Experience

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  African Circular Economy Network

  • South Africa
  • Think Tanks
  • 1 - 100 Employee

  • Co-Founder

    • 2015 - Present

    The African Circular Economy Network (ACEN) is a registered Non-Profit Organisation in South Africa (195-590 NPO). Our vision is to build a restorative African economy that generates well-being and prosperity inclusive of all its people through new forms of economic production and consumption which maintain and regenerate its environmental resources. We do this through:ResearchThe research activities of the ACEN will investigate issues, document findings relevant for the African context and its needs. Researchers will be drawn from ACEN members, academics and other stakeholder partners across Africa, but also Europe, Asia or America where needed.Training and AwarenessThe priority of ACEN is to raise awareness and undertake training amongst key sectors of the African economy: public (government, educational institutions), private (corporates & SMEs), and civil society (non-governmental organisations) to promote the concept, benefits, principles and practice of the Circular Economy.Networking and EventsACEN believes that solutions to current challenges require inter-disciplinary skills, multiple stakeholder involvement and regional, African as well as international partnerships. ACEN therefore aims to create platforms where specialists can collaborate to exchange ideas, experiences and solutions. We have hosted several stakeholder engagements to date to enable a global reach. We have had members join the discussion from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (UK), Pavia University (Italy), the South African/European Union Partnership (South Africa), the World Economic Forum (Switzerland) and Green Alliance (UK) to name a few international participants.Knowledge SharingACEN currently disseminates and shares knowledge about the circular economy through LinkedIn and Facebook, and in the future, will also use other online channels to develop a strong base of knowledge and information and extend its reach throughout Africa.www.acen.africa

  • Co-Founder

    • Jun 2016 - Present

    The African Circular Economy Network (ACEN) is a registered Non-Profit Organisation in South Africa (195-590 NPO). Our vision is to build a restorative African economy that generates well-being and prosperity inclusive of all its people through new forms of economic production and consumption which maintain and regenerate its environmental resources. We do this through:ResearchThe research activities of the ACEN will investigate issues, document findings relevant for the African context and its needs. Researchers will be drawn from ACEN members, academics and other stakeholder partners across Africa, but also Europe, Asia or America where needed.Training and AwarenessThe priority of ACEN is to raise awareness and undertake training amongst key sectors of the African economy: public (government, educational institutions), private (corporates & SMEs), and civil society (non-governmental organisations) to promote the concept, benefits, principles and practice of the Circular Economy.Networking and EventsACEN believes that solutions to current challenges require inter-disciplinary skills, multiple stakeholder involvement and regional, African as well as international partnerships. ACEN therefore aims to create platforms where specialists can collaborate to exchange ideas, experiences and solutions. We have hosted several stakeholder engagements to date to enable a global reach. We have had members join the discussion from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (UK), Pavia University (Italy), the South African/European Union Partnership (South Africa), the World Economic Forum (Switzerland) and Green Alliance (UK) to name a few international participants.Knowledge SharingACEN currently disseminates and shares knowledge about the circular economy through LinkedIn and Facebook, and in the future, will also use other online channels to develop a strong base of knowledge and information and extend its reach throughout Africa

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  EnviroSense CC

  • Director

    • Dec 1999 - Present

    After completing Chemical Engineering studies in Germany Susanne Karcher started her "one woman only" company EnviroSense CC (an Environmental Consultancy) in Cape Town in 1999. Her company specialises in the planning, development and facilitation of tailor-made governmental, industrial/commercial and residential “Integrated Resource and Waste Management” programmes. This includes the identification of resource consumption baselines following a triple bottom line evaluation of all relevant social, economic and natural system impacts for the formulation of individual solutions towards waste minimisation and pollution prevention.An improved environmental performance, financial savings, job creation from waste opportunities and better operational efficiency are achieved through lateral system based thinking and the continuous application of Cleaner Production, Zero Waste and Sustainable Consumption ideas and principles. As a result of the company’s cutting edge practical work experience in applied waste minimisation and strategic planning Susanne is regularly invited to conferences, waste summits, industrial AGMs and tertiary institutions as a guest lecturer/key note speaker where she willingly and passionately shares her knowledge and expertise on a large and diverse range of pollution, resource/waste management and sustainability issues. In 2011 she obtained the qualifications of a SETA accredited assessor and facilitator and has recently contracted by the IWMSA for SETA accredited waste management training purposes.

  • Managing Director

    • Jan 2014 - Sep 2015

    TV interviews about the SAEWA and e-waste on ENCAAuthor for Alive2Green “Zero Vision Handbook” on the role of EPR in the e-waste recycling industryRevision and Redesign of PETCO Recycling Fact Sheets Rewriting (as co-author) of IWMSA Non-Accredited Training Course MaterialOrganised Fact Finding Tour about WC based Swap Shops and other cutting edge private sector waste reduction activities (Lonmin Platinum)Assisted J&G with Waste Reduction Assessment for IVECO Assisted J&G with Cleaner Production Audit for Muffin Mate Assisted with NCPC CP audits for Dry Ice and Damaak Property Mgmt.Development of Cleaner Production Training Material for Property ManagersGraphic evaluation of Western Cape Municipal Recycling systems survey (GreenEdge)Presentation of SAEWA paper at WasteCon 2014 and introduction of Affiliation Tier 0 status for non-compliant e-waste operatorsElected as Chairman of SAEWA on the Steerco to drive the e-Waste IndWMP finalisation and implementation for submission to the DEATV interview about e-waste on SABC2 Hectic 9-Nine Youth Show Development of contents for South Africa’s first on-line waste and materials management training course (IWMSA)Co-organize and facilitate Magic Mystery Tours for the CPUT Food Science Dept.Elected by the DEA as SAEWA representative into Steerco team responsible for the amendment and submission of the future WEEE IndWMPCo-author for the development of a South African Industrial Symbiosis Strategy (GreenCape)Market research, stakeholder analysis and summary report of e-waste related legislation for major US based OEM of smartphones and tablets/PCs (via Swiss based consultancy SOFIES)Assisted J&G with NCPC funded Cleaner Production Audit for Donkin FansStrategic Proposal for the introduction of e-Waste recycling at WC based transfer stations (J&G) Invited as SAEWA organizer to attend the SRI Roundtable at the World Resources Forum in Davos, Switzerland (14-16 October 2015)

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  Circular Economy Club

  • London

  • CE Project Mentor at the Circular Economy Club

    • Aug 2017 - Present
    • London

    "The Circular Economy Club (CEC) is the international network of circular economy professionals and organisations. As a Circular Economy Mentor at CEC I mainly give advice to SMEs and projects that are willing to: implement integrated resource and waste minimisation strategies."

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  EnviroSense CC

  • Southern Africa and West Africa

  • Managing Director

    • 2010 - 2013
    • Southern Africa and West Africa

    Re-assessment of the MSA Section 78(3) for the City of Cape Town towards Waste Minimisation options (Technical and Stakeholder Engagement input)NCPC training and auditing on Cleaner Production for the South African Automotive Supplies IndustryCo-authored US Aid funded Status Quo report for responsible management and disposal of pharmaceutical waste in NamibiaAppointed for the Integrated Waste Management in Western Africa project (EU UNEP Seven Frameworks Programme)Evaluation of textile dye chemicals for SvenmillsEvaluation of laundry and cleaning chemicals for the Vineyard HotelArticle Waste Revolution Handbook (1) : e-waste management in South AfricaAppointed for Waste Wise (2010-2013) as part of the J&G consortiumAppointed by GTZ Germany to assist with an MTN driven e-waste projectObtained ETDP SETA accreditation for “Assessor Obtained ETDP SETA accreditation for “FacilitatorElected chairwoman for DEA&DPs newly formed Western Cape Recycling Action Group aimed at stimulating local private sector recycling activitiesFinalised activities in June 2013 as project team member responsible for promoting sponsorships and partnerships as well as business education (e.g. by-laws) in the City of Cape WasteWise campaign Subcontracted by SEA for NCPC Cleaner Production audits in guesthousesSubcontracted by J&G to assist in the Development of Technical Specifications for the City of Cape Town’s Green Procurement programmeAppointed by Hotel Verde to develop an Operational Materials Management Plan and supplier score cards geared at “Zero Waste to LandfillAppointed by GIZ to develop (in Phase 2) e-waste guidebooks for collectors, SME businesses and companies wishing to introduce an ISO 14001 light version of an EMSInvited as a discussion panellist at PlasticSA’s first international plastics conference in March 2013 which was moderated by Ruda Landman (Carte Blanche)TV based public e-waste education on the SABC3 Expresso Show

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  EnviroSense CC

  • Director

    • Jan 2007 - Jan 2009

    Project Locations:Southern Africa (Namibia, South Africa)Development of a collection strategy for Household Hazardous Waste Management (including e-waste) for the Western Cape Province (DEA&DP)Development of a Green Procurement Policy and Implementation Programme for the Western Cape Government (DEA&DP)Development of a collection strategy for Compact Fluorescent Tubes in the Western Cape (ESKOM)Development of waste and green procurement criteria for a green rating system for hotels in South Africa (Sustainable Energy Africa) Monitoring and Evaluation of the Swiss Hewlett Packard funded e-Waste Recovery Facility in Cape Town ( HP/EMPA/Digital Solidarity Fund) Review of the Integrated Waste Management Plan of the Northern Province towards developing waste minimisation strategies (Jeffares & Green)Development of waste minimisation specific guidelines as part of the FIFA Worldcup 2010 Event Greening initiativeDevelopment of waste minimisation strategies as part of LONMIN Platinum’s Integrated Waste Management Plan (Golder)Assisting in the development of the City of Windhoek’s future Integrated Waste Management Legislation and Policies (Jeffares & Green)Wastetrail audit of hazardous wastes including oily wastes from diamond ships for De Beers Marine NamibaEnvironmental Management Training for CoCT Solid Waste managersFeb 2004-2009: Assistance with the development of an industry driven e-waste management plan for South Africa (appointed eWASA coordinator Western Cape)

  • Director

    • Jan 2003 - Jan 2007

    Location:South AfricaDevelopment of City of Cape Town Integrated Waste Management Plan. Co-author of both the Waste Minimisation and Waste Education chapters Co-Author: Status Quo Report of Cleaner Production in RSA (DEAT)Management of Stellenbosch Municipality Blue Bag ProjectHotel audits for DEA&DP’s “Cleaner Production in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry” pilot project including development of fact sheets, compilation of tertiary training material etcInput into KwaZulu Natal Draft Prevention and Management of Waste Bill with regard to waste minimization strategiesTechnical adviser and waste minimisation specialist for the Rustenburg Municipality IWMPSubcontracted by UCT as specialist consultant to develop DEA&DP’s Waste Action Plan as part of the Environmental Minister's Sustainable Development Implementation Plan (SDIP) for the Western CapeAppointed by Pikitup to develop an action oriented Strategic Roadmap towards reaching Polokwane targetsAssisting Woolworth with their “Good Business Journey” by developing an integrated waste management strategy for their headquarter and presenting packaging waste minimisation strategies at various in-house conferences to their packaging suppliersDevelopment of a Hazardous Waste Manifest for harbor based oily wastes for De Beers Marine

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  City of Cape Town

  • Waste Reduction Advisor

    • Jan 1999 - Jan 2003

    Developed first South African Integrated Waste Exchange website for the City of Cape Town at www.capetown.gov.za/iwexAssisted in development of “Integrated Waste Management Strategy“ plan for Canal Walk shopping centre complex and other commercial/industrial locationsCo-Author of CSIR’s Green Buildings for Africa official guideline and training manual for Office Waste ReductionStart up of four City of Cape Town subsidized pilot WMC programmes (Civic Centre, Blue Route Shopping Mall, Plastic Industry, Retail Motor Industry) and running of the Plastic Industry Waste Minimisation ClubReceived Impumelelo Star Award for successful facilitation of the Waste Exchange and the effects on poverty alleviationStart up and management of the Yellow Bag Household Waste Separation Programme in Marina da Gama as a pilot for City of CTInitiation of the Parow Industria “ Dare to Dream Campaign“ including start up of a local Waste Minimisation ClubTechnical Input (Industry & Commerce) for compilation of the City of Cape Town “State of Energy Report” and Cape Town Energy Strategy Draft

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  Peninsula Technikon

  • Junior Researcher

    • Jan 1997 - Jan 1999

    LocationWestern Cape; BellvilleCompany; Supervision of B-Tech students, exploration of biotechnological pollution remediation, control and clean-up options and maintenance of water testing laboratory