South Africa’s White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation (2019) recognises the importance of science, technology and innovation (STI) in improving the country’s competitiveness and economic growth. Furthermore, the circular economy is recognised as a source of new growth for South Africa, through sustainable resource management. The waste sector, an important contributor towards a circular economy, is acknowledged by Government as one that provides socio-economic opportunities for the country, through waste prevention and the diversion of waste away from landfill towards value recovery.

The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), in partnership with key public and private sector stakeholders, developed the Waste RDI Roadmap for South Africa to provide strategic direction and to coordinate and manage South Africa’s portfolio investment for the period 2015-2025 in six identified clusters of waste research, development and innovation activity –

• Strategic Planning
• Modelling and Analytics
• Technology Solutions
• Waste Logistics Performance
• Waste and Environment
• Waste and Society

This website provides a platform for sharing information on the activities of the Waste RDI Roadmap with stakeholders in the waste sector and with the National System of Innovation (NSI).