Question NW3421 to the Minister of Environmental Affairs
06 October 2015 - NW3421
Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs
(1)Whether, in light of the amendment of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act no. 107 of 1998) which provides for measures to deal with electronic waste as hazardous waste, all industries producing electronic waste, lighting and packaging submitted their plans on how to deal with the specified waste; if not, which producers did not submit their plans; if so, what are the relevant details; and (2) Whether she intends to take legal action against all producers who did not submit their plans as required by the specified amendment; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS REPLIES:
1) In July 2015, the Minister published a gazette which gave published notice of her intention, in terms of section 28(1) read with section 28(5) of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008 (Act No. 59 of 2008), to require the Paper and Packaging Industry, Electrical and Electronic Equipment Industry and Lighting Industry to prepare and submit their industry waste management plans. The notice invited members of the public to submit comments within thirty (30) days. Once all the comments have been considered, the Minister will then publish a
section 28(1) notice which will require the 3 sectors to submit the plans.
2) The Minister has not yet published a section 28(1) notice requiring the sectors to submit an industry waste management plan. Failure to comply with an approved plan is an offence.
END