Ongoing and potential developments with regards to solid waste management have raised concerns about well being in African cities. There is also growing concern among environmental managers, scientists, and the public that the pace and scale of human activities may lead to adverse environmental and health impacts. These concerns have been worsened by two factors: (1.) That all attempts so far made at dealing with the present situation of solid waste handling in African cities have either failed or only met with moderate success; and, (2.) There is significant economic, spiritual and cultural value placed on the city's development in Africa, therefore, a deterioration in its environment spells further difficulties for improving conditions of development. To date however, very little research has been conducted on the role local knowledge has to play in managing urban solid waste in the context of African cities. This study is a contribution on this topic, using case study cities of Accra and Kumasi in Ghana, West Africa where it was found that local knowledge plays a role not only in the day-to-day decision making of the actors involved, but also in the management of solid waste activities through, the employment of appropriate technology, the creation of awareness around local waste practices, education, adherence to norms and beliefs, and also in stopping littering and encouraging proper waste practices.

China currently produces the largest quantity of municipal solid waste (MSW) in the world at 190, 000, 000 metric tones (World Bank 2005). China faces the continuing challenge of increased waste generation due to population growth, increased income, and increased urbanization. As part of environmental protection initiatives, the central government has issued many policy commitments at the national level to address waste management. In concurrence with the national objectives of addressing the problem of waste management, Hainan province has developed an integrated waste management plan that it hopes to implement by 2020 (The Hainan City Environment and Sanitary Association, in association with Hua Zhong University of Science and Technology of Environmental Science and Engineering, 2005). Organic waste, which accounts for a significant proportion of the waste stream in China, poses both challenges and opportunities in terms of disposal and recovery. While the final disposal of organics may present significant challenges, recovery of organic waste through composting is one alternative. Composting is widely recognized as an effective method of turning organic waste into a useful product. Nevertheless, the implementation of composting as part of a Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) strategy faces challenges. Broadly, these challenges include administrative/policy, human acceptance and participation, management, technological and logistical, and marketing as well as composting process, source separation, contamination, quality of the final product, appropriate composting technologies and final demand and distribution of the final product (Schubeler et al. 1996, Hoornweg et al. 1999). This thesis uses a case study approach in implementing a composting pilot project in cooperation with the local and provincial government in Baisha Hainan China. Labor intensive, low technological, windrow composting is used so as to assess the challenges and potential of implementing composting as part of a municipal solid waste management strategy in Baisha Hainan China. The research uses a participatory action research approach incorporating research methods such as participant observation, key informant interviews (n=122), and rapid rural appraisals. The research objectives are to understand the current waste management system, understand how implementing composting affects the waste management system entails, understand the barriers to implementation, understand the implications: impact of implementation, potential, and finally to propose recommendations on how to implement composting. The research identified seven necessary key factors that if not given sufficient attention could potentially jeopardize the successful implementation and operation of composting: governmental support must be present, funds must be made available since operating cost of the waste management system will increase, best practices for composting must be established, training for waste workers must be provided, a market (or end use) for the final product must be established, NIMBY needs to be addressed, source separation should be applied.

Generation of solid waste is a problem of great environmental significance in the Mexican Federal District. With an estimated daily generation of 12,500 tons waste management is a priority for the district government. Through the launch of a new initiative known as ‘Green Plan’, the government is proposing to implement an integrated waste management system that will not only reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, increasing reuse and recycling of waste, but also will allow the district government to realize economic gains by charging a fee for collection services and selling energy generated from incinerating waste. Integrated waste management programs have been implemented in the Mexican Federal District in the past. They have failed. This research has examined the most recent initiative in an effort to discover the causes of failure, using a case study approach. In addition to identifying barriers to and opportunities for implementation of an effective integrated waste management system in the Federal District, this research recommends options for the newly proposed waste management system that will achieve the objectives desired by the government, while aiding in the pursuit of sustainable development. The research has revealed that the performance of the Federal District’s Integrated Solid Waste Management Program, or any other program of the sort, is affected mainly by a combination of factors that are under the local government’s control: legal instruments, administrative organization and political conflicts, allocation of resources, education and training, and citizen participation. Strengthening these areas will improve the performance of the program. In comparison to much of the existing waste management literature that aims at identifying opportunities for supporting proposed systems through technological innovation (Chambal, et.al., 2003; Eriksson, et.al., 2005; Hung, et.al., 2007), this research has found that key barriers and opportunities lie in the strengthening of the institutional capacities of the local government. While recommendations of this study have been developed within the specific context of Mexico City, they may offer some more general guidance about how to respond to concerns which are likely to apply to many other large urban municipalities in developing countries. Application of the Gibson principles for sustainability in the context of Sandra Cointreau’s guidelines for sustainable waste management has provided a useful evaluation guide. This research has focused not just on evaluation of a particular waste management system, but also on the geographic and administrative context of the system in order to gain a broader insight into the factors over and above technical standards and mechanisms that affect the performance of the system.

Sweden is a long-term world reference country in terms of sustainable development. On the other hand, Barcelona has recently made great efforts in order to improve and to make society aware of the importance of environmental issues. Hence, it would be interesting to investigate if these efforts had succeeded in the waste’s management in Barcelona compared to other leading European cities, and particularly to the case of Gävle. In this work, the operation of the management of the urban solid wastes of the two cities is explained. First, the objectives marked by Agenda 21 of each locality are exposed. Next, a theoretical perspective about management, generation of wastes and types of waste treatment is provided. In the following chapter, the results of the generation of wastes, selective collection and the treatments of the wastes are shown for both the cases of Barcelona and Gävle until the 2006. Finally, the two cities are compared and the results obtained in the management of the wastes are discussed. The conclusion in this study is that Barcelona has improved noticeable in terms of environmentally safe management of the wastes. This has happened thanks to the efforts of the city council and of the citizens. But It is still necessary to make a major effort by the inhabitants of Barcelona.

Electr(on)ic equipments possess parts and components with high economic value and environmental peril which prompts a potential need to assess the EEE’s management at EoL. E-waste management in developing countries is one of the least revised environmental topics. In recent times however the subject is getting research limelight from scholars. This study aims at enhancing the existing e-waste management practice in Gaborone, Botswana through systematic investigation of the current circulation, usage, handling and management of W(EEEs). Several stakeholders in the solid waste management system were interviewed and also an in situ (on the landfill) waste composition study was conducted in line with the aims and objectives of the research. The study finds that WEEEs do not have exclusively designed management structure in Gaborone and they rather flow source to sink usually blended with the general waste derived from the entire socio-economic activity. Waste composition study conducted on the landfill indicates a very low percentage composition (less than 1%) of WEEEs in the junk corresponding to 1.9 kg/capita/year. Substantial amount of obsolete EEEs rather seem to linger in the socio-economic system until a capable tapping mechanism is installed. An integrated e-waste management system cored around public sensitisation and the novel phenomenon of Enhanced landfill mining which simultaneously offers time to consult developed countries for expertise on sustainable WEEE management is proposed. The impetus to close the linear flow of electr(on)ic materials remain with the government and a range of stakeholders/interest groups who seek to gain economic advantages and also trim down environmental implications from the circulating and landfilled W(EEEs).

South Africa’s new Constitution was developed after the first democratic election in 1994. It is well composed and shows a great willpower to build the country on equality, freedom and democracy, and it also protects the rights of future generations. Despite a Constitution that promotes sustainable development and several laws that protect the environment, activities that are detrimental to nature go on. One of South Africa’s largest environmental problems is waste, in the forms of illegal dumping and poorly managed landfill sites. The aim of the thesis is to explore the pre-conditions for waste management practices in Cradock, a rural town within the Inxuba Yethemba Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province. The study is conducted through a qualitative minor field study in Cradock during six weeks. First the legislative framework was explored in order to see what the Municipality has to live up to, and then two interviews were performed: one with the Municipality’s Community Services Manager and one with the employees at the Municipality’s recycling project Ikamvalethu. This gave an understanding on the waste management in practice and the main obstacles and possibilities considered. Cradock’s landfill site is not designed to prevent environmental damage but is still in use even though it is not legally permitted to be utilized. The Municipality has got refuse removal for households once a week, something that has been shown to be too seldom. People cannot wait for the Municipality’s lorry to come and instead they dump the rubbish illegally in e.g. the streets or in open areas. In order to decrease the amount of waste that goes to the landfill and in an attempt to create work opportunities in the community, the Municipality has started the Ikamvalethu Recycling Project which is explored in the thesis. The theoretical link used in the thesis consists of Stern’s (2000) four types of causal variables influencing individual’s environmentally significant behavior. These variables are applied in order to discuss and explain the barriers and facilitators the community faces regarding waste. The most central obstacle is the lack of financial resources in the local government. The national and provincial governments must pay attention to and raise the issue of waste and support the local governments in order to improve its waste management.

No description available.

