Used chemical and Industrial packaging - see below and let us have your comments on these HOT TOPICS for safe recovery – let’s start the dialogue NOW?

1. EPR – Extended Producer Responsibility, what happens to your industrial and chemical packaging?? Responsible Packaging Management is best global practice - drums and IBC's are a resource that are too good to waste, which can be safely re-used several times, they should be collected for reprocess and re-use with recycle of material or energy replacement at the end of life.

EPR  is defined in the new South African Waste Act as - - - --

specific provision is made for regulations in S 69 regarding reduction and re-use or recycle of waste packaging especially contaminated hazardous packaging, for organisations to support and contribute to National and sector schemes and for Industry Waste Management Plans and proactive sector schemes to address their waste stream. It also makes provision for the Minister to proclaim priority wastes and impose levy to address specific waste streams.

The Consumer Protection Act also imposes a number of responsibilities on Industry to take measure to inform people, monitor safety, take back, deposits and liabilities for harm caused.

The RPMASA proposes a Life Cycle approach (download from web ??) and encourages companies to join them for a national solution to safe collection, reprocess, re-use, recycle and energy recovery via a network of audited, registered collectors, reconditioners, recyclers and other service providers to positively contribute and impact on footprint and climate change to protect people and the environment .

The RPMSA further proposes companies/ brand owners enter into an MOU with them for use of their Toll free NOT for drinking water Logo, for recovery of used drums via registered Service providers – see attached  to facilitate recovery and address some of their legal obligations – what do you think and when will you sign??

Where and how should self regulating Industry "green levy" be implemented to ensure return, facilitate awareness of and education on best practice, audit of service providers and facilities for compliance and improvement ??

What other suggestions and comments to make this work for the benefit of all?

2. The RPMASA are working with eThekwini on the safe happy drum initiative to replace the sale of contaminated drums to the poor with risks to health and environment and replace them with subsidised easily identifiable ones. Sponsorship through the RPMASA as a registered NPO can give both tax benefits as well as BBBEE points for enterprise development of black women traders – download from web.

What ideas do you have to roll this out nationally to stop the demand for contaminated chemical and pesticide drums??

Let’s start the process – give us your comments on these and other topics you wish to raise on Responsible Packaging Management??