Magister Artium - MA / 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. / South Africa

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / China Area Studies / Master / Master of Arts

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

A landfill is in a reserved space on land used for the disposal of refuse by utilizing the principles of engineering to confine the refuse to the smallest practical area to prevent the creation of nuisances to public health or safety (Andersen et al. 1967). However, because landfills are open to the atmosphere, rainfall can saturate them, resulting in a liquid called leachate. Leachate generated within the landfill contains suspended solids, soluble components of the waste and by-products from the degradation of the waste by various micro-organisms. Treatment of leachate is an emerging area of need. In this manuscript the main purpose is to investigate a laboratory scale batch reactor that is able to detoxify and treat leachate by using an advanced oxidation process (i.e. TiO2). Based on the results obtained from this ground breaking research, it appears that the process investigate has the potential to radically change the way landfill leachate is treated. Scale up may provide direction that can be used to improve the efficiency of the different stages of toxicity of leachate during the entire life of a landfill. / by Andrâe McBarnette. / Thesis (M.S.C.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2011. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2011. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Since the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) began requiring landfills to implement a leachate collection system in 1991, the proper disposal of leachate has become a growing concern. The potential toxicity of landfill leachate will contaminate groundwater and soil if not managed properly. Research has been made in efforts to manage leachate in a cost-effective, single treatment process. Photocatalytic oxidation is an advanced oxidation process (AOP) which has shown ability to reduce toxicity of an array of leachate constituents including organics, inorganics and heavy metals. The purpose of this manuscript is to scale up the batch scale study of TiO2 photocatalytic degradation of leachate utilizing a pilot scale falling film reactor. In this research project, the use of UV/TiO2 for the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonia, alkalinity and color will be studied in order to optimize catalyst dosage, determine pH effects and reaction kinetics and develop preliminary cost estimates. / by Frank Youngman. / Thesis (M.S.C.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2013. / Includes bibliography. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / System requirements: Adobe Reader.

The design of a waste collection system affects public health, the extent of participation in the system by residents, the recovery of resources from waste, and the cost of collection. Many developing countries use communal container collection [CCC] systems in which large containers are dispersed throughout neighbourhoods for the storage of waste until collection. These systems tend to have limited success as they often do not garner viable amounts of participation and containers are prone to being overfilled. The communal container waste collection system in the city of Aguascalientes, AGS, Mexico was assessed according to the Integrated Solid Waste Management [ISWM] principles of social acceptability, environmental effectiveness, economic affordability and effective management. Information was collected through seven interviews with waste-related managers, 282 residential questionnaires, and 12 informal collector questionnaires. The collection system garners a high participation rate (99%) attributed to: non-burdensome one-way distances from residences to containers (mean 114+/-71m); thorough, daily collection; and a culture of cleanliness. Factors of adherence to waste collection regulations were found to be public knowledge, social acceptability, convenience and perception of importance. The collection system was assessed by rational-intuitive consideration of all indicators and principles, to be mostly acceptable from an ISWM framework due to: a high collection rate (~100% daily) which is enabled by effective monitoring and efficient operation; a high participation rate; similarity of the resource recovery rate to that of other developing and developed countries; and long-term affordability. Areas for improvement in equality of service provision, collaboration with informal collectors, and communication were identified. Lessons learned about communal container collection are applicable to lower-middle and upper-middle income countries.

The design of a waste collection system affects public health, the extent of participation in the system by residents, the recovery of resources from waste, and the cost of collection. Many developing countries use communal container collection [CCC] systems in which large containers are dispersed throughout neighbourhoods for the storage of waste until collection. These systems tend to have limited success as they often do not garner viable amounts of participation and containers are prone to being overfilled. The communal container waste collection system in the city of Aguascalientes, AGS, Mexico was assessed according to the Integrated Solid Waste Management [ISWM] principles of social acceptability, environmental effectiveness, economic affordability and effective management. Information was collected through seven interviews with waste-related managers, 282 residential questionnaires, and 12 informal collector questionnaires. The collection system garners a high participation rate (99%) attributed to: non-burdensome one-way distances from residences to containers (mean 114+/-71m); thorough, daily collection; and a culture of cleanliness. Factors of adherence to waste collection regulations were found to be public knowledge, social acceptability, convenience and perception of importance. The collection system was assessed by rational-intuitive consideration of all indicators and principles, to be mostly acceptable from an ISWM framework due to: a high collection rate (~100% daily) which is enabled by effective monitoring and efficient operation; a high participation rate; similarity of the resource recovery rate to that of other developing and developed countries; and long-term affordability. Areas for improvement in equality of service provision, collaboration with informal collectors, and communication were identified. Lessons learned about communal container collection are applicable to lower-middle and upper-middle income countries.

