In 2012, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the CSIR embarked on a process to develop a Waste Research, Development and Innovation (RD&I) Roadmap to guide South Africa’s public and private sector investment in waste RD&I over the next 10 years.  The roadmap was published in 2015.

With an investment ask of approximately R3.9 billion over the next 10 years, the successful implementation of the roadmap is expected to assist government and industry in significantly increasing the diversion of waste away from landfills towards value-adding alternatives, through more effective decision-making, faster insertion of context-appropriate technology, strengthened RD&I capability and capacity and the transfer of know-how and technology.

The CSIR has been contracted by the DST to implement the roadmap and will drive a process to strengthen South Africa’s human capital in this area, research and development, and innovation through grants and university scholarships.