EPR as a mechanism for integrating the informal sector: An evaluation of post-consumer PET waste management in South Africa

Sammanfattning: This thesis evaluates the performance of an EPR programme for post-consumer PET waste management by PET recycling company (PETCO) in South Africa. It analyses waste management policies of South Africa that are relevant to EPR. Using a set of evaluative tools, the thesis reveals areas for improvement in the EPR scheme. It also identifies areas in informal sector interventions where EPR can contribute in the gradual transition of the sector to formal waste management system. From the findings it is seen that integration of the informal sector into EPR programmes is profitable. This is because it is cheaper than investments in infrastructure and it subsidises the collection costs for producers. Despite the lack of adequate solid waste infrastructure, PETCO is still able to achieve high collection and recycling rates as a result of informal sector activities. Moreover, in informal sector interventions the areas that face the biggest challenges in informal sector interventions are the social aspects that deal with the recognition and acceptance of the informal sector. This is because there are limited policy considerations that address issues in this interface or it could be due to limited availability of information for the evaluation in this thesis. The other area for improvement is in the solid waste management aspects that deal with how the informal sector can be involved in formal solid waste management activities. For both solid waste management and social aspects, the difficulty is in generating practical solutions that are acceptable to stakeholders. The thesis concludes that the ideal situation for EPR and the informal sector in South Africa is that of collaboration. This has the advantage of ensuring that PETCO continues achieving high collection and recycling rates while also ensuring that the welfare of the informal sector is secured and improved.