O conhecimento das melhores alternativas para segregar os Resíduos de Serviço de Saúde e o reconhecimento da importância do correto gerenciamento, são fundamentais para melhorar as medidas de segurança e higiene nos serviços de saúde, reduzir o volume de resíduos contaminados e estimular a reciclagem dos resíduos comuns. O presente estudo teve como objetivo sensibilizar os Profissionais que trabalham em Unidades Básicas de Saúde (UBSs), localizadas na cidade de Foz do Iguaçu/PR, quanto ao gerenciamento adequado dos Resíduos Sólidos de Serviços de Saúde (RSSS). Na primeira etapa foi concebido e aplicado um levantamento (survey) para diagnosticar a percepção dos profissionais que atuam em dez UBSs. Em seguida, foi realizado um Evento Municipal para os Profissionais das UBS, utilizando palestras e várias atividades lúdicas, visando ensinar sobre a segregação correta e ecoeficiente de resíduos. Na continuidade da pesquisa, foi realizada uma avaliação in loco da situação do gerenciamento de RSSS em três UBSs, sendo constatadas algumas irregularidades. Foram realizados, para os profissionais das três Unidades, atividades de sensibilização visando o correto gerenciamento e a redução dos RSSS. Na pesquisa de percepção, o sentimento predominante dos respondentes, quanto à separação dos RSSS, foi o de insegurança, justificando a necessidade de maior conhecimento. A forma lúdica, utilizada nos eventos de sensibilização, foi aprovada pelos participantes para transmissão de conhecimentos. Isso pode ser confirmado pelas manifestações de risos e alegria, que puderam ser observadas, durante todas as atividades. As sensibilizações realizadas nas três Unidades foram avaliadas positivamente pelos participantes (55% dos Profissionais das Unidades), sendo que, a palestra e o teatro, foram as atividades consideradas mais interessantes pelos participantes. Os resultados desta pesquisa ratificam a importância e a evidência, que ainda, há muito por fazer no campo de informação, sensibilização e Educação Ambiental com relação a temática de RSSS. É importante que novos momentos de orientação e Educação Continuada sejam proporcionados aos trabalhadores na tentativa de torná-los sensíveis a importância que práticas corretas podem vir a trazer para a saúde, população e Meio Ambiente. / Knowledge of the best alternatives to separate Health Service Waste and the recognition of the importance of proper management are the key to improving security and hygiene measures in health services. It is also important to reduce the volume of contaminated waste and encourage recycling common waste. The present study aimed at raising awareness among professionals working in Basic Units of Health (BHU), located in the city of Foz do Iguaçu, state of Paraná, regarding the proper management of Solid Waste in Health Services (SWHS). The first stage of the study involved the design and implementation of a survey to diagnose the perception of professionals working at ten BHU. Then, vas held a Municipal Event for the professionals of BHU. This event comprising lectures and various recreational activities aiming at teaching about the proper and eco-efficient waste segregation. In continuing research, a spot evaluation of the SWHS management at three BHU where some irregularities were noted. In three BHU, were performed activities to raise awareness for proper management and reduction this geration of SWHS. The prevailing sentiment of the survey respondents in relation to the separation of SWHS was insecurity what justifies the need for greater knowledge on the subject. Participants to transmit knowledge adopted a playful way, used in awareness-raising events. This is can be confirmed by the manifestations of laughter and joy that could be observed during all activities. The sensitization raising at the three Basic Units of Health were positively evaluated by participants (55% of the professionals of the units), and the lecture and the theatrical activities were the actions considered more interesting by the participants. These results confirm that yet, there is much to be done in the field of information, awareness and environmental education regarding the topic of medical wastes. It is important that new moments of Continuing Education and guidance are provided to workers in an attempt to make them sensitive to the importance of correct practices are likely to bring health, population and environment.

