CAPE TOWN, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's waste and renewable energy reforms are transforming environmental policy into a driver of economic growth, according to Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Dion George.
"What many people call waste, we see as wealth," George said in a statement on Monday. "By managing waste and energy wisely, we can create thousands of jobs, attract billions in investment, and build a resilient economy."
The minister highlighted the department's efficiency in processing environmental impact assessments, noting that 324 of 326 applications were finalized within the legal timeframe during 2024/2025.
Renewable energy projects were prioritized and completed within an average of 57 days, he added.
He pointed to new norms that allow solar and battery projects in low- to medium-sensitivity areas to proceed quickly, thereby contributing electricity to the grid and generating employment in construction and maintenance.
According to him, waste management reforms are also showing results. The Extended Producer Responsibility regulations have created more than 24,000 jobs since 2022 and supported 47,000 waste pickers. Initiatives such as the Recycling Enterprise Support Program and e-waste projects are helping to build local enterprises in communities, including Bushbuckridge.
George said the Waste Management Bureau is tackling market failures through improved pricing, logistics, and enforcement, while a blended-finance Waste Infrastructure Fund is being developed to turn disposal into profitable ventures.
"Waste and renewable energy are no longer burdens. They are the raw materials of a new economy. Every recycling enterprise and every solar farm is a step toward inclusive prosperity," he said.
The minister also said reforms, supported by the Treasury and World Bank, are expected to mobilize more than 100 billion rand (about 5.76 billion U.S. dollars) for infrastructure in water, energy, sanitation, and waste.
"When we convert waste into value and speed up renewable projects, we are proving that sustainability creates wealth," he concluded. ■