This section contains a list of papers presented at conferences, papers published in Journals, and Workshops presented on Waste Minimisation Clubs since 1998.

Scientific papers | Abstracts

Scientific Papers

Paper 1:
Steenveld G, Barclay SJ and Buckley CA, Waste Minimisation Clubs: Introducing the Concept to South African Industries, WISA 98 Biennial Conference and Exhibition, Cape Town, 4-7 May 1998. (Paper)

Abstract:
The concept of sustainable development stresses the interdependence of economic growth and environmental quality. Industries are challenged to produce higher levels of output while using lower levels of inputs and producing less waste. Cleaner Production is recognised as an important approach to reducing environmental impact and leading industries in the direction of sustainable development. Cleaner Production is general term that describes a preventative approach to industrial activity. It encompasses concepts such as pollution prevention and waste minimisation, but there is also emphasis on a change in attitude in the manner in which products are manufactured. In addition to achieving a lower level of pollution, Cleaner Production results in economic benefits as there is more efficient use of raw materials and less waste being produced. There are a number of organisations world wide promoting Cleaner Production, with many case studies documented, some of the most successful being the establishment of Waste Minimisation Clubs in The Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Locally, there is a national development programme to promote and support the establishment of small, medium and micro enterprises in South Africa. These industries are significant polluters, but do not have the knowledge or resources (financial or technical) to address these issues. It is envisaged that the establishment of Waste Minimisation Clubs within these industries to promote Cleaner Production will lead to, not only a reduction in pollution, but also increased profits.
 

Paper 2:
Barclay SJ, Buckley CA, Thambiran N, Maharaj D, Goff J and Scott D, Waste Minimisation Club for Metal Finishers - A First for South African Industry, 2nd Asia-Pacific Cleaner Production Roundtable and Trade Expo, Global Competitiveness Through Cleaner Production, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, Australia, 21-24 April 1999. (Paper and Poster).

Abstract:
The presence of heavy metals in sewage sludge is of increasing concern in South Africa, both on a National and Regional level. While the larger metal finishing companies in South Africa generally follow acceptable disposal procedures, many of the smaller operations do not, with effluent containing heavy metal concentrations in excess of the sewer regulations commonly being discharged to drain. On a regional level, the Durban Metropolitan Council in KwaZulu- Natal has issued new bylaws targeting effluents containing heavy metals, with stringent regulations being applied as to the acceptable levels of metal concentration. In addition, due to the absence of landfill sites in the Durban Metropolitan Area (DMA) that are able to accept hazardous waste, the metal finishing companies have to truck their sludge to landfill sites in other regions at great expense. As the majority of the metal finishing operations in this region are small, micro and medium sized enterprises (SMME's), they are finding it difficult to meet these costs. It therefore seemed appropriate to initiate a waste minimisation club in this sector. To date a number of waste minimisation options have been identified in the various companies, with the reported combined savings being in the region of R 340 000 (US $60 000). This paper will discuss the method of establishing this pilot was minimisation club, the results obtained and the development of further initiatives in South Africa.
 

Paper 3:
Barclay SJ and Buckley CA, Waste Minimisation Club for the South African Textile Industry: A Feasibility Assessment, 18th International Federation of Association of Textile Chemist and Colourist Congress on Textile Dyeing and Finishing in the 21st Century, Scandic Copenhagen Hotel in Copenhagen, Denmark, 8-10 September 1999. (Paper)

Abstract:
The establishment of waste minimisation clubs has been cited in the Draft National Waste Management Strategy for South Africa as being a tool to promote sustainable industrial development [3]. A pilot project to investigate the feasibility of establishing such clubs has been initiated in the greater Durban Metropolitan Area (DMA) in the KwaZulu Natal Province (KZN). This is a three-year project (1998 to 2000) funded by the South African Water Research Commission (WRC) and undertaken by the Pollution Research Group (PRG) at the University of Natal, Durban.

Under the terms of the contract, three waste minimisation clubs were to be established. The first was initiated in June 1998 in the metal finishing sector, and the second in November 1998 in the Hammarsdale region of KZN, an area with a high concentration of textile factories. The site of the third club is still to be identified. This paper will discuss the success of the Metal Finishing Club and the methodology of establishing the Hammarsdale Club.
 

