Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed installation of a Hydroclave medical waste treatment plant in Butterworth (Eastern Cape)
According to the Business Plan developed by Aesthetic Waste Services the public hospitals in the Eastern Cape at present do not have an access to any waste disposal technology other than incineration. Incineration is a potential environmental hazard due to the emission of potentially toxic gases. As result other methods of dealing with medical waste are being investigated and implemented.
Recognizing this need, Aesthetic Waste Services (AWS) propose to provide a modernized medical waste management service to the health care industry in the Eastern Cape. Their service will be based on the hydroclave principle, utilizing a concept designed in Canada by Hydroclave Systems Corporation. This technology has been found to be effective in sterilizing the waste, hence ensuring that it is not "hazardous" or a risk to human health.
The proposed installation of a Hydroclave medical waste treatment plant will be within an existing factory owned by Eastern Cape Development Corporation, that being the old Tramatex Building (erf 4948) in the Ibika industrial area in Butterworth. Ninham Shand Consulting Services has been appointed by Aesthetic Waste Services to undertake the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed project.
Current Project Phase
The Draft Scoping Report was distributed for comment in April 2006 and the Report was finalised for submission to the Department of Economic Affairs, Environment and Tourism (DEAET) for review and decision making. The Record of Decision was issued in November 2007, an appeal was lodged in January 2008 and was then resolved in February 2009
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