September 15, 2026

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South Africa
South Africa – Africa Institute

South Africa

Country Profile & Environmental Management Partnerships

South Africa is a major partner and host country for key regional initiatives. Through collaboration with the Africa Institute, South Africa implements community-level programs, regional treaties, and sector-specific strategies to manage hazardous waste, advance circular economy practices, and protect local ecosystems.

Active & Collaborative Projects

The Africa Institute coordinates and executes several national and regional initiatives in South Africa to support sustainable chemicals management and circular business models.

Ongoing PCB Elimination ESM

PCB Environmentally Sound Management & Disposal

Reducing and eliminating the use and releases of PCBs to the environment through development and implementation of environmentally sound management (ESM) and disposal of PCBs and PCB-contaminated oil, equipment, and wastes in South Africa.

Focus: Hazardous Chemical Disposal

Scope: South Africa

Ongoing Textile Circular Economy

Textile & Garment Sector Circular Economy

Promoting a circular economy in the textile and garment (TG) industry by phasing out hazardous chemicals, improving resource efficiency, supporting sustainable product design, and reducing industrial pollution across participating countries.

Focus: Circular Economy & Industrial Pollution

Scope: Lesotho, Madagascar, South Africa, Ethiopia

Ongoing NAP – ASGM

ASGM Sector National Action Plan (NAP – ASGM)

Assisting the Government of South Africa in the development of its National Action Plan for the Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) sector, raising awareness on the Minamata Convention, and building national capacity for early implementation.

Focus: Mercury Reduction & ASGM

Scope: South Africa

Ongoing SADC GEM Project

Electronics Value Chain Circularity & Resource Efficiency

Reducing the adverse impacts of POPs, uPOPs, and heavy metals (such as mercury) on human health and environment across the life cycle of electrical and electronic equipment in SADC countries.

Focus: E-Waste & Heavy Metal Reduction

Scope: SADC Countries (incl. South Africa)

Ongoing Johannesburg Plastics

Community Plastic Waste Management in Johannesburg

Improving the management of plastic waste through increased knowledge, capacity, and engagement among decision makers and stakeholders on transboundary movement (TBM) and environmentally sound management (ESM) of plastic waste in line with Basel Convention Plastic Waste Amendments.

Focus: Plastic Waste & Recycling

Scope: South Africa (City of Johannesburg)

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