Paper 4:
Barclay SJ, Waste Minimisation Club for the Metal Finishing Industry - A Case Study; Presented by Ike Ndlovu of the Department of Environment Affairs and Tourism at the 4th International Workshop held by the Institute of Environmental Technology, Basel, Switzerland, 1999 (paper)
 

Paper 5:
Maharaj D, Barclay SJ, Buckley CA and Mercer DG, Practical Waste and Effluent Reduction: Case Studies from the Manufacturing Sector, The Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA 2000) Biennial Conference and Exhibition, Sun City, South Africa, 28 May - 1 June 2000. (Poster)

Abstract
The Hammarsdale industrial region in KwaZulu Natal has a high concentration of textile plants that have a significant combined environmental impact. This area generates a large volume of dyebath effluent that has a detrimental effect on the receiving municipal treatment works and the works is finding it increasingly difficult to meet discharge standards set by the governing water body. New environmental legislation will make it more difficult for the companies to achieve compliance with municipal laws. Furthermore, the current economic climate and the effects of globalisation are impacting severely on the textile sector. The application of waste minimisation programmes in reducing waste and saving money is now an integral part of most environmental management strategies. This poster-paper highlights the results of the case studies and illustrates the importance of monitoring and targeting as a tool for minimising waste and managing utility consumption. The initial assessments have generated 11 feasible waste minimisation options with a total potential saving of approximately R784 000 for three case studies. All the options generated require no capital costs. Further studies show how these companies can achieve a strategic technical and economic advantage through the application of a waste minimisation programme.
 

Paper 6:
Thambiran N, Barclay SJ and Buckley CA, Pollution Prevention Really Does Pay: Case Studies from the Metal Finishing Waste Minimisation Club, The Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA 2000) Biennial Conference and Exhibition, Sun City, South Africa, 28 May-1 June 2000. (Poster)

Abstract
The misuse of the Earth's natural resources and the increasing levels of pollution has gained widespread concern in South Africa and internationally. In South Africa, a number of policies and legislative documents have been introduced which contain sections on pollution prevention. The pollution liability of waste generating enterprises has increased considerably with increased fines, clean up orders, liability for environmental rehabilitation, and personal liability all being issues included in the new acts, bills and policies. Licenses and permits are playing a greater role in the control of standards. The Durban Metropolitan Council has incorporated pollution prevention in their new bylaws, which contain stringent regulations pertaining to acceptable levels of metal content. A number of metal finishers have found it difficult to comply with legal limits and to dispose of their sludge. Waste minimisation seemed a good way for this industry to deal with these problems. It was therefore considered beneficial for the metal finishing industry to establish a Waste Minimisation Club. Since the establishment of the club in June 1998, the known documented combined annual savings total approximately R700 000. A number of waste minimisation options have been identified and implemented by club members. However, due to a lack of time, and in some cases a lack of financial resources, many companies have not implemented any options. Savings have only been quantified by 10 companies. Therefore the actual savings exceed the amount quoted. This paper discusses the concept of waste minimisation and waste minimisation clubs, the establishment of the metal finishing club, and the results obtained.
 

Paper 7:
Barclay SJ, Buckley CA and Mercer DG, Waste Minimisation Clubs - Managing them for Success, Wastecon 2000, Cape Town, 5-7 September 2000 (paper)

Abstract
A waste minimisation club is a concept that was first developed in the Netherlands in the early 1990's to encourage industries to reduce pollution. It involves a small number of companies, generally within the same geographical area, working together to exchange ideas and information on waste minimisation, and in this way, encourage one another to improve process efficiency, save money and reduce their environmental impact. It has shown to be a successful concept, with over 80 clubs established in the United Kingdom and similar initiatives in New Zealand and India.

Two waste minimisation clubs have been established in the KwaZulu Natal region. The aim of these pilot clubs is to (i) determine the feasibility of using such a concept in South Africa to promote sustainable business and environment; and (ii) to establish the necessary criteria to replicate these clubs in other regions. The first club was established in June 1998 within the metal finishing sector in the Durban Metropolitan Area, and the second, in November 1998 in the Hammarsdale region. A number of successes have been achieved in both clubs, with the first club reporting combined annual savings in excess of R 1.9 million, and the Hammarsdale club, savings in the region of R 4 million / year. These were achieved through reductions in water, energy, chemical and raw material use, thereby leading to reduced effluent production, air emissions, and solid and hazardous waste disposal.

This project has thus shown that the waste minimisation club concept is a feasible approach to encouraging sustainable industrial development.

