This study aimed to understand the root causes for the dominance of landfilling as a waste management option in South Africa and to identify relevant solutions for addressing the issues and increasing the diversion of waste from landfills toward alternative waste management options.

The focus was on identifying economic instruments that the national government can implement to create incentives for reducing waste from landfills. In this respect, a guideline was developed for the national government to guide the selection, design and implementation of such instruments.

In addition, the project also looked more broadly at the range of actions required by all relevant role-players to move up the waste hierarchy and transition toward a circular economy in South Africa