The City of Johannesburg’s Environmental and Infrastructure Services Department (EISD) is reviewing the Waste Management By-Law as part of its commitment to strengthen regulation, protect public health and the environment, and advance recycling and reuse initiatives.
Public participation sessions are taking place across the city during August and September 2025, led by the Speaker’s Office and the MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services Department, Cllr Jack Sekwaila. While the sessions are progressing well, residents, businesses, and stakeholders still have until 30 November 2025 to submit written comments.
Key proposed changes include:
Waste Management Plan Fee (Section 18): New provisions requiring deposits for cleaning during building or renovation.
Integration of Waste Pickers (Section 37): Formal registration and inclusion of waste pickers in the city’s waste management system.
Accreditation Process (Section 38): A streamlined application process for accrediting waste pickers and related entities.
Prohibition of Dumping and Abandoned Articles (Section 73): Stronger enforcement powers, including authority to impound vehicles used in illegal dumping.
The City says that since the start of the sessions in August, community participation has been encouraging, with robust discussions and constructive feedback from residents. These engagements provide a vital platform for stakeholders to shape the by-law and strengthen Johannesburg’s approach to waste management.
Last week, the city appointed the service provider to rehabilitate the decommissioned Kya Sands landfill site, which for years forced residents in the three main suburbs of Fourways, Bloubosrand and Cedar lakes frustrated as they had to live and breath polluted air on a daily basis. The R150 million project will be used to improve environmental integrity, improve air quality and safeguard public health.
According to MMC Sekwaila, environmental health is at the core of promoting sustainable development in the City and can not be compromised.
The draft by-law is a key step towards tackling illegal dumping, improving service delivery, and building a more sustainable city.
Submissions may be emailed to: [email protected] or [email protected].
The deadline for submissions is 30 November 2025.