Paper 8:
Thambiran N, Barclay SJ and Buckley CA, Waste Minimisation Success at a Metal Finishing Company, Wastecon 2000, Cape Town, 5-7 September 2000 (paper)

Abstract
The company discussed in this paper has been a member of the Metal Finishing Waste Minimisation Club since its establishment in June 1998. It is one of many club members that have achieved significant environmental and financial savings through the successful management of a waste minimisation programme. The metal finishing processes employed at the company consume large quantities of water, energy, and chemicals, and contribute approximately 90 % of the company's waste. A commitment to waste minimisation was made by management, and as a result, their metal finishing processes are being investigated, with the focus on reducing their water and chemical consumption. A preliminary waste minimisation assessment has been performed at the company, and a detailed investigation is currently taking place. To date, a 39 % reduction in water consumption has been achieved representing a financial saving of R 33 000 per year. A saving in electricity of R 110 000 per year has been realised. Chemical consumption has also been reduced, but this has not yet been quantified. These reductions have lowered the company's environmental impact and the results achieved prove that pollution prevention does pay. The progress made is an incentive to other metal finishers to examine their processes more closely and implement waste minimisation programmes.
 

Paper 9:
Maharaj D, Barclay SJ, Buckley CA and Mercer DG, A Practical Cost Savings through the Implementation of a Waste Minimisation Programme at a Textile Plant, Wastecon 2000, Cape Town, 5-7 September 2000 (paper).

Abstract
The Hammarsdale industrial region in KwaZulu Natal has a high concentration of textile plants that have a significant combined environmental impact. These factories are facing new legislation regarding the discharge of coloured and saline effluent and are now subject to pollution penalties should they fail to reach compliance. The waste minimisation club concept has been successfully applied in the United Kingdom and a club for the Hammarsdale region was thus formed to help companies reduce waste and save money. This paper will report on the effectiveness of waste minimisation in reducing wastes and will focus on one of the textile factories in this area. The case study involves an initial assessment for identifying waste streams and waste generating practices and the scope for monetary savings. This is followed by a detailed waste audit that results in a number of options for minimising waste. The application of this waste minimisation programme together with various management initiatives in this case study has resulted in three significant opportunities for reducing wastes and production costs. The total financial saving identified is approximately R1.1m per year. The case study highlights the importance of waste minimisation as a tool of cleaner production and conclusively demonstrates its value in reducing plant costs.
 

Paper 10:
Barclay SJ, Buckley CA, Thambiran N, Maharaj D and Mercer DG, Waste Minimisation Clubs - A Route to Sustainable Development? The Southern African Institution of Chemical Engineers, 9th National Meeting, Secunda, 9-12 October 2000 (Paper)

Abstract
A Waste Minimisation Club is a concept that was developed to promote waste Minimisation and encourage industries to reduce waste through improved process efficiency. They consist of a small number of companies, generally within the same geographical area, working together to exchange information and experiences in waste minimisation. In this way, individual companies are encouraged to reduce waste, save money and reduce their environmental impact. Two such clubs have been established in the kwaZulu Natal Region in South Africa, with the formation of further clubs being investigated to promote the concept, thereby encouraging sustainable industrial development. This paper will highlight the results achieved, the lessons learnt and discuss the way forward to ensuring the long-term success of this concept in South Africa.
 

Paper 11:
Barclay, S.J. And Buckley, C.A., Promoting Sustainable Industry Through Waste Minimisation Clubs, The International Water Association Conference on Water and Wastewater Management for Developing Countries, Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, pp. 93-103, 29-31 October 2001. (Paper)

Abstract
The concept of waste minimisation clubs was developed in the early 1990's to promote the exchange of experiences between geographically close manufacturers in the implementation of waste minimisation measures. It is a successful approach, resulting not only in a reduction in environmental impact, but also significant financial savings for the companies involved. Two pilot waste minimisation clubs were established in the province of kwaZulu Natal in South Africa in 1998 and 1999, to determine if this approach was a feasible method of promoting sustainable industrial development in South Africa. On conclusion of this project in December 2000, the 17 companies that participated in these clubs had saved a total of US$ 1.7
million, and reduced their water use and effluent discharge by over 2 400 Ml / y.
 

Paper 12:
Soukop, M.B., Preston-Whyte, R.A., Barclay S.J. And Buckley, C.A., Pathways of Change in the Management of Waste Minimisation, The International Water Association Conference on Water and Wastewater Management for Developing Countries, Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, pp. 736-742, 29-31 October 2001. (Paper)

Abstract:
Waste management in industrial processes has only recently become a priority issue in South Africa. The implementation of waste minimisation and cleaner production requires a shift in thinking, a change in management or industrial practices and an awareness of problems. To facilitate this change in the Durban Metal Finishing industry, a Waste Minimisation Club was set up in 1998.
This paper assesses how Change Management Theory systematically evaluates the success, barriers and drivers of the new concept of WM and cleaner production within the metal finishing companies. Six Companies were evaluated and it was found that the degree to which each company successfully implemented waste management techniques was directly related to the extent of their pathway of change. Only Companies', that progressed through all four realities of change, have successfully implemented and beneficially employed waste minimisation and cleaner production.
 

