South Africa signals DRS introduction in draft national waste strategy
Key takeaways
- South Africa’s National Waste Management Strategy 2026 aims to strengthen EPR performance.
- The draft strategy is set to introduce a DRS for non-performing EPR products or packaging streams where targets are not being achieved.
- The government emphasizes the role of PROs like Polyco in enhancing recycling efforts and supporting waste pickers.
South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has unveiled the draft National Waste Management Strategy 2026, suggesting plans to introduce a DRS for underperforming EPR products or packaging streams.
In a keynote address by Willie Aucamp, minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, at the Polyco 2026 Strategic Overview conference, the introduction of a DRS was acknowledged as strengthening accountability, incentivizing higher collection rates, and ensuring environmental benefits.
Aucamp says: “The promulgation of the EPR over the past five years marked a significant milestone in formally embedding circular economy principles within South Africa’s waste sector. This transition promotes material efficiency, environmental protection, inclusive job creation, and continuous improvement across the sector.”
“While progress has been recorded, the department expects continued improvement in collection and recycling outcomes to ensure that annual targets are consistently met or exceeded across all packaging categories.”
Assisting producers meeting compliance
Aucamp encourages Polyco, a producer responsibility organization (PRO) progressing the collection and recycling of plastic packaging, to sustain and enhance its performance to avoid the need for more stringent regulatory interventions.
“Continuous engagement between the department, PROs, and municipalities has yielded clear benefits,” says the minister.
“Memoranda of understanding between PROs and municipalities provide an important mechanism to formalize collaboration and enhance service delivery in waste management and recycling. We encourage continued and expanded cooperation at municipal level, particularly in under-resourced communities.”
Aucamp notes the department views the initiatives that benefit waste pickers as a key area for ongoing partnership with Polyco.
“Improving working conditions, promoting inclusion within the waste management value chain, and supporting livelihoods in the informal waste sector remain key government priorities.”
South Africa has been advancing its waste management efforts. Last year, the Plastic Reboot Project was launched in the country to tackle the challenges posed by packaging waste in the F&B sector.
