An Analysis of Industrial Symbiosis as a Strategic Tool for Integrated Waste Management Plans (IWMPS) in South Africa – A Case Study of Mpumalanga Province

Tadiwanashe  Chido Dune; Hester Roberts

doi:10.55845/joce-2026-41196

Authors

Tadiwanashe Chido Dune University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Pretoria, South Africa, Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein, South Africa Author https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1772-1571
Hester Roberts Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein, South Africa Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3144-4707

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55845/joce-2026-41196

Keywords:

Integrated Waste Management Plan (IWMP), Circular Economy, Industrial Symbiosis, Waste, Mpumalanga

Abstract

Waste management is a global environmental crisis that is often overlooked on the environmental agenda. For an emerging country like South Africa, the impacts of poor waste management are more severe when compared to the developed world. A systems-oriented and eco-innovative concept, such as industrial symbiosis, offers environmental, social and economic benefits when waste exchange and recycling are encouraged among industry players. Low levels of uptake of the industrial symbiosis process cripples its success and slows the achievement of overall sustainable waste management. Mpumalanga province offers a complex environment to study the relationship between industrial symbiosis and its role in decision-making tools such as integrated waste management plans (IWMPs). This article explores the integrated waste management planning regulatory environment in South Africa and argues for the inclusion of industrial symbiosis as an integrated waste management implementation instrument. Through content and document analysis, this article seeks to investigate waste legislation, policy and strategy while scrutinising industrial symbiosis literature. The article draws from global literature on industrial symbiosis and encourages heightened participation and buy-in from the government, through its inclusion in integrated waste management plans and finally, integrated development plans.

References

Aliboeva, N. (2022). The expression of comparative analysis. Science and innovation, 1(B7), 93-95.

Anshassi, M., Laux, S. J., & Townsend, T. G. (2019). Approaches to integrate sustainable materials management into waste management planning and policy. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 148, 55-66.

Behera, S. K., Kim, J. H., Lee, S. Y., Suh, S., & Park, H. S. (2012). Evolution of ‘designed’industrial symbiosis networks in the Ulsan Eco-industrial Park:‘research and development into business’ as the enabling framework. Journal of Cleaner Production, 29, 103-112.

Bilyaminu, A. M., Rene, E. R., Pandey, A., Babel, S., Clement, Q. B., James, A., & Hernandez, H. G. (2024). Industrial symbiosis and eco-industrial transformation opportunities for environmental protection in Nigeria. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 49, 219-235.

Bonoli, A., Degli Esposti, A., & Magrini, C. (2020). A case study of industrial symbiosis to reduce GHG emissions: performance analysis and LCA of asphalt concretes made with RAP aggregates and steel slags. Frontiers in Materials, 7, 572955.

Botha, T. (2023, August 19). Mpumalanga shows serious decay in AfriForum’s landfill audits. Ridge Times. https://www.citizen.co.za/ridge-times/news-headlines/local-news/2023/08/19/mpumalanga-shows-serious-decay-in-afriforums-landfill-audits/

Bowen, G. A. (2009). Document analysis as a qualitative research method. Qualitative research journal, 9(2), 27-40.

Buda, G., & Ricz, J. (2023). Industrial symbiosis and industrial policy for sustainable development in Uganda. Review of Evolutionary Political Economy, 4(1), 165-189.

Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (2021). INTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN (DRAFT) 2021 – 2025. https://www.buffalocity.gov.za/CM/uploads/documents/2021031111163594423802Aug2021RevisedDraftIWMP_BCMv2.pdf.

Bushbuckridge Local Municipality. (2019). Integrated Waste Management Plan.

Chertow, M. R. (2000). Industrial symbiosis: literature and taxonomy. Annual review of energy and the environment, 25(1), 313-337.

Chertow, M. R. (2007). “Uncovering” industrial symbiosis. Journal of industrial Ecology, 11(1), 11-30.

Chief Albert Luthuli Local Municipality. (2022). Integrated Waste Management Plan.

Cimren, E., Fiksel, J., Posner, M. E., & Sikdar, K. (2011). Material flow optimization in by‐product synergy networks. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 15(2), 315-332.

