Era Conference Drives The Circular Economy Forward With DFFE Leadership Robust Panels And Innovation

ERA NPC, a leading not-for-profit organisation in South Africa, successfully hosted its high-impact Industry and Stakeholders Conference today, Monday, 13 October 2025. Held at the prestigious Iziko South African Museum in Cape Town, the landmark event served as the cornerstone of ERA's annual 7 Days of Eco-Activism campaign, gathering top minds to champion the country’s burgeoning circular economy for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, Lighting and Battery (WEEEL&B).

Keynote Focuses on Compliance and Action

The day’s proceedings were anchored by a powerful keynote presentation led by Mishelle Govender, Chief Director: Hazardous Waste Management and Licensing in the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). Her address provided crucial insight into the regulatory landscape, underscoring the government's commitment to the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework and the critical shift towards zero waste to landfill. Ms. Govender’s leadership in the keynote presentations set a collaborative tone, emphasizing the urgent need for action and public-private partnerships to effectively manage the nation’s rapidly growing e-waste challenge.

Robust Panel Discussions Shape the Agenda

The conference featured two highly anticipated and robust panel discussions that engaged policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators.

• Zero Waste to Landfill: This panel offered practical pathways for high-priority WEEEL&B streams, including batteries, lighting, renewable energy components, ICT, and domestic appliances. Panellists outlined tangible steps for establishing circularity across these sectors, highlighting innovative technologies, policy enablers, and advanced recycling processes necessary to keep valuable resources in the loop and out of landfills.
• Scaling Social Impact: The second discussion focused on the socio-economic promise of the circular economy. Experts debated actionable strategies for leveraging the WEEEL&B sector to create hundreds of new enterprises and drive significant job creation, ensuring the benefits of circularity are inclusive and far-reaching for communities across South Africa.

Solar Innovation on Display

Attendees were treated to a unique exhibition showcasing the future of sustainable engineering and mobility. Outside the main entrance of the Iziko South African Museum, the GeT Metal Group displayed its cutting-edge solar car. The approximately 400kg vehicle was a powerful, tangible example of how innovative design and renewable energy integration are already driving the transition away from fossil fuels, inspiring conference participants with real-world applications of WEEEL&B components.

"Today, we demonstrated that South Africa’s circular economy is not just a policy goal—it is already here, and it is powered by partnership, purpose, and innovation,” said Ashley du Plooy, CEO of ERA. “We are thrilled to have the DFFE and our producers, suppliers and industry peers join ERA NPC to move beyond awareness and into eco-activism.”

The successful conference kicks off the remaining days of ERA’s 7 Days of Eco-Activism (which runs until 17 October 2025), which aims to achieve stronger public-private collaboration, enhanced visibility for ERA’s Producer Members, and increased e-waste collections nationwide.

For more information on the campaign and ERA’s work to promote the collection and responsible recycling of electronic and electrical waste in South Africa, please visit www.eranpc.co.za.