Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Bernice Swarts, launched an innovative E-Waste Recycling Pilot Project in Rustenburg Local Municipality, Bojanala District, on Wednesday, marking a significant step toward sustainable waste management in South Africa.
The initiative, unveiled during the North-West Service Delivery Imbizo, aims to tackle the growing challenge of electronic waste while promoting a circular economy.
The project, a collaboration between the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Rustenburg and Bojanala municipalities, and industry partners, seeks to establish a sustainable system for collecting and recycling e-waste. South Africa generates over 360,000 tons of e-waste annually, with only 10% properly managed, Swarts noted. “This initiative demonstrates our commitment to tackling one of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges,” she said, highlighting the dangers of toxic materials like lead and mercury found in discarded electronics.
Rustenburg, grappling with waste management issues, will benefit from dedicated e-waste collection points, including wheelie bins provided by the DFFE, to ensure proper disposal and recycling. The project also aims to create jobs and stimulate local economic development by engaging Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) to manage the recycling process. “This is about more than waste management; it’s about building a sustainable future,” Swarts emphasized.
The launch aligns with South Africa’s 2025 G20 presidency, which prioritizes circular economy initiatives under the Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group. Swarts referenced recent global discussions at the Montreal Protocol meetings in Bangkok, where managing chemicals in electronics was a key focus, underscoring the project’s international relevance.
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In addition to the e-waste initiative, Swarts announced a national challenge to plant 1 million trees on September 24, 2025, as part of Arbor Month and President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Ten Million Trees Programme. During a meeting with Rustenburg’s traditional leaders earlier that day, she donated 500 trees to the community, urging residents to join the effort to combat climate change. “Tree planting is one of the most effective strategies to mitigate climate change,” she said, calling for widespread participation.
Local leaders, including Rustenburg Mayor Sheila Mabale-Huma and Bojanala Acting Executive Mayor Ignatius Msoki, attended the event, signaling strong community support. The DFFE will monitor the pilot’s progress, tracking e-waste volumes, job creation, and community engagement, with plans to replicate successful elements in other municipalities.
Swarts urged Rustenburg residents to participate actively, emphasizing that community involvement is critical to the project’s success. “By working together, we can ensure our environment is protected for future generations,” she concluded.
