THE RECYCLING PROCESS:
The Department of Environmental Affairs has identified the waste management hierarchy as the basis of integrated waste management. Recycling is a very important part of the waste management hierarchy which incorporates the following elements:
  • Waste prevention
  • Cleaner production
  • Waste minimisation
  • Re-use
  • Recycling
  • Waste treatment
  • Disposal (as a last resort)
For details: South African Waste Information Centre
ABOUT THE RECYCLING PROCESS:

The recycling process consists of a number of steps. Separating and collecting materials, such as cans, glass, paper, plastics and electrical and electronic waste, which is what we do, is only the first step. It is only when we buy a product made from recycled material, which has been through all the steps, that the recycling process is completed. And then the whole process starts again.

More and more of today's products are being made totally or partially from recycled materials. Common household items that contain recycled materials include:
  • steel food and beverage cans
  • glass bottles and jars
  • newspapers, magazines, paper towels, tissues, cardboard boxes
  • plastic bottles, plastic bags, buckets, dustbins, toys
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RECYCLING:
Recycling process
Why recycle?
What can we recycle?
RESOURCES:
Education
Are you ready to recycle? - education programme on making wise choices about waste for intermediate phase learners
Resource Materials
HOW TO:
Collect Waste for Recycling
Set up a recycling drop-off or buy-back centre
Win with Waste
Working with Waste: recycling of solid waste
USEFUL LINKS:
Local
International
MEMBERS:
List of members