Unlocking the Opportunities of a Circular Economy in South Africa

The circular economy is not new to South Africa. As a country facing high levels of unemployment, poverty, and inequality, end-of-life products are often repaired and reused, driven largely by an active informal sector. As a water scarce country, grey water has been recycled and reused for decades, with returns making up 13% of South Africa’s available water. And facing an energy crisis since 2007, renewable energy has grown to 11% of South Africa’s energy supply. While there is certainly much progress still to be made in scaling-up activities in the waste, energy, and water sectors, this chapter provides insights into some of the initiatives already in place to catalyse South Africa’s transition to a more circular economy. In addition to the sector opportunities, the chapter also explores the role of government, business, and science, technology, and innovation in unlocking a circular economy in South Africa. It is acknowledged that further circular economy opportunities in resource-intensive sectors such as agriculture, human settlements, transport, and manufacturing need to be identified, and that more needs to be done in addressing “early stage” product design and resource demand. However, based on a growing body of knowledge, it is clear that the circular economy provides opportunities to address issues of national resource scarcity and security through sustainable resource utilisation. It provides opportunities to move the country forward in its local and international environmental commitments and development objectives. And it provides very real opportunities to strengthen local manufacturing, reduce dependence on resource imports, unlock new economic opportunities, improve the sustainability of other investment areas, create jobs, and position South Africa in the short term for a post-COVID19 green economic recovery and in the long term for a post-mining economy.