DSTI/CSIR on Waste RDI Roadmap (2015 to 2024) & Circular Economy STI Strategy (2024-2034)

Video The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), in partnership with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), briefed the Committee on the outcomes of the Waste Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Roadmap (2015–2024) and the transition to the Circular Economy, Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Strategy (2024–2034). The Committee was informed that the Waste RDI Roadmap was developed to strengthen South Africa’s science, technology and innovation capacity in the waste sector, with a focus on municipal, plastic, organic, electronic and tyre waste. The Roadmap supported 71 research and development projects across 17 institutions, while contributing to research on informal waste pickers integration, food waste, marine plastic pollution and technological solutions for agricultural waste, e-waste and plastics. On human capital development, the Committee heard that 55 students had completed degrees by March 2024, with 73% employed and a further 14% pursuing additional studies. A total of 752 researchers benefited from grants, with 68% reporting significant career development. The Roadmap received approximately R125 million in funding, representing 3.2% of the original funding requirement. Despite the funding constraints, the investment was described as catalytic in leveraging further investment, developing technologies, supporting evidence-based policy and strengthening engagement with business. The Department and CSIR explained that the transition to the Circular Economy STI Strategy (2024–2034) represents a shift from a narrow focus on waste management towards sustainable resource management and national resource security. The Committee was informed that South Africa's economy is currently only about 6% circular, with much of the existing circularity attributed to ecological cycling. The Strategy identifies resource scarcity, climate mitigation, economic recovery and socio-economic development as key drivers of the transition. Strategic priorities include resource security and efficiency in mining, regenerative and resource-efficient practices in agriculture, and cleaner production, circular product design, advanced remanufacturing in the manufacturing sector. Implementation would include postgraduate programmes, research grants, demonstration projects and sector-specific initiatives, including the South African Circular Minerals and Metals Initiative (SACMMI), South African Circular Agriculture Initiative (SACAI), and South African Circular Manufacturing Initiative (SACMI). These would utilise hub-and-spoke and living-lab approaches. Five key enabling measures were identified: collaboration, finance, a skilled workforce, an evidence base, and business support. Committee members acknowledged the impact of the limited funding provided under the Waste RDI Roadmap and emphasised the need for sustained investment in STI. The importance of stronger collaboration across government, industry, research institutions and other stakeholders was also highlighted. They welcomed the transition to the Circular Economy STI Strategy and recognised the contribution of the Waste RDI Roadmap in establishing the research and innovation foundation for the new approach.