Share

SA moots new tyre recycling rules

Cape Town - A waste tyre management plan to be rolled out later this year will create a “sustainable recycling industry” to deal with a major waste problem, the recycling initiative said on Monday.

Recycling and Economic Development Initiative of South Africa (Redisa) said the Integrated Industry Waste Tyre Management Plan, which had been approved by Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa, would create jobs and foster small and medium-sized businesses throughout the country.

“The new law is intended not only to support the creation of a sustainable recycling industry to deal with a major and problematic waste product but also to create jobs and foster small and medium sized businesses in communities throughout the country,” the group said.

All involved in the industry have to register by 31 January 2012.

Redisa said the income generated from a rand-per-kilo levy charged to tyre manufacturers and importers would be used to help stimulate start-up businesses around the collection, transportation, storage and recycling of the waste.

It would also be used for research and development, training, monitoring and overall community upliftment. The South African tyre industry produces more than 10 million scrap tyres a year.

According to Redisa it is estimated that between 60 and 100 million scrap tyres are stockpiled in South Africa.

“Waste tyres pose an environmental problem, both as pollutants and as breeding grounds for mosquitoes and vermin. However, there is as yet no effective technology for disposing of tyres in an environmentally friendly yet economically viable way," it said.

“The need for research and development, collection and recycling is therefore imperative. The opportunity for generating jobs and new industry businesses aligned to the recycling of waste tyres is of paramount importance.”

The group said the R2.30 per kilogram levy charged to the manufacturer would effectively subsidise the collection and recycling processes.

By giving the tyres a value for recycling, entrepreneurs would be able to build a business out of collecting tyres from their community and delivering them to a collection point.
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.90
+0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.85
+0.2%
Rand - Euro
20.39
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.31
+0.2%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+0.2%
Platinum
908.05
0.0%
Palladium
1,014.94
0.0%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent Crude
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders