CAPE TOWN – The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is calling on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs/SMMEs) operating in the waste economy with a valid CIPC number to register with the newly established Waste Economy Enterprises Repository of South Africa (WEERSA).
The Ministry noted that the lack of a centralized, up-to-date, user-friendly repository severely limits the ability of policymakers and stakeholders to access critical sector information, develop evidence-based interventions, allocate resources efficiently, and provide targeted support to MSMEs/SMMEs in the waste economy.
Owned by the Department, WEERSA is a smart web and mobile-based national directory solution designed to map, connect and support MSMEs/SMMEs operating in the waste sector across South Africa.
WEERSA is a reliable, comprehensive and easily accessible database of waste economy companies, established to address the long-standing challenge of obtaining reliable and comprehensive data on companies in the waste economy sector. Both formal and informal enterprises play an important role in the waste economy sector, thereby strengthening sector coordination, informed decision-making and inclusive economic growth.
The main objectives of WEERSA are:
Accurately register and maintain a repository of MSMEs in the waste sector. Serves as a source of accurate information in the waste sector. Provide information on funding and empowerment opportunities to MSMEs. Acts as a link between key players in the waste sector.
The Department encourages all small and medium-sized enterprises/SMMEs in the waste sector to register with WEERSA and become part of a network that supports the development and transformation of South Africa's waste economy.
The WEERSA system will go live on Friday 26 June 2026 and can be accessed via the following link: (https://weersa.environment.gov.za/).