City of Mbombela Local Municipality. (2010). Integrated Waste Management Plan.

Clarke, M. J., Read, A. D., & Phillips, P. S. (1999). Integrated waste management planning and decision-making in New York City. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 26(2), 125-141.

Cloete, H. (2022). Skills Profile of Waste Management Officials in South African Municipalities: An Empirical Survey. Journal of Public Administration, 57(4), 836-851.

Comité Européen De Normalisation i.e. European Committee for Standardisation (CEN). (2018). Industrial Symbiosis: Core Elements and Implementation Approaches.

de Souza, V. M., Bloemhof, J., & Borsato, M. (2021). Assessing the eco-effectiveness of a solid waste management plan using agent-based modelling. Waste Management, 125, 235-248.

Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environment Affairs. (2019). Mpumalanga Provincial Integrated Waste Management Plan, 2019.

Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environment Affairs. (2022). Mpumalanga Climate Change Mitigation Strategy and Implementation Plan. https://letsrespondtoolkit.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Mpumalanga-Climate-Change-Mitigation-Strategy-And-Implementation-Plan-2022.pdf.

Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA). (2018). Report on Mpumalanga Landfill Sites 2018, Site Visit Provincial Project Progress Report: Location: Provincial Landfill Sites Date: 2017/18 FY.

Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs. (2024). Status of Integrated Waste Management Plan (IWMPs) in Municipalities.

Department of Environmental Affairs. (2012). Guideline for the Development of Integrated Waste Management Plans (IWMPs). https://www.dffe.gov.za/sites/default/files/Pdf-Files/guidelines-and-policies/integratedwaste_management_guidelines_0.pdf.

Department of Environmental Affairs. (2012). Integrated Waste Management Plan. http://iwmp.environment.gov.za/.

Department of Environmental Affairs. (2012). National Climate Change Response White Paper. https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/nationalclimatechangeresponsewhitepaper0.pdf.

Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE). (2020). Circular Economy Guideline for the Waste Sector. https://www.dffe.gov.za/sites/default/files/docs/circulareconomy_guideline.pdf.

Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE). (2023). The Waste Economic Master Plan.

Department of Science and Technology (DST). (2014). A National Waste R&D and Innovation Roadmap for South Africa: Phase 2 Waste RDI Roadmap. The economic benefits of moving up the waste management hierarchy in South Africa: The value of resources lost through landfilling. Department of Science and Technology, Pretoria. www.wasteroadmap.co.za/download/economic_value_sa_waste_rep.pdf.

Department of Trade and Industry. (2018). Industrial Policy Action Plan 2018/19 – 2020/21. https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201805/industrial-policy-action-plan.pdf.

Di Foggia, G., & Beccarello, M. (2021). Designing waste management systems to meet circular economy goals: The Italian case. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 26, 1074-1083.

Dipaleseng Local Municipality. (2023). Integrated Waste Management Plan.

Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality. (2018). Integrated Waste Management Plan.

Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Local Municipality. (2022). Integrated Waste Management Plan.

Ehlanzeni District Municipality. (2023). Integrated Waste Management Plan.

Emakhazeni Local Municipality. (2022). Integrated Waste Management Plan.

Emalahleni Local Municipality. (2023). Integrated Waste Management Plan.

Fakoya, M. B. (2014). Institutional challenges to municipal waste management service delivery in South Africa. Journal of human ecology, 45(2), 119-125.

Frosch, R. A., & Gallopoulos, N. E. (1989). Strategies for manufacturing. Scientific American, 261(3), 144-153.

Gast, L., Cabrera Serrenho, A., & Allwood, J. M. (2022). What contribution could industrial symbiosis make to mitigating industrial greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in bulk material production?. Environmental Science & Technology, 56(14), 10269-10278.

Gert Sibande District Municipality. (2024). Integrated Waste Management Plan.

Godfrey, L., & Oelofse, S. (2017). Historical review of waste management and recycling in South Africa. Resources, 6(4), 57.

