Eddie Hanekom obtained an National Higher Diploma in Public Health at the University of the Free State. He was the Director Waste Management at the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning and retired in October 2021. He is currently enjoying retirement and is still doing consulting work on the side in environmental health and management as well as in the integrated waste management field. He has more than 41 years' experience in the environmental management and health field. Eddie is passionate that waste is an important secondary resource that should be utilised.