A perda histórica das terras e dos recursos naturais e os constantes contatos interétnicos têm transformando pelo menos uma parte das economias indígenas dependentes da lógica econômica de mercado capitalista e alterado o padrão de consumo nas aldeias. Há certa dependência em relação aos alimentos consumidos, em sua grande maioria comprados, o que aumenta o número de embalagens e rejeitos para se desprezar. No entanto, a coleta de lixo nas aldeias é precário o que emana problemas no seu descarte. Em visita a Terra Indígena Mangueirinha observou-se a presença de lixo ao redor das casas contendo embalagens de produtos industrializados, tais como garrafas de plástico, latas de refrigerante, pacotes de salgadinho e fraldas descartáveis. Neste contexto, a pesquisa teve como objetivo principal analisar a percepção da população da Terra Indígena Mangueirinha em relação ao descarte do lixo e seu impacto na saúde e no ambiente da aldeia. Os objetivos específicos da investigação foram: traçar o perfil da cultura alimentar e sócio econômico dos entrevistados; identificar o método de descarte do lixo utilizado pela população investigada e identificar a percepção dos indígenas sobre meio ambiente e seus impactos na saúde. Para a investigação deste estudo de caso realizou-se uma pesquisa qualitativa com treze indígenas. Foi utilizado um roteiro pré-elaborado para nortear as questões referentes ao perfil do entrevistado, quais os métodos utilizados para o descarte do lixo e como percebem a relação do ambiente com a saúde. As entrevistas foram realizadas na escola Kokoj Ty Han já e em visitas domiciliares. Os resultados da pesquisa mostram que os indígenas realizam atividades culturais com o objetivo de manter vivos os costumes e aspectos tradicionais da aldeia, porém no cotidiano, diversos segmentos são afetados pela influência não indígena, tais como educação, saúde e hábitos alimentares. No que se refere à percepção sobre os problemas ambientais na área indígena ou no entorno dela, formaram-se 3 grupos diferentes, dos moradores que identificam o desmatamento como o principal problema ambiental, o segundo grupo que identifica como a poluição e o terceiro grupo que acredita não existir problema ambiental nas Terras Indígenas. Os contatos interétnicos modificaram a percepção do que consideram itens necessários ao seu bem estar. Na procura por ter acesso aos bens de consumo diversificam seus meios de vida, conciliando o trabalho assalariado a outras fontes de renda. O que tem implicado na liberação de resíduos não orgânicos no meio ambiente e sido fonte de agravos à saúde. Os moradores elencaram soluções para os problemas enfrentados, como aumentar a frequência de coleta e os pontos em que passa o caminhão de lixo, construir depósitos para o armazenamento correto e a realização de orientações à comunidade para o reaproveitamento do lixo orgânico, separação do lixo e descarte correto. Portanto, percebem a importância de preservar o meio ambiente para sua qualidade de vida, porém no cotidiano lhes faltam estrutura e disponibilidade de serviços públicos de coleta de lixo e ações educativas sobre o manejo dos resíduos sólidos. / The historical loss of earth and natural resources and the constant inter-ethnic contacts had changed at least some part of the Indian economies dependents on the capitalist market logic and transformed the consumption pattern of the villages. There‟s some dependence related to their consumed food, in general bought, that raises the number of packaging and tailings to dispose. However, the garbage collect on the villages is still precarious, that originates problems on this discard. In visit to the Indian earth Mangueirinha, it was observed the presence of trash around the houses with industrialized products packaging, like plastic bottles, cans of soda, packets of chips and some disposable diapers. In this contest, the research had as central objective analyze the perception of the local people about the garbage discarding and It‟s impact on village‟s healthy and environment. The specific objectives of the research were: to do the cultural food and social-economic profiles and to identify the Indian methods of garbage discarding utilized by the investigated community and to identiy perception about environment and It‟s impact on healthy. For the investigation of that case we carried out a qualitative study with thirteen indigenous. A pre-prepared script was used to guide the questions regarding the respondent profile, what methods are used to dispose of trash and how they perceive the relationship between environment and health. The interviews were conductedat Kokoj Ty Han Já School and home visits. The research results show that the Indians perform cultural activities aiming to keep alive the customs and traditional aspects of the village, but in daily life, several segments are affected by non-indigenous influence, such as education, health and eating habits. With regard to the perception of environmental problems in the indigenous area or around it, formed three different groups of residents that identify the main environmental problem as deforestation, the second group that identifies as pollution and the third group that believes that no environmental problem exists on indigenous lands. Interethnic contacts changed the perception of what they consider items necessary for their well-being. In seeking to gain access to consumer goods they diversify their livelihoods, combining wage labor to other sources of income. What is involved in the release of non-organic waste on the environment and been a source of health problems. Residents listed solutions to the problems faced, such as increasing the frequency of collection and the points in passing garbage truck, build warehouses for the correct storage and conducting community guidelines for the reuse of organic waste, waste separation and correct disposal. Therefore, they realize the importance of preserving the environment for their quality of life, but in everyday life they lack structure and availability of public services of garbage collection and educational activities concerning the management of solid waste.

