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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Treat and process waste 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
264475  Treat and process waste 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Environmental Science, Env Mgt and Waste Mgt 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences Environmental Sciences 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  8 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This is one of four standards that constitute specialisation in waste management. The treatment and processing of waste is an integral aspect of waste management, which is an important part of environmental management. The treatment and processing of waste is one of the key functions of a learner who embarks on this specialisation stream. The learner will be able to explain the terminology and principles pertaining to the treatment and processing of waste and discuss the regulatory requirements and potential impacts related to the treatment and processing of waste.

Learners credited with this standard will be capable of:
  • Explaining the terminology and principles pertaining to the treatment and processing of waste.
  • Explaining the activities and resources related to the treatment and processing of waste.
  • Applying regulatory requirements and performance standards for the treatment and processing of waste.
  • Identifying and describing the potential impacts or environmental risks associated with deviations from performance standards. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication at NQF Level 4.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Includes but not limited to recycling, transfer stations, heat treatment, biological, chemical and physical treatment, co-disposal. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain the terminology and principles pertaining to the treatment and processing of waste. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Key terminology used in the treatment and processing of waste is explained in terms of its unique meaning. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Terminology includes but is not limited to definitions.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Key principles as applicable to the treatment and processing of waste are explained as the basis for expansion of knowledge in this sector. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain the activities and resources related to treatment and processing of waste. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The activities related to the treatment and processing of waste are described in a manner that illustrates the importance of each of these aspects in the waste management sector. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Suitable methods of treatment and processing of waste are determined from the range of options available. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The most appropriate option is selected to ensure the financial viability of the exercise. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
    Option refers to the best Practicable Environmental Option (BPEO) as defined in the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA). 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Apply regulatory requirements and performance standards for the treatment and processing of waste. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The relevant legislation pertaining to the treatment and processing of waste is identified and explained in terms of how it can be used to demonstrate controls for health and safety. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Legislation includes but is not limited to SANS codes, government guidelines.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The applicable performance standards are identified and described to indicate national targets. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Existing practices are applied and evaluated against applicable performance standards to ensure compliance with the national standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Recommendations are made to meet expected standards and corrective action is taken to ensure health and safety. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Recommendations includes but is not limited to level of service.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Identify and describe the potential impacts or environmental risks associated with deviations from performance standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Potential environmental hazards are identified to provide a comprehensive picture of the challenges in the treatment and processing of waste. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The environmental consequences of the potential impacts are explained in terms of the possible damage that will be caused and the costs involved. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The manner in which consequences can be prevented, controlled or mitigated is explained and appropriate pre-emptive measures applied to maintain health and safety. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the ETQA policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments at exit points of the qualification, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual unit standards as well as the integrated competence described in the qualification. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Regulatory framework pertaining to the treatment and processing of waste.
  • Activities and resources related to the treatment and processing of waste.
  • Methods of treating and processing waste.
  • Potential impact of deviations from performance standards. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made when:
  • Selecting the best option for treating and processing waste. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community in:
  • Treating and processing waste. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsively and effectively by:
  • Considering the various options for treating and collecting waste.
  • Evaluating existing practices against performance standards.
  • Taking corrective action to maintain health and safety. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information to:
  • Select the best option for treating and collecting waste.
  • Determine the best mode of treating and processing waste.
  • Evaluate existing practice against performance standards.
  • Pre-empt the appearance of hazards. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation when:
  • Making recommendations. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology to treat and process waste efficiently. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  66789   National Certificate: Environmental Management  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  LG SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Giamanje TVET College 
    2. IQ Skills Academy (PTY) LTD. 
    3. Jobafrik Consulting 
    4. Josmap Training Institute 
    5. PFIM Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    6. Reflections Development Institute 
    7. Thando Consulting Services 
    8. Vhutshilo Health And Training Organisation 
    9. Wildlife and Enviroment Society of South Africa 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.