Godfrey, L., Ahmed, M. T., Gebremedhin, K. G., Katima, J. H., Oelofse, S., Osibanjo, O., & Richter, U. H. (2020). Solid Waste Management in. Regional development in Africa, 235.

Gopalakrishnan, V., & Bakshi, B. R. (2024). Including nature in engineering decisions for sustainability. In Encyclopedia of Sustainable Technologies, Second Edition: Volumes 1-4 (pp. V1-65). Elsevier.

Govan Mbeki Local Municipality. (2022). Integrated Waste Management Plan (IWMP) Govan Mbeki Municipality. https://www.govanmbeki.gov.za/wp-content/strategic_documents/integrated_waste_management_plan.pdf.

GreenCape. (2024). Enabling large-scale renewable energy development in Mpumalanga. https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Industry-Brief-%E2%80%93-Navigating-large-scale-renewable-energy-development-challenges-in-Mpumalanga.pdf.

GreenCape. (2025). The Western Cape Industrial Symbiosis Programme (WISP). https://greencape.co.za/sector/circular-economy/wisp/.

Herath, P., Dissanayake, P. and Thisakya, G. (2023). The Potential of industrial symbiosis: an analysis of barriers to its implementation for better waste management in industrial zones in Sri Lanka. In Proceedings The 11th World Construction Symposium| July (p. 1065).

Holcomb, Z. C. (2016). Fundamentals of descriptive statistics. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.

Hossain, M., Al Aziz, R., Karmaker, C. L., Debnath, B., Bari, A. M., & Islam, A. R. M. T. (2024). Exploring the barriers to implement industrial symbiosis in the apparel manufacturing industry: Implications for sustainable development. Heliyon, 10(13).

Imran, M., Jijian, Z., Sharif, A., & Magazzino, C. (2024). Evolving waste management: The impact of environmental technology, taxes, and carbon emissions on incineration in EU countries. Journal of Environmental Management, 364, 121440.

Ji, Y., Liu, Z., Wu, J., He, Y., & Xu, H. (2020). Which factors promote or inhibit enterprises’ participation in industrial symbiosis? An analytical approach and a case study in China. Journal of Cleaner Production, 244, 118600.

Kalundborg Symbiosis. (2025). Kalundborg Symbiosis - The world’s leading industrial symbiosis. Kalundborg Symbiosis. https://www.symbiosis.dk/en/

Kaza, S., Yao, L., Bhada-Tata, P., & Van Woerden, F. (2018). What a waste 2.0: a global snapshot of solid waste management to 2050. World Bank Publications.

Khan, K. A., Hasan, M., Islam, M. A., Alim, M. A., Asma, U., Hassan, L., & Ali, M. H. (2018). A study on conventional energy sources for power production. Int. J. Adv. Res. Innov. Ideas Educ, 4(4), 214-228.

Kubanza, N. S., & Simatele, M. D. (2020). Sustainable solid waste management in developing countries: A study of institutional strengthening for solid waste management in Johannesburg, South Africa. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 63(2), 175-188.

Kubanza, N. S., Das, D. K., & Simatele, D. (2017). Some happy, others sad: exploring environmental justice in solid waste management in Kinshasa, The Democratic Republic of Congo. Local Environment, 22(5), 595-620.

Lekwa Local Municipality. (2022). Integrated Waste Management Plan.

Liu, Z., Adams, M., Cote, R. P., Geng, Y., Chen, Q., Liu, W., ... & Yu, X. (2017). Comprehensive development of industrial symbiosis for the response of greenhouse gases emission mitigation: Challenges and opportunities in China. Energy Policy, 102, 88-95.

Lombardi, M., Amicarelli, V., Bux, C., & Varese, E. (2024). Sustainable development and waste management. Encyclopedia of Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 385-92.

Mautla, M. Z. (2022). Evaluating the monitoring and review of the integrated waste management plans (IWMPs) of the Drakenstein Local Municipality (Doctoral dissertation, North-West University (South Africa)).

Mkhondo Local Municipality. (2023). Integrated Waste Management Plan.

Molaba, L. M. (2019). A critical analysis of the integrated waste management plans of local municipalities within Fezile Dabi district municipality (Doctoral dissertation, North-West University (South Africa)).

Mpumalanga Department of Economic Development and Tourism. (2022). Socio-Economic Review & Outlook of Mpumalanga SERO March 2022. https://dedtkm.mpg.gov.za/images/km/economic_profiles/SERO_Mar_2022_Final.pdf.

Mpumalanga Provincial Government. (2022). About Mpumalanga Province. http://www.mpumalanga.gov.za/about/province.htm.

Msukaligwa Local Municipality. (2022). Integrated Waste Management Plan.

Mukwevho, P., Radzuma, P., & Roos, C. (2024). Exploring barriers to the effective implementation of integrated waste management plans in developing economies: lessons learned from South African municipalities. Sustainability, 16(22), 9643.

Municipalities of South Africa. (2025). Mpumalanga Municipalities. https://municipalities.co.za/provinces/view/6/mpumalanga.

National Cleaner Production Centre South Africa. (2022). Industrial Symbiosis Programme Highlights. https://www.industrialefficiency.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/ISP-Highlights-21062022.pdf.

National Cleaner Production Centre South Africa. (2023). NCPC Annual Highlights 2023 /2024. https://www.industrialefficiency.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Annual-Highlights-2023-24.pdf.

National Cleaner Production Centre South Africa. (2025). Industrial Symbiosis Programme (ISP). https://www.industrialefficiency.co.za/industrial-symbiosis-programme-isp/.

Ndovela, M. N. (2022). Industrial Symbiosis in Climate Change Mitigation: Role of Effective Facilitation in the Gauteng City Region (Master's thesis, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (South Africa)).

Nel, E., Marais, L., & Mqotyana, Z. (2023). The regional implications of just transition in the world's most coal-dependent economy: The case of Mpumalanga, South Africa. Frontiers in Sustainable Cities, 4, 1059312.

Nick, T. G. (2007). Descriptive statistics. Topics in biostatistics, 33-52.

Nkangala District Municipality. (2019). Integrated Waste Management Plan.

Nkomazi Local Municipality. (2018). Integrated Waste Management Plan.

North West University (2025). Integrated Development Plan. https://law.nwu.ac.za/sarchi-cles-chair/integrated-development-plan.

Nyakudya, P., Madushele, N., & Madyira, D. M. (2023, May). Industrial Symbiosis: A Panacea to Industrial Waste Management Challenges in Harare. In 2023 14th International Conference on Mechanical and Intelligent Manufacturing Technologies (ICMIMT) (pp. 238-243). IEEE.

O’Carroll, S., Wallace, J., Pineo, C., Basson, L., Woodcock, J., Daniel, R. and Mouton, C. (2014, October). The Western Cape Industrial Symbiosis Programme (WISP): an innovative approach to resource efficiency and waste minimisation for South African businesses. In Proceedings of the 20th WasteCon Conference (pp. 232-241).

Oni, O. O., Nevo, C. M., Hampo, C. C., Ozobodo, K. O., Olajide, I. O., Ibidokun, A. O., ... & Ikpeama, C. C. (2022). Current status, emerging challenges, and future prospects of industrial symbiosis in Africa. International Journal of Environmental Research, 16(4), 49.

Pai, S., Barlow.I., Allen, M.M., O’Hare, K., Searight, H., Madhusudanan, R., and Ward, M. (2021). Understanding Just Transitions In Coal-Dependent Communities Case Studies from Mpumalanga, South Africa, and Jharkhand, India. The Center for Strategic and International Studies & Climate Investment Funds. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/355900607_UNDERSTANDING_JUST_TRANSITIONS_IN_COAL-DEPENDENT_COMMUNITIES_Case_Studies_from_Mpumalanga_South_Africa_and_Jharkhand_India.

Parliamentary Monitoring Group. (2022). Status of Waste Management in South Africa. https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/34368/.

Parliamentary Monitoring Group. (2022). Written responses for the PCEFF held on 18 February 2022: Status of Mpumalanga Municipal IWMPs. https://static.pmg.org.za/Appendix_A_Table_1a-i_Status_of_Provincial_Specific_Municipal_IWMPs_v3....pdf.

Radzililani, T. W. (2019). The Quality of Integrated Waste Management Plans for Metropolitan Municipalities in South Africa (Doctoral dissertation, North-West University (South Africa)).

Republic of South Africa. (2008). National Environmental Management Act: Waste Act (Act No. 59 of 2008). Cape Town: Government Printers.

ReSource. (2021). Turning drums into dustbins. https://issuu.com/glen.t/docs/resource_nov_2021/s/13940743.

Rodić, L., & Wilson, D. C. (2017). Resolving governance issues to achieve priority sustainable development goals related to solid waste management in developing countries. Sustainability, 9(3), 404.

Sakr, D., Baas, L., El-Haggar, S., & Huisingh, D. (2011). Critical success and limiting factors for eco-industrial parks: global trends and Egyptian context. Journal of Cleaner Production, 19(11), 1158-1169.

Sharma, H. B., Vanapalli, K. R., Samal, B., Cheela, V. S., Dubey, B. K., & Bhattacharya, J. (2021). Circular economy approach in solid waste management system to achieve UN-SDGs: Solutions for post-COVID recovery. Science of the Total Environment, 800, 149605.

Statistics South Africa. (2016). Community Survey 2016 Provincial Profile Mpumalanga. https://cs2016.statssa.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/CS_2016_profile_Mpumalanga.pdf .

Steve Tshwete Local Municipality. (2024). Integrated Waste Management Plan. https://stlm.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/STEVE-TSHWETE-IWMP-DRAFT-final.pdf.

Stucki, J., Flammini, A., van Beers, D., Phuong, T. T., Tram Anh, N., Dong, T. D., ... & Hieu, V. T. M. (2019). Eco-industrial park (EIP) development in Viet Nam: Results and key insights from UNIDO’s EIP project (2014–2019). Sustainability, 11(17), 4667.

Tam, V. W. (2008). On the effectiveness in implementing a waste-management-plan method in construction. Waste management, 28(6), 1072-1080.

Thaba Chweu Local Municipality. (2021). Integrated Waste Management Plan.

Thembisile Hani Local Municipality. (n.d.). Integrated Waste Management Plan.

Tsheleza, V., Nakin, M. D., Ndhleve, S., Kabiti, H. M., & Musampa, C. M. (2019). Vulnerability of growing cities to solid waste-related environmental hazards: The case of Mthatha, South Africa. Jamba: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies, 11(1), 1-10.

Tutunchian, S., & Altınbaş, M. (2023). Assessment of an appropriate integrated waste management plan targeting the Circular Economy based on the LCA method. Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management, 25(1), 456-478.

United Nations Environment Programme. (2018). Africa Waste Management Outlook. https://www.industrialefficiency.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Africa-WMO-Report_full.pdf.

United Nations Vietnam. (2019). Eco-industrial Park – a sustainable approach for Vietnam’s industrial development. https://vietnam.un.org/en/8455-eco-industrial-park-%E2%80%93-sustainable-approach-vietnam%E2%80%99s-industrial-development.

Valenzuela-Venegas, G., Salgado, J. C., & Díaz-Alvarado, F. A. (2016). Sustainability indicators for the assessment of eco-industrial parks: classification and criteria for selection. Journal of Cleaner Production, 133, 99-116.

Varpio, L., Paradis, E., Uijtdehaage, S., & Young, M. (2020). The distinctions between theory, theoretical framework, and conceptual framework. Academic medicine, 95(7), 989-994.

Venter, N., & Hoffman, M. (2021). THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INTRAPRENEURIAL WASTE MANAGERS IN THE FUTURE OF SOUTH AFRICA. A CONCEPT PAPER. Journal of Entrepreneurial Innovations, 2(1).

Victor Khanye Local Municipality. (2009). Integrated Waste Management Plan.

Ward, M., Sharma, N. and Searight, H. (2020). Supporting just transitions in South Africa. https://www.cif.org/sites/cif_enc/files/knowledge-documents/supporting_just_transitions_in_south_africa_summary.pdf.

World Commission on Environment and Development. (1987). Our Common Future. New York: Oxford University Press.