Addendum B: Waste categories and materials covered by the EPR Regulations

Paper, packaging and plastics

Paper, packaging and plastics make up one of the biggest markets for recyclables. The majority of the industrial sector comprises of the food and beverage industry which largely utilises paper packaging as the material of choice. Since 2003, the paper and packaging industry diverted more than 20 million tonnes of paper and paper packaging from landfill, saving 62 million cubic meters of landfill space.1 The market size of the South African paper, packaging and plastics in 2023 is estimated at USD 2.16 billion, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.98% during the forecast period (2023-2028).2 The average recycling rate in the last five years was 70% of paper recovered and 46% of plastic.3 The EPR scheme for paper, packaging and plastics was gazetted on 5 November 2020. The EPR scheme aims for recycling, reuse, recovery and increase collection of products in the post-consumer stage.

EEE

South Africa has a diverse EEE sector that comprises of electrical machinery, household appliances, telecommunication devices and consumer electronics. The country manufactures approximately R 90 billion worth of EEE annually which contributes 4% towards South Africa’s manufacturing output.4 The revenue of the sector is projected to reach USD 2.11 billion by the end of 2023 with a CAGR of 14.59% in the period of 2023-2027.5 The number of users in the electronics market is expected to reach 21.42 million users by 2027. Waste EEE (WEEE) is one of the fastest growing waste streams due to rapidly advancing technology however, the waste stream experiences a low level of recycling, only 6-12% of the total volume of WEEE placed in the market is recycled which is approximately 360 000 tonnes/year.6 The EPR scheme for EEE was gazetted on 5 November 2020 and amended on 5 May 2021. The scheme covers electrical goods, electronic consumer goods, electronic industrial goods and batteries. These are then classified as large, medium and small EEE. The scheme excludes portable batteries and lighting equipment. The EPR scheme set a target to increase collection and recycling by 30% per annum.

Materials:

The above is further categorised:

Lighting

The lighting sector entails the manufacturing, sale and installation of lighting equipment for commercial and household use. South African lighting exports are expected to reach USD 53 million by 2026, an increase from USD 46 million in 2021. The average growth rate of the country’s lighting exports is 7% on a year-to-year basis since 2005. Whereas South African imports are estimated to reach USD 121 million by 2026.7 The EPR scheme for the lighting sector was gazetted on 5 November 2020. The purpose of the EPR is to increase reuse, recycling and recovery of lighting equipment in the post-consumer stage. The scheme proposes a mandatory take-back schemes with a target of reaching 70% collection and up to 95% recovery and recycling by year 5 of the EOR implementation.

Materials:

Portable batteries

Portable batteries refer to any battery or battery pack that is sealed and can be hand-held by an individual, neither an automotive nor industrial battery. There is a wide range of portable batteries on the market to satisfy consumer needs, segmented by capacity, technology and user application. The portable battery market in South Africa is projected to grow at a CAGR of 15% in the period of 2023 to 2028. It is noted that the market demand of portable batteries is increasing due to the energy crisis in South Africa.8 The value of the portable battery sector is approximately ZAR 13 million in 2023. Currently, the recycling rates of portable batteries are low. South Africa recovered only 6-10 tonnes of Li-ion battery waste in 2019.9 Only 20-40% of portable batteries from consumer products are being recovered. The EPR scheme for portable batteries was gazetted on 23 March 2023, promoting the collection, recovery and recycling of portable batteries in the post-consumer stage. The EPR scheme set a target of 76.68% collection, recovery and recycling by year 5 of the EPR implementation.

Materials:

Pesticides

Pesticides are widely used in the agricultural industry to maintain agricultural productivity and human health. South Africa has more than 500 registered pesticides and is one of the largest importers of pesticides in Sub-Saharan Africa. The exact market size of the pesticide sector is not known as it is a segment of the agrochemical industry however, the crop protection market is expected to reach an estimated value of ZAR 6.8 billion in revenue. South Africa does not have a robust pesticide waste management system.10 The EPR scheme for pesticides was gazetted on 23 March 2023 and aims to promote sustainable waste management of pesticides and increase treatment, collection and recycling.

Materials:

Lubricant oils

Lubricant oil is defined as virgin and re-refined mineral and synthetically based lubricants, with or without additives used for heat transfer, load transfer or any other application and can be recovered after use. The South African lubricant market is estimated to produce 360 000 to 400 000 tonnes per annum of lubricant oils, making up 1% of the global volume.11 The lubricant market produced an estimated 382 tonnes in 2021 and is projected to reach 447 tonnes a year by 2026 with a CAGR of 3.16%.12 The current recovery rate of lubricant oils in South Africa is 70%.13 The EPR scheme for lubricant oils was gazetted on 23 March 2023 to promote recovery, recycling and collection of lubricant oils at the post-consumer stage. A collection target of 65% by year 3 was set in the EPR scheme.

Materials: