On Monday 16 September, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management Alderman Grant Twigg welcomed guests from across the globe to the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) Conference 2024: Waste to Wealth being held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre this week. It is the first time the conference is being held on African soil.
The City of Cape Town is a proud partner of this event which is bringing together waste professionals and experts from around the globe for constructive dialogues that encourage scientific and technical advancement in sustainable solid waste management.
The Urban Waste Management Directorate is also participating in the industry dialogues and discussions, sharing its knowledge and insights and learning from professionals who can help the City overcome its local challenges in more effective and affordable ways.
Alderman Twigg thanked the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA)’s organising committee for choosing Cape Town as a venue for this very important conversation on waste.
‘This is the first time the conference is held on African soil and in Cape Town specifically. As we gather here, the world is gripped by a planetary crisis: pollution and waste. The impacts are playing out right in front of us as the vast amount of waste our economies generate is exasperating this challenge. Our cities are expanding daily and our societies are becoming more consumer-oriented. In between the two positive situations, the volume of waste we are generating is also reaching surprising quantities.
‘Now the question arises: what should be done to manage the waste? I can confidently answer. It’s the three golden rules of waste management: reduce, reuse, and recycle. The City of Cape Town is highly fixated with the three golden rules of waste management- reduce, reuse, and recycle,’ he said.
Alderman Twigg said the City was looking forward to the learnings related to:
∙ Organic waste diversion
∙ Separation at source
∙ Innovation and Technology
∙ Waste as an economy and SMME development
∙ Circular Economy Models
∙ Education and Awareness etc.
Tackling the future of waste is a collaborative effort.
‘Important to note is that waste management is not a task only for government or environmental agencies. It requires the active participation of every individual in our communities. Awareness campaigns, educational initiatives, and empowering citizens to reduce, reuse, and recycle can make a big difference in the area of waste management. Actions such as separating waste at the source and practising mindful consumption can make a huge difference when adopted together.
‘Moreover, leveraging technological advancements such as innovations in waste-to-energy technologies, recycling processes, and the development of eco-friendly materials is important in reducing the environmental impact of our waste. Collaborations between governments, industries, and researchers must be done to invest in and implement the technologies on a large scale.
‘Waste management is not just a challenge; it is an opportunity for transformation into positivity. It is a chance to rethink our relationship with the environment. In the words of Albert Einstein “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”
‘I hope the discussions and learnings during this conference will inspire those who attend, including our City team, to continue to drive the transformation of waste management to benefit our environment,’ said Alderman Twigg.
Visit: https://iswa2024.org/
