The lack of available dumping space has led to an increase in illegal dumping; consequently Pikitup spends up to R150m annually collecting illegally dumped waste. The City of Joburg, having recognised the gravity of the problem, is investing approximately R540m to implement waste reduction measures in the City for the period 2007 to 2022. In industry the focus is on waste minimisation in an effort to achieve the goals of the Polokwane Declaration. It is not surprising then that initiatives to minimise the quantity of waste generated and disposed are being given priority by environmental managers across the board According to recent research carried out by the Pollution Research Group waste can reflect between 1% and 4% of a company’s turnover. An excellent example of the real savings that can be made with a marginal focus on waste minimisation is Berg River Textiles, a textiles company in Cape Town that has saved 1% of their annual turnover by implementing waste minimization initiatives in their company. In South Africa, with almost 20 waste minimisation clubs in existence there has been increased awareness of waste minimisation initiatives. Waste minimization clubs are groups of companies that share strategies on how to achieve their waste management strategies with a focus on waste minimization. With 2022 drawing closer, waste minimisation initiatives are being stepped up in an effort to meet the deadlines set in the Polokwane Declaration. With the Waste Management Act coming into action in June 2007, whose responsibility is waste minimisation? Thus far, how important has waste minimisation been in your waste management strategy? At which point does recyclable material become waste? Join Frans Dekker, Chief Landfill Management at the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality in an interactive mini-workshop as he answers these and many more questions at IQPC’s 2nd annual Waste Management Summit from 29-31 May 2007 at the Southern Sun Grayston. Contact Details:Noxi MshumpelaTel: +27 11 669 5106This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.http://www.iqpc.com/za/wastemanagement