Publications
Partners
The Kouga Municipality has teamed up with the e-Waste Association of South Africa (eWASA) to amplify electronic waste (e-waste) recycling in the region, representing a groundbreaking initiative for the municipality.
Incorporating the assessment of vital infrastructure, equipment, and resources for efficient waste management projects, the R1.67 million initiative guided by the principles of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), not only aims at enhancing waste collection and recycling, but it also seeks to generate local employment opportunities.
“We are delighted to provide an e-waste service for the first time in Kouga,” said Kouga executive mayor, Hattingh Bornman.
eWASA contributed three fully equipped e-waste recycling containers for the cause.
These 40-foot containers, furnished with recycling tools and storage facilities, are stationed at two designated drop-off sites (Paradise Beach and St Francis Bay) and at the Humansdorp Landfill Site.
“Here Small, Medium, and Macro Enterprises (SMMEs), as designated by the municipality, will process and accept e-waste, subsequently selling the recovered components to downstream recyclers,” said Bornman.
In addition, residents can also send a message to crudolph@kouga.gov.za for additional information or to arrange for the collection of e-waste.
“eWASA’s engagement goes beyond infrastructure support, extending to comprehensive training and mentorship programmes aimed at ensuring the success of these SMMEs,” said Bornman.
“Additionally, eWASA is further enhancing the partnership by providing the municipality with personal protective equipment (PPE), bulk bags, and waste picker trolleys.
“These resources are intended to augment the efforts of SMMEs and waste reclaimers, working in tandem with the municipality, ultimately resulting in elevated recycling rates and reduction in waste directed to landfill sites.”
He said that the municipality urges residents to be active participants in improving their environment, and to drop off all unwanted electronic items at one of the three dedicated e-waste sites in Kouga.
Additional information
The EPR Waste Association of South Africa (eWASA) is a registered Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) for the Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE), Lighting and Paper and Packaging and Portable Batteries Sectors.
eWASA is a not-for-profit organisation committed to delivering cost-effective compliance on behalf of their producer members.
eWASA represents some of the largest producers within the household electrical and electronic industry who have a producer responsibility as mandated by the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Regulations of November 2020.
These regulations came into effect on 5 May 2021 and stipulate that producers must organise and finance their products’ environmental management at their end of life.
eWASA was formed in 2008 to manage the establishment of a sustainable, environmentally sound e-waste management system for the country.
Since then they have been working with manufacturers, vendors, and distributors of electronic and electrical goods and e-waste handlers (including refurbishers, dismantlers and recyclers) to effectively manage e-waste, lighting, and paper and packaging waste.
As an existing registered PRO, eWASA (in consultation with producers) developed and submitted an industry-compliant scheme on their behalf.
eWASA has been the EPR Scheme of choice for many producers in South Africa across all sectors and is also a Level 2 BBBEE contributor.
