An Analysis of Industrial Symbiosis as a Strategic Tool for Integrated Waste Management Plans (IWMPS) in South Africa – A Case Study of Mpumalanga Province

Abstract

Waste management is a global environmental crisis that is often overlooked on the environmental agenda. For an emerging country like South Africa, the impacts of poor waste management are more severe when compared to the developed world. A systems-oriented and eco-innovative concept, such as industrial symbiosis, offers environmental, social and economic benefits when waste exchange and recycling are encouraged among industry players. Low levels of uptake of the industrial symbiosis process cripples its success and slows the achievement of overall sustainable waste management. Mpumalanga province offers a complex environment to study the relationship between industrial symbiosis and its role in decision-making tools such as integrated waste management plans (IWMPs). This article explores the integrated waste management planning regulatory environment in South Africa and argues for the inclusion of industrial symbiosis as an integrated waste management implementation instrument. Through content and document analysis, this article seeks to investigate waste legislation, policy and strategy while scrutinising industrial symbiosis literature. The article draws from global literature on industrial symbiosis and encourages heightened participation and buy-in from the government, through its inclusion in integrated waste management plans and finally, integrated development plans.