Academic literature on the topic 'Integrated solid waste management – South Africa – Gauteng'

A survey was conducted in local municipalities in the Tshwane region of Gauteng Province in South Africa in order to assess and evaluate the efficiency with which municipal waste is collected, disposed of, processed and recycled by local municipalities in Tshwane based on data gathered from 1,035 businesses. Efficiency in waste management was assessed by using a structural time-based model designed for evaluating efficiency as a function of the length of time required to manage and process municipal waste. Adherence to municipal bylaws and procedures recommended for solid waste management by businesses by the City of Tshwane was graded based on ISO 14000 and ISO 14031 standards and guidelines. The study found that efficiency in waste management was adversely influenced by lack of adherence to municipal bylaws and regulations, wrong perception on the benefits of proper waste management, and failure to provide customers with waste disposal bins, in a decreasing order of importance. Keywords: Tshwane municipalities, waste management, efficiency, logit analysis. JEL Classification: Q53, C25

In a semi-arid water scarce country like South Africa, the efficient use of limited water resources and measures to extend the service value of these resources is a prerequisite for achieving sustainable development. The conventional supply-sided management approach to water supply causes increased wastewater generation with accompanied increased pollution loads requiring higher levels of mitigation environmental pollution. Where disposal of wastewater treatment effluent takes place in rivers and natural water bodies, the lack of adequate natural compensating capacity of such water bodies typically result in severe ecological damage of the aquatic environment. With a shift of emphasis to a sustainable demand side management approach (as opposed to a supply side one), the avoidance of water wastage and high wastewater generation represents both resource conservation and environmental protection friendly approaches and contribute to overall sustainability. The integrated nature of water supply and wastewater management systems require an approach that considers these systems holistically. A new paradigm for water management is therefore needed to ensure that the issues of waste disposal and pollution are dealt with in a sustainable manner taking into account the emerging objectives of modern society for resource conservation and environmental protection.A balance therefore has to be found between the uses of additional fresh water resources as a means of satisfying en ever increasing water demand on the one hand and alternative unconventional resource exploration and employment, without the risk of depletion of natural available fresh water resource flow, irreversible harm to the environment and social and economic constraints.This paper explores wastewater and grey water reuse as unconventional resources in a qualitative manner within this balancing equation. It further proposes a methodology for deriving monetary indicator values for wastewater reuse by internalising negative environmental impacts. This is achieved through application of Lagrangian optimisation of the treatment plant production function (output distance function) for deriving marginal prices of contaminant removal and resulting avoided pollution.

Waste management has become pertinent in urban regions, along with rapid population growth. The current ways of managing waste, such as refuse collection and recycling, are failing to minimise waste in cities. With urban populations growing worldwide, there is the challenge of increased pressure to import food from rural areas. Urban agriculture not only presents an opportunity to explore other means of sustainable food production, but for managing organic waste in cities. However, this opportunity is not taken advantage of. Besides, there is a challenge of mixed reactions from urban planners and policymakers concerning the challenges and benefits presented by using organic waste in urban agriculture. The current paper explores the perceived challenges and opportunities for organic waste utilisation and management through urban agriculture in the Durban South Basin in eThekwini Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Province of South Africa. It is anticipated that this information will be of use to the eThekwini Municipality, policymakers, researchers, urban agriculture initiatives, households and relevant stakeholders in the study areas and similar contexts globally. Two hundred (200) households involved in any urban farming activity and ten (10) key informants (six (6) staff from the Cleaning and Solid Waste Unit of the eThekwini Municipality and four (4) from the urban agricultural initiative) were selected using convenient sampling. Descriptive statistics and inductive thematic analysis were used to analyse data. The significant perceived challenges and risks associated with the utilisation of organic waste through urban agriculture included lack of a supporting policy, climatic variation, lack of land tenure rights, soil contamination and food safety concerns. Qualitative data further showed that the difficulty in segregating waste, water scarcity, difficulty in accessing inputs, limited transportation of organic waste, inadequate handling and treatment of organic waste, and being a health hazard were some important challenges. On the other hand, the significant perceived benefits associated with the utilisation of organic waste through urban agriculture were enhanced food and nutrition security, and opportunities for business incubation. Other important benefits established through qualitative data were an improved market expansion for farmers and improved productivity. Overall, despite the perceived challenges and risks, there is an opportunity to manage organic waste through urban agriculture. It is imperative for an integrated policy encompassing the food, climate and waste management to be developed to support this strategy. All stakeholders—the government, municipal authorities and urban agricultural initiatives should also, guided by the policy, support urban farmers, for example, through pieces of training on how to properly manage and recycle organic waste, land distribution, inputs availability and water usage rights among other things.

Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2015.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Johannesburg generates in excess of 1 500 000 tonnes of general waste annually and has on average 10 years’ lifespan remaining on its four landfill sites. As a signatory to the Polokwane Declaration, the City of Johannesburg has recognised the need for new interventions to divert waste from landfills by various methods, such as separation at source; alternative treatment methods and the conversion of waste to energy. Progress has, however, been slow and this research aims to investigate alternative waste management techniques that can be applied in the City of Johannesburg to fast track the realisation of these targets. Using scenario planning techniques, the research considers implications for policy and management decisions in realising the best possible future in the area of waste management in Johannesburg. The scenario process was used to develop the following scenarios for waste management in Johannesburg: Long walk to freedom. Waste collection coverage includes pockets of the community where waste collections services are less than optimal. The residents of the city, particularly in these underserviced areas, are also not very knowledgeable of the impact that the waste generated within their communities can have on the environment and what alternatives there are to manage this. Pick it up. The City provides full services to a society that functions in relative oblivion of the implications of their behaviour on the environment. It is assumed to be the role of government to “pick up” after communities and dispose of waste. This scenario is oblivious of the waste hierarchy and the role communities could play in minimising waste. Wishing on a star. The city continues to have under-serviced areas, public awareness is high and this fuels correct behaviour and a mind-set shift with regard to waste management. Working together we can do more. The City optimises its service provision to cover all areas while also ensuring maximum public awareness and behaviour change with regard to waste management.

Waste-to-Energy concept becomes increasingly popular from the perspectives of the waste management and alternative energy. South Africa, which is a country heavily dependent on the fossil fuel, can explore the opportunities of Waste-to-Energy in order to deal with increasing amount of waste generated while reducing what is deposited at non-engineered landfills, thereby increase the renewable energy share. This prefeasibility study attempts to identify Waste-to-Energy potentials in Gauteng provinceso as to develop a Waste-to-Energy facility under the new renewable Independent Power Producer procurement programme of South Africa. The analysis identifies abundant Wasteto-Energy incineration and landfill gas opportunities linked with municipal solid waste in twomunicipalities. The prefeasibility study further evaluates environmental, socio-economic aspects of Waste-to-Energy initiative. The financial viability of a Waste-to-Energy incineration facility with the Feed-in-Tariff proposed by the government of South Africa isalso detailed analysed.

Municipal solid waste management systems (MSWMS) comprise of waste generation, segregation at the point of generation, collection, transportation and disposal at the landfill. The municipalities in South Africa were mandated by the constitution of the country to provide a number of basic services including solid waste management to their citizens. A rapid increase in municipal waste volumes is a problem in urban areas resulting in mushrooming illegal dumps. The aims of this study were to evaluate the municipal solid waste management system implemented by City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality in Mamelodi East, identify the challenges within the system and explain the practice of illegal dumping by residents of Mamelodi East. This was achieved through a descriptive cross sectional study which was conducted using qualitative data collection methods. The data was collected through interviews with key informants (two municipal officials and one waste removal contractor) and the waste removal process was observed and photographed. The illegal dumps were mapped and photographed and those of high public health concern were identified. A semi structured questionnaire was administered to the residents living closest to identified dump sites. The analysis revealed that the system implemented by City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality included regular door to door and communal collection of waste from the residents, transportation of collected waste to Hetherley landfill and disposal. About 21 illegal dumps were identified, mapped and photographed, and nine of them were considered to pose health risk to the residents, especially those living closest to them. It was discovered that these residents were not happy with the illegal dump next to their yards and recommend that the sites be used for beneficial purpose. Shortcomings included a lack of an updated waste management plan; lack of waste minimization strategy including the 3Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle); and lack of public awareness and involvement in waste management issues. No measures are implemented for prevention of illegal dumping and the only control measure was to clean the dump sites periodically. There is a lack of law enforcement and systems overload. The researcher concluded that the MSWMS implemented in the community of Mamelodi East was inadequate. It is recommended that the community should be involved at the planning phase and all mentioned shortcomings be addressed. The waste management legislation including policies and by-laws, need to be enforced.
Dissertation (MPH)--University of Pretoria, 2014.
tm2015
School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH)
MPH
Unrestricted

