Opportunities and constraints to waste innovation
As part of the development of the 10-year Waste RDI Roadmap, an assessment was made of the current and required institutional, legislative and financial mechanisms that would support a national waste innovation programme.
This sub-activity focused on:
- An institutional assessment of waste innovation
- Review of current support mechanisms
- Identification of financial and legal opportunities & constraints to waste innovation
The above information was gathered by means of interviews with key stakeholders in the sector between April – August 2012.
» Report: Current and required institutional mechanisms to support waste innovation
Human Capital Development (HCD)
Waste management in South Africa is becoming more technologically demanding, the business more competitive and with increasing costs and legislative requirements, profit margins smaller. Many municipalities are struggling to fulfil their waste management obligations of city cleansing, waste collection and safe disposal. Appropriate skills within the South African public and private waste sectors remains an urgent priority.
HCD Review
To support the development of national waste capacity, an assessment was made of current and required HCD programmes that would support a national waste innovation programme. This involved interviews and participatory workshops with key stakeholders in the sector, which ran from April to August 2012.
» Workshop report – July 2012
» Workshop report – August 2012
The project looked at the HCD modalities that the DSI has available to it, to support skills development in the waste sector, e.g. research programmes, Research Chairs, studentships, Centres of Excellence, etc.
HCD Audit
The review of waste management courses and training programmes at tertiary level in South Africa (as at 2012) was required to inform further activities in support of human capital development.