Paper 13:
Barclay SJ And Buckley CA, Establishing and Managing Waste Minimisation Clubs in South Africa, WISA 2002, Durban, 19 - 23 May 2002 (Paper)

Abstract
The waste minimisation club concept was devised to promote the exchange of experiences between geographically close manufacturers in the implementation of waste minimisation measures. This has proved to be a successful approach, with a number of waste minimisation clubs, or similar initiatives, established in the United Kingdom, India and Australia. Based on this success, it was felt that this could be a feasible method of promoting sustainable industrial development within South Africa. Waste minimisation practices not only promote the efficient use of recourses such as water and energy, but also leads to a reduction in emissions. By forming a club, companies are able to work together to reduce waste and save money through discussions, training and the combined use of outside consultants. The South African Water Research Commission sponsored a three-year project to establish two pilot waste minimisation clubs in the kwaZulu Natal region from 1998 to 2001. Since the establishment of these pilot clubs, there has been a great deal of interest in further clubs being established in other regions of South Africa. Due to these inquiries, a second WRC project was initiated in January 2001 to develop a Manual to guide prospective club facilitators in the methodology of establishing and managing a waste minimisation club. This manual draws on the experience gained in the pilot project and also the experiences of the facilitators of the new waste minimisation clubs.
This paper will discuss the outline of this manual and how it can be used to promote the establishment of further clubs in South Africa. In addition, the concept of waste minimisation clubs, its applicability to industry in South Africa and the lessons learnt from the clubs established to date will be discussed. The methodology of forming and managing waste minimisation clubs will also be compared to the management style in other regions of the world.
 

Paper 14:
Barclay SJ And Buckley CA, Facilitator's manual for establishing and managing waste minimisation clubs in South Africa, Wastecon 2002, Durban, 30th September to 4th October 2002 (Poster)

Abstract
The Water Research Commission (WRC) sponsored a project from 1998 to 2000 to investigate the feasibility of establishing waste minimisation clubs in South Africa to promote cleaner production in industry. This project was carried out by the Pollution Research Group (PRG) and two pilot waste minimisation clubs were established - one in the Metal Finishing sector in the greater Durban Metropolitan Area, and the second one, a cross-sectional club in the Hammarsdale region. These clubs proved to be a success, with open sharing of information and ideas amongst the club members, financial benefits to the companies and a reduction in their environmental impact. The experiences gained during the course of this project are important lessons for others who wish to establish and manage further waste minimisation clubs in South Africa, and for this reason, the WRC have sponsored the development of a set of Manuals to guide future facilitators.
This poster aims to outline the format of the Manuals and the information that is available to those wishing to establish waste minimisation clubs in South Africa.

Paper 15:
Barclay SJ, Buckley CA and Lundbo K, The Importance of Training in Promoting Cleaner Production, Wastecon 2002, Durban, 30th September to 4th October 2002 (Paper)

Abstract
The Danish Corporation for Environment and Development (DANCED, now Danida) has launched a practical demonstration project in South Africa to assist the textile manufacturing sector in reducing its negative environmental impact through the implementation of Cleaner Production. As part of this project, a waste minimisation auditor training course was offered to both industry and non-industry participants to train them in implementing waste minimisation programmes within the textile sector. The course was developed by the Pollution Research Group, University of Natal, and run in both Durban and Cape Town.
The courses were run over a period of 5 to 6 months in 10 lecture modules. For each lecture module the participants received a full day of training, followed by 2 to 3 weeks of practical hands-on work in the factory to implement what they learned. Both courses were well attended and resulted in waste minimisation audits being undertaken in a number of textile factories.
This paper will highlight the achievements made by these companies and the importance of this type of training for industry in order to promote cleaner production practices.
 

Abstracts

Abstract 1:

Maharaj D, Barclay SJ, Buckley CA and Mercer DG, Practical Waste and Effluent Reduction: Case Studies in the Manufacturing Sector, The Southern African Institution of Chemical Engineers, 9th National Meeting, Secunda, 9-12 October 2000 (Poster)
 

Abstract 2:

Thambiran N, Barclay SJ and Buckley CA, Waste Minimisation Success at a Metal Finishing Company, The Southern African Institution of Chemical Engineers, 9th National Meeting, Secunda, 9-12 October 2000 (Poster)