Before waste may be disposed of to a landfill, it must be analysed by a South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) approved laboratory to understand its chemical and physical makeup.

In managing its waste, industry must follow the waste hierarchy principles of prevention, followed by reuse, recycling, recovery, and finally disposal. 

EnviroServ Waste Management’s accredited laboratory analyses waste to reduce risk and minimise its impact on the environment. Having competent laboratory staff is an essential part of managing hazardous waste to achieve these objectives.  

“Our experienced team at our ISO 17025:2017 SANAS accredited centralised laboratory at our Johannesburg head office knows and understands the chemical and physical properties of the waste they are assessing,” said Mahmood Patel, EnviroServ’s National Laboratory Manager. “Waste classification and assessment of waste helps with the evaluation of appropriate waste management strategies.”

Before disposal to landfill, landfill operators must first have sufficient information about a particular waste as this informs the landfill class at which the waste may be treated and disposed of.

In 2013, three sets of waste management regulations were promulgated under the National Environmental Management: Waste Act No. 59 of 2008. One of these, the National Norms and Standards for Disposal of Waste to Landfill, lists various prohibitions regarding types of waste that may not be disposed of to landfill. Certain waste types including liquid waste and whole tyres, are prohibited from being landfilled, along with lamps, batteries and hazardous waste with calorific values above their disposal limits. 

 “In terms of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act 59 of 2008, a person commits an offence if they contravene or fail to comply with regulations,” said Patel. A person convicted of an offence is liable to a fine or to imprisonment.

EnviroServ has a policy that no waste handling activity may be started unless a disposal plan for both non-hazardous and hazardous waste has been drawn up. “By applying this principle, we assist our customers in responsible waste management, following all prevailing waste management legislation and avoiding environmental contamination or an undesired reaction when disposed of with other waste types.”  

Enviroserv offers peace of mind through the provision of containment of hazardous waste, and issues clients with safe disposal certificates.