The Benefits of eWASA’s One-Stop-Shop Model
The business landscape has evolved significantly over the past two to three decades. Beyond the evident advancements in technology and the rise of the internet, today’s enterprises are increasingly attuned to environmental sustainability. The enactment of South Africa’s national Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law in 2021 has introduced new considerations for business owners.
If your business falls under the EPR framework, it is essential to acknowledge the environmental impact of your products and proactively develop strategies to mitigate this pollution. Compliance now necessitates participation in an EPR scheme, a commitment to enhancing your production processes, and active engagement in recycling initiatives.
The most efficient path to achieving these objectives is through collaboration with a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO). By joining eWASA, you gain access to a comprehensive suite of resources and support designed to streamline your compliance efforts and enhance your sustainability practices.
About the eWASA PRO
EPR applies to six main industries, and as such, most PROs focus on one specific area. eWASA on the other hand, has access to compliance experts for five of the six sectors and can handle EPR for these. This “one-stop-shop” model is beneficial for producers who operate within more than one industry and have more complex reporting needs.
It’s also beneficial for businesses that want to expand into new markets someday. As the national EPR regulations extend to more industries, eWASA will follow suit. Working with us gives you a single touchpoint for all things EPR.
Administrative Benefits
To comply with EPR regulations, you need to keep track of how the volume of identified products many goods and how much packaging you sell by weight. Then you should monitor how much you collect for recycling. You also have to conduct life cycle assessments, run take-back schemes, submit performance reports, and do a whole host of other administrative tasks.
eWASA’s model is designed to take all this off your shoulders. We handle all the paperwork involved with EPR so you can focus on what you do best – running your business. The administrative support you get as a member includes:
- Prepare and submit audited performance reports to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) on your behalf.
- Research and development into new and existing end-markets.
- Co-operate and engage with municipalities
- Performance monitoring on collection and recycling targets.
Cost Benefits
Of course, running an EPR scheme is not free and there will always be costs involved for producers. According to the EPR regulations, these costs are based on the cost of establishing new collection systems for the identified waste streams and the subsequent collection, transport, and treatment costs. They may also account for the cost of raising awareness and getting the public involved in take-back schemes.
eWASA caters for many different types of producers, which helps us keep our EPR fees affordable. Producers may find that working with one DFFE-registered PRO is cheaper than joining multiple EPR schemes for each product category they sell. For example, an electronics importer who joins eWASA can get EPR compliance for their products and packaging under one roof.
Additionally, our members are eligible for fee rebates when they provide compliant reports detailing material collection from other producer members. Finally, apart from lower EPR fees and rebates, our one-stop-shop model may have indirect cost-saving benefits for your business. For example, our expert account managers can answer all your EPR questions quickly and accurately, helping you save time and money on hiring outside consultants and advisories.
Passing on the Benefits to Your Customers
Businesses do not work in isolation – we are all part of the economic web. That means everything you do behind the scenes will ultimately affect your customers. You might find yourself having to increase your prices to help you pay for EPR. But when you have a cost-friendly PRO on your side like eWASA, the burden will not be as big as you feared.
Plus, you can take advantage of our many customer-facing offerings. eWASA has been running take-back schemes and recycling campaigns long before EPR was mandatory. As pioneers of EPR in South Africa, we have always based our work on a personal passion for the environment. When you become a member, your clients can participate in our not-for-profit initiatives, helping you foster customer loyalty and build a strong brand image.
Joining eWASA Has Additional Perks
eWASA is a hub for everything EPR-related above and beyond basic compliance. We want to support our members in any way we can and joining our network is like having a group of personal advisors on hand. Here’s what else you get when you become a member of our PRO:
- Access to a professional network of industry experts
- Join networking events, talks, webinars, and debates
- Stay in the know on new legislation that may affect your business
- Take part in grassroots campaigns to push for better laws and regulations
- Join working groups where you can ask questions and get daily support
Our memberships are also open to waste management companies, community groups, and municipalities – not just producers. This is how we build a well-rounded network of diverse voices to help you in our EPR journey. We’ve been a registered PRO since 2008 and represent over 30 major brands, including Land Rover, Multichoice, and Johnson & Johnson. Being affiliated with eWASA is a step towards building the same trust and credibility for your business.
Become a Member Today
For more information about our memberships or EPR in general, you are welcome to get in touch. Drop us an email or give us a call, and we’ll get back to you. If you’re ready to become a member and don’t need any more convincing, you can fill out an application form here.
