WasteCon2010 is here

With the focus on the theme, "What is your Waste Footprint?" the opening ceremony audience were inspired by the famous words of Michael Jackson, "If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make the change," aptly expressing the importance of personal accountability when it comes to waste management. The conference, which ends today, Thursday, sees the coming together of industry players from across the board to discuss topics covering the technical, policy and recycling aspects of waste management.

The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality's mayoral committee member for environmental development Clr Louis Sibeko when welcoming delegates said, "It is important that stakeholders in the waste management field communicate and work together and WasteCon presents the ideal forum for doing this." Gauteng portfolio committee for agriculture and rural development chairperson Nokuthula Sikhakhane, in her keynote address, highlighted the progress that is being made towards their two-year target in the implementation of the National Environmental Waste Act of 2009.

"While the new legislation presents significant improvements in the waste management arena there are still significant challenges which we are facing as an industry, particularly when it comes to the provision of sufficient funding and the availability of experienced and qualified staff," said Stan Jewaskiewitz, president of the IWMSA. "WasteCon makes it possible for stakeholders to share their challenges and ideas for the resolution of these and other industry issues," he added.

For more information go to www.iwmsa.co.za.