South African Ministry re-visits tyre disposal plan

ERJ staff report (DS)

Pretoria, South Africa - South Africa's Government has published for public comment a revised draft Waste Tyre Management Plan through the Recycling and Economic Development Initiative of South Africa (REDISA).

The move follows a disastrous initial launch in November 2011, which was withdrawn in January 2012 following complaints about the consultation process. The new plan, said a statement from the Ministry, is designed to give stakeholders sufficient time and opportunity to make their views and comments known.

Stakeholders are invited to comment and have 30 days to do so.The plan was published on 18 April 2012 by South Africa's Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms Edna Molewa.

The proposal calls for a single, integrated approach to waste tyres throughout the Republic of South Africa, covering all channels and participants and all types of tyre, from mining tyres to solid industrial tyres. There will be a 5-year phase-in period. It will be funded by a waste tyre management fee.

Membership of the plan is to be mandatory for all tyre makers, disposal companies and anyone who handles or processes waste tyres. All members wil have to produce monthly statistics on their tyres.

The plan calls for a significant increase in retreading. In the first year the authorities will survey existing retread operations and attempt a public education programme to promote retreads.

South

Africa produces around 11 million tyres each year, weighing a total of 275,000 tonnes. Currently only 5 percent of the waste tyre are used for grinding or

recycling. Waste tyres do not compact and are therefore not welcome in

landfill sites, waste tyres are either burnt for the small amount of metal

that can be retrieved from them or are piling up in illegal storage sites,

which spans over several very large tracks of land all over the country.

These sites are a fire hazard and provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes which can carry malaria and dengue fever.

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Press release from South African Ministry of Water and Environmental Affairs (Includes details of comment procedures)

Proposal for a waste tyre management plan from South African Ministry of Water and Environmental Affairs