CHANGES IN LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR SORTING, SHREDDING, GRINDING, CRUSHING, SCREENING OR BAILING OF GENERAL WASTE
| Title | Government Gazette Notice | Commencing Date |
| Amendment to the list of waste management activities that have, or are likely to have, a detrimental effect on the environment | GN 1094 in GG 41175 of 11 October 2017 | 11 October 2017 |
| National norms and standards for the sorting, shredding, grinding, crushing, screening or baling of general waste | GN 1093 in GG 41175 of 11 October 2017 | 11 October 2017 |
The list of waste management activities has been amended as follow:
- Removal of the following activity from Category A: The sorting, shredding, grinding, crushing, screening or bailing of general waste at a facility that has an operational area in excess of 1000m2.
- Inclusion of the following activity in Category C: The sorting, shredding, grinding, crushing, screening or bailing of general waste at a waste facility that has an operational area that is 1000m2 and more.
Norms and Standards for the sorting, shredding, grinding, crushing, screening or baling of general waste have also been published. The purpose of these Norms and Standards is to provide a uniform national approach relating to the management of waste facilities that sort, shred, grind, crush, screen, chip or bale general waste. These Norms and Standards apply to a waste facility that has an operational area that is 1000m2 and more. A waste facility that is less than 1000m2 must register with the competent authority and comply with the principle of duty of care as contained in Section 28 of the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 and Section 16(1) and 16(3) of the National Environmental Management Waste Act 59 of 2008.
Certain requirements pertaining to registration, locality, construction, design, management and decommissioning of relevant waste facilities are also included in these Norms and Standards.
So what for my operation?
Change in waste management licence requirements
Prior to 11 October 2017 a waste management licence was required for the sorting, shredding, grinding, crushing, screening or bailing of general waste at a facility that has an operational area in excess of 1000m2. The list of waste management activities has now been amended by removal of this activity and only requiring compliance with the Norms and Standards for the sorting, shredding, grinding, crushing, screening or baling of general waste as published in GN 1093 of 11 October 2017 for the sorting, shredding, grinding, crushing, screening or baling of general waste at a waste facility that has an operational area that is 1000 m2 and more.
If an application for a waste management licence is pending:
A person who submitted an application for a waste management licence for a waste management activity which is no longer listed in Category A or B but listed in Category C of this Schedule on the date of coming into effect of this Notice, must consider such an application for that activity withdrawn, and must comply with the requirements or standards for that waste management activity.
New waste facilities:
If you are planning to construct a waste facility to sort, shred, grind, crush, screen, chip or bale general waste, you should ensure compliance with these Norms and Standards prior to commencing with such construction. Ensure that you adhere to the construction and design requirements, as well as registration and all other management requirements. A new waste facility must be registered with the competent authority in accordance with these Norms and Standards within 90 days prior to any construction taking place.
Existing waste facilities:
Existing waste facilities must register with the competent authority in accordance with these Norms and Standards within 90 days of publication of these Norms and Standards in the Government Gazette. A waste facility that is already registered in terms of the National Norms and Standards for Storage of Waste and is sorting, shredding, grinding, crushing, screening or baling general waste must not re-register, but must comply with these Norms and Standards from the date of publication of these Norms and Standards in the Government Gazette. Compliance with these Norms and Standards must be ensured within 90 days after such registration.
What is Shangoni’s approach?
Shangoni has expertise in waste management and has assisted various clients to compile waste management strategies and implement legal requirements on site. Shangoni can assist you in registering your waste facility, as well as with the implementation of all the legal requirements included in these Norms and Standards. Should you require any assistance, contact Jan Nel at jan@shangoni.co.za.
