Wasting the Nation.indd - Groundwork

Chapter 3: The politics of wastein South Africa, is likely to attach to anything that big corporations are engaged in.And they will be able to appeal any declaration to the senior ministries which can beexpected to support them. Everything from the initial declaration to the details ofregulation will be contested with powerful interests and ranks of corporate lawyerslined up behind the economic significance.At the same time, it appears that the DEAT is now cultivating its own corporateconstituency in industries involved in managing, recycling or recovering energy fromwaste. If so, this reflects the ‘political’ culture of key South African departments whichare positioned in relation to particular economic interests. Thus, the DME is integralto the minerals and energy complex while the DTI relates primarily to interestswithin the industrial manufacturing sector. The mandate for growth has the effect ofreinforcing these relationships as the private sector is seen as delivering on it. Duringthe parliamentary hearings, it appeared that the DEAT was ready to call up industryallies to give weight to its positions, particularly in defence of incineration.Waste struggles codifiedIn a certain sense, the Waste Bill summarises – and codifies – the current state of playin struggles around waste initiated in the late 1980s. Understood this way, it makessobering reading.The definition of wasteIn its submission to parliament, Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) argues thatwaste is anything the holder discards. This would leave the practical definition of wasteto businesses and the market. It would, as the American Petroleum Institute put it,leave businesses “free to increase or decrease waste production rates … and negotiatetreatment or disposal service contracts in a free and competitive market” [see Chapter4].BUSA points out that the private sector is driving recycling without governmentintervention. Indeed, the commodities boom has boosted the market in recyclables,turning wastes into resources. The boom is now turning to bust as commodity pricesfall in anticipation of global recession and those resources are now likely to turn backinto waste. Either way, the market is interested in the potential for profit and indifferentto the use value of materials. Recycling is of interest only in so far as it comes in belowthe cost of ‘virgin’ materials – or is compatible with the interests of dominant marketplayers.- 72 - groundWork - Wasting the Nation