Assessment of waste management in the South African chemical industry

Abstract: The Chemical industry are beneficial in improving human wellbeing by providing employment, better quality health, productive lifestyle and nutrition opportunities. However, the pollution from the industry has been associated with negative impacts on health and safety of humans, threatening the sustainability of the environment. Waste from the Chemical industry poses a significant threat to humans and environment when management is improper. Chemical waste generation and its management have been a serious problem ever since human habitation. Minimizing of waste and reuse are main issues relating to the management of chemical waste. South Africa backs the hierarchy of waste by encouraging production processes that are cleaner, minimizing waste, reusing, recycling and treating waste, making disposal the last option for the management of waste. Stringent hazardous or chemical waste control and management are required to avoid harm or damage to the environment and humans, while reducing liabilities. This paper gives an overview of the waste management of chemical waste in South Africa