Resíduo de Equipamento Eletroeletrônico (REEE) é um termo utilizado para abranger diversas formas de equipamentos elétricos e eletrônicos que não possuem mais valor para seus proprietários. Este trabalho propôs avaliar a geração de REEEs em uma instituição de ensino superior comunitária localizada no estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Para este trabalho foram utilizados dados de EEEs disponíveis no sistema de informações da universidade, o qual totalizava 51.066 itens, englobando dados de aproximadamente 17 anos. Foi realizada uma análise detalhada acerca das características dos REEEs gerados, determinando características gerais, assim como específicas de diferentes áreas de ensino. Como resultado, foram gerados diversos indicadores importantes no gerenciamento de REEEs neste tipo de instituição. Verificou-se que o principal REEE gerado pela instituição são Equipamentos de informática e telecomunicações (48,2 %), seguido pelos Grandes eletrodomésticos (14,4 %), Instrumentos de Monitoramento (13,3 %), Ferramentas elétricas e eletrônicas (10,9 %) e Equipamentos de Consumo (9,8 %). Foram contabilizados 414 diferentes tipos de EEEs na instituição porém, observa-se que com exceção dos Instrumentos de Monitoramento, os dois principais EEEs de cada categoria contabilizam sozinhos mais de 50 % de suas respectivas categorias. Identificouse que a maior parte dos REEEs (29,3 %) da instituição são gerados no bloco administrativo da universidade, seguido pelas salas de informática (17,3 %). Estes dois setores se caracterizam por utilizarem EEEs de rápida obsolescência, enquanto áreas como as Ciências Biológicas e parcialmente as Ciências Exatas, devido ao elevado número de equipamentos analíticos utilizados, possuem um ciclo de vida maior nos EEEs, reduzindo assim a geração de REEEs. Isto se refletiu na geração per capita das áreas de ensino, onde as ciências biológicas apresentaram os maiores resultados (14,58 kg/aluno.ano), tendo sido a média dos curso 1,02 kg/aluno.ano. O diagnóstico da instituição demonstrou uma série de problemas em relação à gestão de REEEs, especialmente devido à falta de planejamento da geração destes, não havendo assim um local adequado para seu armazenamento. Também se identificou que muitos pesquisadores, por falta de verbas para manutenção de equipamentos, optam por armazenar máquinas obsoletas em seus laboratórios. Todas essas características resultam em uma grande complexidade na gestão de REEEs em unidades de ensino superior, em especial, devido à grande variedade encontrada, sendo muitos deles de difícil reciclagem. / Submitted by Ana Guimarães Pereira (agpereir@ucs.br) on 2015-05-11T17:01:35Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Tiago Panizzon.pdf: 4775557 bytes, checksum: 853455f75032d67eb2c25b7fa399023b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-11T17:01:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Tiago Panizzon.pdf: 4775557 bytes, checksum: 853455f75032d67eb2c25b7fa399023b (MD5) / Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is a word used to refer to many electric and electronic equipment that are no longer valuable for its owners. This study evaluated the WEEE generation in a private higher education institution, located in Rio Grande do Sul state. In this study were used data from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) available in the university information system, which amounted 51.066 items during 17 years. A detailed analysis was performed about the generated WEEE characteristics and the specific characteristics of different knowledge areas. As result, many important indicators where developed for WEEE management in this kind of institution. The main WEEE generated by the institution was IT and telecommunications equipment (48.2 %), followed by Large household appliances (14.4 %), Monitoring and control instruments (13.3 %), Electrical and electronic tools (10.9 %) and Consumer equipment (9.8 %). Over 400 EEEs classes were identified in the institution although, except for Monitoring and control instruments, the two main EEEs in each class correspond by at least 50 % of its categories. In addition, it was noted that the majority of WEEE was generated by the university administration (29.3 %), followed by the computer classrooms (17.3 %). Those two areas feature low life EEEs, while other areas like Biology and Exact Sciences, due to the high number of analytics equipment used, have a longer life cycle EEEs, resulting in smaller WEEE generation. This was noted in the knowledge areas per capita WEEE generation, with biological sciences showing the bigger results (14.58 kg/student.yr), while the average was 1.02 kg/student.yr. The institution diagnostic demonstrate many problems in WEEE management, especially due to lack of planning regarding their generation, resulting in an absence of a proper place for their storage. In addition, it was noted that many researchers, due to lack of maintenance resources, preferred to store obsolete machines in their labs. All these characteristic result in a great complexity in WEEE management in higher education institutions, mostly due the big diversity, increasing the recycling complexity.