Namwaste Launches Namibia’s First Fully Compliant Hazardous Waste Management Facility
Namwaste (Pty) Ltd, a subsidiary of Rent‑A‑Drum (Pty) Ltd and part of the Séché Environnement
Group, announces the start of operations at the Namwaste Management Facility (NMF), Namibia’s
first fully compliant general and hazardous waste management site.
Located 17 km northwest of Arandis, the NMF addresses the country’s longstanding shortage of
compliant hazardous waste infrastructure and supports the needs of the industrial, mining, and
emerging oil and gas sectors.
The approval of the project and the granting of the Environmental Clearance Certificate from the
Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, on 5 March 2025, followed the full process of
undertaking a comprehensive and detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), including all
required specialist studies, in full compliance with the requirements and provisions of the
Environmental Management Act (EMA).
Since its inception, the project has garnered strong and consistent support from key stakeholders.
Quote from Gaby Schneider, the Director of the Namibian Uranium Institute:
“The launch of Namibia’s first fully compliant hazardous waste management facility marks a
transformative step forward for the uranium sector in particular—where strict environmental
stewardship and transparent waste management are an integral part of the operational culture.
By ensuring that hazardous waste is handled safely, responsibly, and in line with global standards,
Namwaste is strengthening Namibia’s competitiveness and reinforcing our long-standing commitment
to sustainable resource development.”
The first load of hazardous waste has been successfully transported to the site, marking the official
start of temporary storage operations. Activities will continue to scale in the coming months, driven
by urgent national needs and the strong commitment of industry partners to responsible and
sustainable waste management.
A New Foundation for National Hazardous Waste Regulation
With a fully compliant facility now in operation, Namibia is equipped for the first time with an
end-to-end solution covering hazardous waste collection, transport, tracking, treatment and storage.
This enables the Environmental Commissioner, Timo Mufeti, to establish a modern, enforceable
regulatory framework aligned with international standards—ensuring traceability of waste from origin
to final storage and strengthening national control systems.
He says: “The start of operations at this fully compliant facility provides Namibia with the essential
foundation needed to regulate hazardous waste responsibly. For the first time, we can build and
enforce a national framework that ensures safe collection, controlled transport with full traceability,
and environmentally sound disposal. This marks a significant step forward in strengthening Namibia’s
environmental governance and protecting our natural resources.”
This milestone marks a major step forward for Namibia, providing the country with the infrastructure
and regulatory foundation needed to manage hazardous waste safely and sustainably. As operations
expand, Namwaste will continue working alongside industry and authorities to ensure long-term
environmental protection and responsible national development.
“After a thorough two‑year Environmental Impact Assessment process, the approval of the
Environmental Clearance Certificate one year ago marked a major achievement for this project. Our
teams have managed every stage with discipline and transparency, ensuring full compliance with
international requirements. This milestone confirmed the robustness of the project and enables us to
move confidently into operational growth”, said Riaan Vermeulen, Managing Director.
Legend of the photo
The Namwaste Management Team standing alongside the first hazardous waste storage cell.
Names of the people on the photo, from left to right:
– Antonieta Elao, HSE Manager
– Winnie Ramaru, Waste Acceptance Manager
– Riaan Vermeulen, Managing Director
– Thierry Provendier, COO of Namwaste
– Stefan Dorfling, General Manager
– Eduan Louw, Acting Commercial Manager
– Wongama Dandala, Site and Project Manager
