eWASA News – 18 Feb 22

In response to the call made by the Basel Action Network (BAN), The Last Beach Cleanup and 50 other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in their Global Shipping Lines Campaign, the world’s 3rd largest Shipping Line’s Chairman and CEO Rodolphe Saadé announced last week that effective June 1st of 2022 it will no longer be allowing its ships to transport plastic waste.

In a statement released following the One Ocean Summit, organized by French President Emmanuel Macron, the shipping giant with 566 ships in its fleet said the decision was made “heeding the urgent calls made by certain NGOs” and “will prevent this type of waste from being exported to destinations where sorting, recycling or recovery cannot be assured.”

The Basel Action Network and The Last Beach Cleanup launched its Shipping Lines Campaign one year ago, pointedly calling on the world’s largest shipping lines, Hapag-Lloyd (Germany) Maersk (Denmark), CMA CGM (France), MSC (Switzerland), Hamburg Sud (Germany) Hyundai Merchant Marine (Korea), Evergreen (Taiwan), COSCO (China), and Orient Shipping (Jordan), to “prove their sustainability commitments and keep their promises to protect the marine and terrestrial environment by pledging not to transport plastic waste to countries that are ill-equipped to handle it in an environmentally sound manner.”

Canon South Africa’s regional sustainability compliance and certification manager Isabella Daly has been recognised as one of the top 14 female leaders from South Africa at the World Women Leadership Congress and Awards (WWLC).

Isabella Daly, regional sustainability compliance and certification manager at Canon South Africa. | Source: Supplied.Isabella Daly, regional sustainability compliance and certification manager at Canon South Africa. | Source: Supplied.

The awards honour the strategic and influential roles various women play in the development of the modern economy, technology and administrative methodologies. Daly shares the WWLC accolade alongside other influential powerhouses such as Mamor Capital CEO Mamokete Ramathe and Elle International CEO Chelsea Hornby.

“I feel very honoured to have received such an award, especially since sustainability is a challenging field and quite often misunderstood by businesses. So, it’s humbling to know that bodies like the WWLC recognise and seek out the individuals in this field who stand their ground and let their voices be heard,” Daly says. Read more here.

As you are aware eWASA have been communicating with DFFE over the past four months, both in writing as well as telephonically, regarding the finalization of the EPR fee structure.

The latest update as of yesterday is that DFFE and the Department of Finance have been meeting this year on the matter.

• They expect to have feedback before the end of this month on the matter.
• Whereafter they will either “concur” with the EPR fee structure submitted by PRO’s or alternatively submit comments/suggestions on proposed revisions.
• This is expected to happen before month-end (February).
• We have also suggested that a meeting be held with DFFE and all registered PRO’s to discuss the impact on the industry as a result of the delay in finalization of the EPR fee and the knock-on effect it will have on targets, budget submission, infrastructure etc.
• This meeting should also be held before the end of the month.

In case you missed it last week:

As per EPR regulations put in place, all OEMs/Producers have to comply with the following regulations in terms of the amended ACT:

1. Register with a PRO and
2. Pay the EPR Fee in the following sectors: Lighting Sector, EEE, Packaging and
3. Submit product POM forecasts across all three waste streams for the 14 months (Nov 21 to Dec 22) to the PRO

The PRO has to create a network detailing all the recyclers and collectors countrywide that can uplift all the e-waste that have been dropped off, treat it accordingly and manage and report in terms of the regulations governing e-waste.

To help us create and collate an accurate and detailed database, please complete the attached questionnaire and return it to us by no later than Wednesday, 16 February 2022. This applies to all branches/dealerships/stores etc.

Job Opportunity: Urban Mining Business Manager – click here for the job description and how to apply.