Waste Management: New E-Waste Policy and Food Loss Strategy Gazetted

Posted 29 August 2025 Written by Acts Online
Category Environmental Law

Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: The Department of Forestry, Fisheries & the Environment (DFFE) has gazetted the finalized National Policy on the Management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment and the Food Loss and Waste Reduction Strategy.

In terms of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, No. 59 of 2008, these documents transition from draft status to implementation frameworks. The policies are designed to institutionalize circular economy principles and reduce the environmental footprint of specific waste streams.

Electrical and Electronic Waste Management Policy

Originally gazetted in draft form in June 2024 for public comment, the National Policy on the Management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment has now been published for formal implementation. The policy requires stakeholders across the value chain to ensure that electronic waste is diverted from landfills and integrated into recovery cycles.

The policy is underpinned by the government’s commitment to a circular economy, which focuses on:

  • Designing out waste and pollution;
  • Keeping products and materials in use for longer periods; and
  • Regenerating natural systems.

Food Loss and Waste Reduction Strategy

The Food Loss and Waste Reduction Strategy, which was released in draft form in September 2023, has been finalized to provide a regulatory foundation for reducing organic waste. The strategy aims to achieve several key outcomes, including the optimization of food redistribution and the implementation of systematic monitoring of waste levels across the supply chain.

Click here to view the official notice and policy details.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: No direct individual obligations; impact is channelled through professional advisory roles regarding environmental compliance and waste legislation.
  • For your business: Firms operating within the electronics or food sectors must audit their current waste management protocols to ensure alignment with the finalized national strategies and potential future directives.
  • For your clients: Clients in the manufacturing, retail, and hospitality sectors must prepare for enhanced reporting requirements and potential changes to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/waste-management-food-loss-reduction-strategy-gazetted-with-electrical-electronic-equipment-policy

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