From July 8-10, 2025, RETech participated as part of the strategic partnership with the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) in this year’s edition of IFAT Africa in Johannesburg, South Africa. The engagement included a booth at the German Pavilion as well as active contributions to the Orange Stage conference program.
The week began with insightful side visits, including a tour of one of Johannesburg’s largest landfills, operated by ENVIRONSERV, and a visit to a local green waste drop-off point. These site visits, organized with support from the local branch expert Rishel Dharmapall from the German Business Network Africa, provided valuable insights into local waste management practices and allowed for direct exchange with diverse stakeholders.
During the three-day trade fair, RETech members engaged in numerous discussions at the booth and contributed to three different sessions on the Orange Stage. It became clear that interest in waste management and circular economy topics is growing significantly across the region.
South Africa already has strong regulatory frameworks in place—especially regarding Circular Economy and EPR—but implementation remains key, as emphasized during the EPR panel discussion.
Many promising initiatives are starting small but are steadily gaining recognition. The sector is moving toward higher societal acceptance and increased appreciation for related professions. Beyond recycling, in particular, organic waste treatment and biogas production are gaining momentum.
To increase the visibility and impact of RETech and its members, this year’s participation included a new approach: member companies were not only involved in panel discussions, but also actively staffed the RETech booth. This model enabled more targeted and productive engagement with local and international stakeholders.
RETech looks forward to continuing its collaboration with international partners at future IFAT events and beyond, working together toward a more circular and sustainable economy.
