UNTIL now, the Packaging Council of South Africa (PACSA) has been a lone voice in engaging the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) over the impact of the new Waste Act which was assented to by the State President on March 6, 2009. Two important elements of this Act are the introduction of the concept of extended producer responsibility and the power vested in the Minister to order an Industry Waste Management Plan.

As PACSA points out, ‘responsible elements of the packaging industry have for many years been driving voluntary industry initiatives to develop recycling in South Africa and in 2007 the recycling rate for all packaging and paper consumed in this country was 40,8%, which is reasonable considering that there is effectively no separation by households of post-consumer waste’.

However, according to PACSA, this is not considered to be enough by DEAT and we are advised that it’s DEAT’s intention to apply the concept of extended producer responsibility and make the broader packaging and paper industry take more action – including funding – to increase recycling rates dramatically.

This is not confined to the ‘packaging industry’ – the broader printing industry will be
included in this plan.

Section 18 of the Waste Act provides: 

(f) that the producer of a product or class of products identified … must carry out a life cycle assessment in relation to the product, in such manner or in accordance with such standards or procedures as may be prescribed; and

(g) the requirements that must be complied with in respect of the design,
composition or production of a product or packaging, including a requirement that

(i) clean production measures be implemented
 

There’s no doubt that broader environmental legislation is on its way for the printing industry, and PIFSA will be co-operating with PACSA and other role players to ensure that the impact is spread as broadly as possible so that impact on individual companies is minimised.

We are also working on developing Environmental Guidelines for our industry using appropriate practices from other countries. We believe it’s preferable for an industry to be proactive in this regard, rather than have unrealistic standards imposed by the authorities.

• To be eligible, your business must satisfy all of the following criteria:
• Employ less than the full time equivalent of 200 persons and must have a turnover ranging between R40 000 and R10 million, (±U$1 415 000)
• Registered in Africa
• In active operation for at least two years;
• Be resident in Africa;
• Not be a branch of another business.