Many industrial companies currently manage their hazardous waste by dumping in general waste dumps or even in open ground. This practice is an environmental issue globally as well as in South Africa. Legislation introduced in 2009, is aimed at stopping the incorrect and illegal hazardous waste disposal methods that are currently being used, as well as to build up a database of which waste streams come from where and how big they are.

Waste is defined in the Environment Conservation Act No. 73 of 1989 as all undesirable or superfluous by-products, emissions, residues or remainders of any process or activity, whether gaseous, liquid or solid, or a combination of these. Waste can be divided into two categories, general waste and hazardous waste. Hazardous waste is then further divided into nine different classes based on the type of risk involved.

The National Environmental Management Waste Act, 2008 (Act No. 59, 2008) has legislated that All industrial companies must use certified waste disposal companies to dispose of their hazardous waste. Certificates and audits proving how the hazardous waste was disposed is a requirement to ensure that you do not fall foul of the act. If you do not comply with the new Act you could face imprisonment and/or fines of up to R10 million!