Solid waste management in South Africa has been focussing on the technical issues of waste disposal with little attention paid to the social and economic aspects of households. It is important to find out the impact of the attitude and perception of households on solid waste management, especially in low-income areas to be able to deal with the deplorabe domestic solid waste management in such areas. The quantity of solid waste generated in low-income areas is often assumed to be less than the solid waste generated in high-income neighbourhoods. In most of the townships of low-income households in Cape Town, the residents live next to mountains of solid waste which is not the case in middle and high income areas. This clearly has a negative effect on the environment and human health. Tafelsig is one of the low-income Cape Flats townships where the open spaces and green areas are dumping areas. The small yard that people own is often unclean. The aim of the study was to examine how households residing in the low-income neighbourhood (Tafelsig, Mitchell's Plain) view domestic solid waste and its management. The study explored the perceptions, attitudes and behaviour of these households towards the production and management of sold waste. Issues relating to the degradation of their environment and to solid waste mismanagement were also examined.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this research report is to investigate sustainable alternative solid waste management methods for the Drakenstein Municipal Area in particular and South African municipalities in general. The point of departure is that landfilling alone is not sustainable and that alternative and/or complementary methods are required. Current solid waste management policies and practices in various countries all over the world are investigated in order to understand the global context of municipal solid waste management. The development of solid waste management in both developed and developing countries is considered in order to appreciate the different approaches and legal frameworks underpinning each approach. Several solid waste treatment methods, both established and advanced, are considered before the development of solid waste management in South Africa since 1992 is reviewed. An important aspect of evaluating alternatives is the identification of relevant stakeholders, key drivers for success and the constraints. An important conclusion reached in the research is that the lack of funding and the inherent inability of most municipalities in South Africa to render even basic municipal services currently make the introduction of advanced solid waste treatment methods non-sustainable. It is therefore suggested that the newly developed legal framework underpinning solid waste management in South Africa, be implemented in such a manner that all stakeholders are involved in the implementation of the basic principles of the waste hierarchy. The author believes that the introduction of technologically advanced waste treatment and disposal options will be premature if the basics of the waste hierarchy are not practiced by all.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die fokus van hierdie navorsingsverslag is ‘n ondersoek na volhoubare, alternatiewe vaste afvalbestuursmetodes vir Suid-Afrikaanse munisipaliteite in die breë en die Drakenstein Munisipaliteit in die besonder. Die basiese uitganspunt is dat vaste afvalstorting alleen nie volhoubaar is nie en dat alternatiewe/komplementêre metodes nodig word. Die vaste afvalbestuursbeleid en –praktyke wat tans wêreldwyd gevolg word, word ondersoek met die doel om die globale konteks daarvan beter te verstaan. Die ontwikkeling van vaste afvalbestuur in beide ontwikkelde en ontwikkelende lande word nagevors sodat die verskillende benaderings en wetlike raamwerke wat dit onderskryf, bestudeer kan word. Verskeie vaste afvalbestuursmetodes – beide gevestig en gevorderd – word bespreek waarna die ontwikkeling van vaste afvalbestuur in Suid-Afrika sedert 1992 onder die loep kom. ‘n Belangrike aspek van toepassing op die evaluering van alternatiewe, is die identfikasie van alle rolspelers, kritiese suksesfaktore en beperkinge. ‘n Belangrike bevinding wat gemaak word, is dat die gebrek aan voldoende fondse sowel as die inherente onvermoë van meeste Suid-Afrikaanse munisipaliteite om selfs basiese munisipale dienste te kan lewer, die implementering van gevorderde vaste afvalbestuursmetodes tans onvolhoubaar maak. In die verslag word dus aanbeveel dat die nuut-ontwikkelde wetlike raamwerk wat vaste afvalbestuur in Suid-Afrika reguleer, so geïmplementeer moet word dat alle rolspelers betrek word om die afval-hiërargie se basiese beginsels prakties toe te pas. Die outeur is van mening dat die implementering van nuwe, tegnologiesgevorderde vaste afvalbsetuursmetodes sal faal indien dit geïmplementeer sou word voordat die afval hiërargie voldoende toegepas word.

