QwaQwa, as well as of the Jozini Recycling Centre, has been consolidated in two separate Trusts. The Trust is, amongst others, responsible for the centre's financial and personnel management, the strategic planning, and the search for new activities and markets. Because of this, the projects are anchored into the communal activities and the continuity ensured. Both projects were finished on 31 March 2005.

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Lokale bevolking die het ingezamelde afval sorteert

4. General findings

These findings flow out of the accurate monitoring of the execution of the projects and are based on the quarterly progress reports and an annual assessment of the results by the VVOB, the on-site field visits by the VVOB together with the OVAM, the numerous consulting sessions with all parties involved, and ongoing feedback on the progress of the projects.

Partnership, knowledge building, and support

Constant consulting amongst all parties involved during the execution of the projects has expanded the available expertise. Knowledge about collecting, recycling, composting, and marketing of waste products, plus consulting, reaching consensus with respect for each other, and an integrated and process-based approach have increased.

The projects were gradually undertaken by all parties involved in the process. 

Small-scale, a practical approach, and notable results

It has never been the objective to impose the Flemish policy for waste products. The OVAM has monitored the projects and provided upgrading guidance, using her experience with an integrated waste product policy. The local situation was taken into account at all times - less waste and a different composition. The solutions often lay with small things instead of with grandiosely conceived investments.

The OVAM placed permanent emphasis on keeping everything small-scale, on realistic and sustainable strategies, and on a market and sales approach both for the recycling and the composting aspects. In this respect also, an all-round consensus was gradually reached amongst all of the parties involved.

There was constant emphasis on the importance of patent results in the field. 

Blueprint for other projects

The concept of the Buy Back Centre in Peri Urban Durban will find implementation in other backward regions near Durban. In order to increase the supply of recyclable materials and to heighten the viability of the Jozini Recycling Centre, the centre will be expanded by the addition of five satellite Buy Back Centres, all based on the concept of the Buy Back Centre in Peri Urban Durban.

The concepts developed during the project will be further applied to and integrated into a broader strategy about the collecting and processing of household waste.

Employment, environment, and self-worth

The projects have created some 50 jobs and generated revenues from the sale of the recyclable materials, the crafts from waste and from vegetables cultivated on the compost that was produced.

Campaigns to sensitize and inform the public have made people conscious of the fact that waste has value. Illegal dumping has diminished substantially and a large reduction in litter is noticeable. A better and cleaner environment increases the attractiveness of the regions and people's respect for the areas.

The projects have contributed to a greater environment-conscious behavior on the part of the people and generated a heightened sense of self-worth in both the workers and the local population.

Project and process approach 

Aside from a project approach with strict project cycle, from the start attention was paid as well to the process approach. A maximum effort was made to join in the current processes such as the drawing up of plans for waste products at the local, district, and provincial levels and, likewise, in the entire local development.

Both the project and the process approach have gradually become integrated into one another.

Creativity, flexibility, integration into a broader policy framework, and sustainability

Consultation with all parties involved, taking into account their rhythm and knowledge, the real needs in the field, flexibility, room for adaptation and upgrading processes have ensured the projects' sustainable integration into the local policies.

The local authorities took over the projects and have integrated them into a broader general waste policy. The needed financial provisions have been established in order to guarantee the projects' sustainability for the future.

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