Ongoing and potential developments with regards to solid waste management have raised concerns about well being in African cities. There is also growing concern among environmental managers, scientists, and the public that the pace and scale of human activities may lead to adverse environmental and health impacts. These concerns have been worsened by two factors: (1.) That all attempts so far made at dealing with the present situation of solid waste handling in African cities have either failed or only met with moderate success; and, (2.) There is significant economic, spiritual and cultural value placed on the city's development in Africa, therefore, a deterioration in its environment spells further difficulties for improving conditions of development. To date however, very little research has been conducted on the role local knowledge has to play in managing urban solid waste in the context of African cities. This study is a contribution on this topic, using case study cities of Accra and Kumasi in Ghana, West Africa where it was found that local knowledge plays a role not only in the day-to-day decision making of the actors involved, but also in the management of solid waste activities through, the employment of appropriate technology, the creation of awareness around local waste practices, education, adherence to norms and beliefs, and also in stopping littering and encouraging proper waste practices.

China currently produces the largest quantity of municipal solid waste (MSW) in the world at 190, 000, 000 metric tones (World Bank 2005). China faces the continuing challenge of increased waste generation due to population growth, increased income, and increased urbanization. As part of environmental protection initiatives, the central government has issued many policy commitments at the national level to address waste management. In concurrence with the national objectives of addressing the problem of waste management, Hainan province has developed an integrated waste management plan that it hopes to implement by 2020 (The Hainan City Environment and Sanitary Association, in association with Hua Zhong University of Science and Technology of Environmental Science and Engineering, 2005). Organic waste, which accounts for a significant proportion of the waste stream in China, poses both challenges and opportunities in terms of disposal and recovery. While the final disposal of organics may present significant challenges, recovery of organic waste through composting is one alternative. Composting is widely recognized as an effective method of turning organic waste into a useful product. Nevertheless, the implementation of composting as part of a Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) strategy faces challenges. Broadly, these challenges include administrative/policy, human acceptance and participation, management, technological and logistical, and marketing as well as composting process, source separation, contamination, quality of the final product, appropriate composting technologies and final demand and distribution of the final product (Schubeler et al. 1996, Hoornweg et al. 1999). This thesis uses a case study approach in implementing a composting pilot project in cooperation with the local and provincial government in Baisha Hainan China. Labor intensive, low technological, windrow composting is used so as to assess the challenges and potential of implementing composting as part of a municipal solid waste management strategy in Baisha Hainan China. The research uses a participatory action research approach incorporating research methods such as participant observation, key informant interviews (n=122), and rapid rural appraisals. The research objectives are to understand the current waste management system, understand how implementing composting affects the waste management system entails, understand the barriers to implementation, understand the implications: impact of implementation, potential, and finally to propose recommendations on how to implement composting. The research identified seven necessary key factors that if not given sufficient attention could potentially jeopardize the successful implementation and operation of composting: governmental support must be present, funds must be made available since operating cost of the waste management system will increase, best practices for composting must be established, training for waste workers must be provided, a market (or end use) for the final product must be established, NIMBY needs to be addressed, source separation should be applied.

Generation of solid waste is a problem of great environmental significance in the Mexican Federal District. With an estimated daily generation of 12,500 tons waste management is a priority for the district government. Through the launch of a new initiative known as ‘Green Plan’, the government is proposing to implement an integrated waste management system that will not only reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, increasing reuse and recycling of waste, but also will allow the district government to realize economic gains by charging a fee for collection services and selling energy generated from incinerating waste. Integrated waste management programs have been implemented in the Mexican Federal District in the past. They have failed. This research has examined the most recent initiative in an effort to discover the causes of failure, using a case study approach. In addition to identifying barriers to and opportunities for implementation of an effective integrated waste management system in the Federal District, this research recommends options for the newly proposed waste management system that will achieve the objectives desired by the government, while aiding in the pursuit of sustainable development. The research has revealed that the performance of the Federal District’s Integrated Solid Waste Management Program, or any other program of the sort, is affected mainly by a combination of factors that are under the local government’s control: legal instruments, administrative organization and political conflicts, allocation of resources, education and training, and citizen participation. Strengthening these areas will improve the performance of the program. In comparison to much of the existing waste management literature that aims at identifying opportunities for supporting proposed systems through technological innovation (Chambal, et.al., 2003; Eriksson, et.al., 2005; Hung, et.al., 2007), this research has found that key barriers and opportunities lie in the strengthening of the institutional capacities of the local government. While recommendations of this study have been developed within the specific context of Mexico City, they may offer some more general guidance about how to respond to concerns which are likely to apply to many other large urban municipalities in developing countries. Application of the Gibson principles for sustainability in the context of Sandra Cointreau’s guidelines for sustainable waste management has provided a useful evaluation guide. This research has focused not just on evaluation of a particular waste management system, but also on the geographic and administrative context of the system in order to gain a broader insight into the factors over and above technical standards and mechanisms that affect the performance of the system.