Municipal solid waste management is gradually becoming a major challenge that is confronting governments in all spheres. This can be attributed to urbanisation and startling population escalation. Each and every member in a community is a contributor to this dilemma and a generator of waste. The essence of this study is to investigate whether the utilisation of education programmes can assist to improve how communities handle and dispose their household waste and its contribution to the effectiveness of the integrated solid waste management system for the New Brighton Township in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. A theoretical framework is developed using the systems theory in trying to address the challenge. The study used the qualitative research method. Data were gathered using questionnaires and face-to face interviews. The empirical survey was employed for the purposes of the study and the interpretation of the research findings were analysed and described. As a metropolitan municipality, it is envisaged that this research will assist the NMBM, to identify how to manage solid waste efficiently and effectively and thus enhancing service delivery that will ensure communities of their well-being and dignity. Various recommendations are presented, based on the findings of the study. It is hoped that these recommendations If are adopted, the NMBM will be able to deal more effectively and efficiently with the challenges that the NMBM is faced with in dealing with waste management issues thereby enabling the NMBM to deliver the most basic need to the communities of the New Brighton Townships.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science (Geography). Johannesburg, 11 June 2017.
Reclaimer integration in South Africa has been identified as a priority, but how to integrate reclaimers remains a challenge. Crucially, there is not yet a coherent approach or a clear understanding of what reclaimer integration means in South Africa, let alone whether this same understanding of integration is shared by the reclaimers who are being integrated. By focusing on the integration initiatives of the Environment and Infrastructure Services Department (EISD) and Pikitup, this thesis conducts a comparative study of two reclaimer integration projects in Johannesburg. It investigates the breakdown and mismatch of understandings between social actors who do not share the same view of integration and implications thereof. In doing so, it contributes to discourse on the transformation of Johannesburg’s waste management system. Social constructivism theory by Berger and Luckmann (1966) provides the theoretical grounding for this dissertation by exploring how different milieus and experiences shape people’s understanding of realities. Findings illustrate that there is no clear conceptualisation of integration that underpins waste management policy. Drawing on social constructivism theory, the paper concludes that integration is a socially constructed and contested concept. Essentially, there are inconsistent understandings of integration among different groups of reclaimers as well as officials. For that reason, integration programmes created a new form of exclusion and imposed negative effects on reclaimers. KEYWORDS: Integration, Reclaimers, Waste, Policy, Recycling, cooperatives
LG2018

Based on literature review, statistics of waste management at ports in South Africa is hard to come by. The research critically assessed the current waste management practices at Transnet National Ports Authority. Transnet National Ports Authority, Port of Richards Bay (TNPA RCB) was used as a case study to examine the different types and quantities of waste produced, analysing the current waste management model as well as determining TNPA RCB compliance to pertinent waste legislation. A 10 day waste audit was conducted to obtain quantitative data and to identify the different types of waste generated. The baseline data resulting from the waste audit conducted for the first time since the establishment of the TNPA RCB, found 402 kg of general waste generated, 74 kg of this total is segregated for recycling and the remaining 328 kg is landfilled. The overall conclusion gained during compliance audit was that the TNPA RCB was partly compliant with pertinent waste legislation and obligations. Furthermore, questionnaires about waste were sent to staff members working in offices to get an overview of how they deal with current waste management. A number of barriers to sustainable waste management were identified, including: lack of knowledge and awareness; constraints on facilities and human resources; culture that resists change and contamination. To overcome these, there needs to be education, as well as co-operation between top management, staff and waste service providers to help implement new strategies. The primary conclusions from this dissertation are that there are opportunities to divert waste streams from landfill and to attain a sustainable waste management system at TNPA RCB.
Environmental Sciences
M. Sc. (Environmental Management)

Integrated management of municipal and hazardous waste is one of the challenges facing the new municipalities in South Africa, especially those located in previously disadvantaged rural areas. However, much of the research on solid and hazardous waste management in South Africa has examined waste management problematics in urban areas, the majority of which are located within the jurisdiction of local governments which are comparatively effective in terms of providing adequate disposal services. By contrast, this study has examined the environmental risk assessment associated with unregulated landfill sites in the Albert Luthuli municipality, in the Mpumalanga province. The determination of the environmental risk was achieved by the use of questionnaire surveys and landfill analysis forms in selected study areas. The findings have highlighted a very high environmental risk, nearly four times and above, the threshold limits set by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT, 2005:15) for all of the landfill sites examined. Several exposure pathways stemming from associated environmental impacts have also been identified for the study. The higher environmental risk determined for the problem sites is ascribed to numerous factors, including their ill-planned location, the sensitivity and vulnerability of the natural environment and adjacent rural settlements, the lack of appropriate waste pre-treatment processes prior to disposal, and most significantly, the lack of regulatory and control measures to contain the myriad of environmental problems generated. In conclusion, it is recommended that several measures (including closure) should be taken in order to reduce and contain the magnitude of environmental risks involved.
Environmental Sciences
M.Sc.(Environmental Sciences)