17 Sep 2024

Northam, undertook an air quality offset programme in Smashblock, a community near the Zondereinde Smelter. The goal of the air quality offset programme is to reduce PM2.5 and PM10 emissions in Smashblock.

Additionally, the programme aims to ensure a positive impact on the community’s quality of life. One of the critical interventions developed to address ambient air quality is a waste programme, which aims to mitigate air quality issues arising from waste burning at Smashblock.

Waste intervention programme

The waste collection, sorting and disposal was rolled out in F2023. Key components include:

  • Servicing 3 600 stands
  • (over 7 000 households)
  • Using existing waste pickers
  • Recruiting project personnel from
  • Smashblock to maximise local job creation
  • Implementing four waste sorting facilities
Taskforce nature image [photo]

Waste sorting facilities commissioned in F2024

Waste Sorting Facility 1

  • Enrolled 613 households
  • Engaged 7 waste collectors
  • Collected 77.6 tonnes of waste (36% recyclable, 35% non-recyclable, 13% sanitary, 16% organic)

Waste Sorting Facility 2

  • Enrolled 706 households
  • Engaged 4 waste collectors
  • Collected 46.9 tonnes of waste (42% recyclable, 34% non-recyclable, 7% sanitary, 17% organic)

Implementation of Waste Sorting Facility 3 (500 household) has commenced and will be fully operational by F2025. Implementation of Waste Sorting Facility 4 (800 households) will commence in F2025 with full implementation targeted for end F2025.