ESTABLISHING AND MANAGING WASTE MINIMISATION CLUBS IN South Africa

The waste minimisation club concept was devised to promote the exchange of experiences between geographically close manufacturers in the implementation of waste minimisation measures. This has proved to be a successful approach, with a number of waste minimisation clubs, or similar initiatives, established in the United Kingdom, India and Australia. Based on this success, it was felt that this could be a feasible method of promoting sustainable industrial development within South Africa. Waste minimisation practices not only promote the efficient use of recourses such as water and energy, but also leads to a reduction in emissions. By forming a club, companies are able to work together to reduce waste and save money through discussions, training and the combined use of outside consultants. The South African Water Research Commission sponsored a three-year project to establish two pilot waste minimisation clubs in the Kwa-Zulu Natal region from 1998 to 2001. Since the establishment of these pilot clubs, there has been a great deal of interest in further clubs being established in other regions of South Africa. Due to these inquiries, a second WRC project was initiated in January 2001 to develop