Plastic deposition in hydrological systems is a pervasive problem at all geographic scales from loci of pollution to global ocean circulation. Much attention has been devoted to plastic deposition in marine contexts, but little is known about inputs of plastics into local hydrological systems, such as streams. Any attempt to prevent plastic litter must confront people’s behaviors, so archaeological concepts are used to distinguish between various cultural inputs (e.g., littering) and non-cultural forces (e.g., stream transport) that affect litter patterns on the landscape. Litter surveys along Hickory Creek in Denton, TX, are used to assess these factors.

Thesis (MTech(Environmental Health))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018. / This study focuses on the assessment of the Green Zone Partnership Model (GZPM), which is a partnership project that was initiated by the City of Cape Town and Bonteheuwel community as a solution towards littering and illegal dumping in public open space areas. It is reported that the City of Cape Town is spending about R350 million year to remove waste illegally dumped in public open spaces around the city. In an attempt to assess the GZPM, the study has been used the environmental partnership theory as an approach to analyse the nature and significance of this partnership project. Over the last 20 years, following the emergence of the concept of sustainability, various organisations including governments are moving towards partnerships with various stakeholders as tools to finding solutions to environmental facing the planet (Long & Arnold, 1995). The emergence of this approach was the catalyst for a partnership formation to address the waste problem within the case study area (Ibid, 1995:34). To locate the study within the broader theoretical debate, the study draws on the theory of environmental partnership. Environmental partnership refers to the partnership formed to engage stakeholder partners in order to solve specific environmental problems. Similarly, Emas (2015:2) argues that partnerships encourage participatory decision making regarding the identification and solution of the current environmental problem. They are, to a larger extent, key to achieving the vision of sustainable development. In the South African context, the popular rise of a democratic system since 1994 has coincided with the escalation of various partnership projects, specifically formed to improve environmental quality. While there is a plethora of partnerships of this nature, with some initiated by the World Bank, IMF, and European Union; there is still a need to assess whether or not these partnership initiatives attain the desirable outcome(s). It is from this backdrop that this research seeks to assess the green zone partnership to establish whether or not it has improved environmental quality with specific reference to littering and illegal dumping in Bonteheuwel community The study used qualitative research design to answer the question raised in this research. Community survey and Face to face in-depth interviews with key stakeholder partners were conducted to collect data that which helped to answer the research question. This data was triangulated with other type of data collected from a household survey conducted within the study area. The data collected revealed how the partnership arrangement (GZPM) has improved the environmental and waste conditions in the communities. The results of the study will be crucial to the environmental health practitioners and managers dealing with waste related problems at local government level. The study has contributed to the existing knowledge in the field of environmental management, environmental health, waste management and natural resource management. Finally, the study concluded that partnership of this nature should be driven by champions from the communities to ensure that the environmental solution is sustainable for the benefit of the future generation. The fact that the partnership project was initiated and funded by the City of Cape Town does not guarantee as sustained solution toward a specific environmental problem (e.g., illegal dumping in public open space areas).

The study aimed at investigating the factors that affect the efficient management of wastes produced by food outlets in Pretoria, South Africa. This was with a view of providing empirical data and information with respect to the causative factors responsible for the visible environmental pollution by wastes and materials from food outlets. Data was gathered from a representative sample of 332 food outlets on socio-economic, demographic, environmental, sanitary and health related variables that are related to waste management and efficiency in the disposal of solid and liquid wastes. Data entry and analysis was performed using statistical procedures such as frequency tables, Pearson’s chi-square tests of association and binary logistic regression analysis in the statistical package STATA version 10. Odds ratios estimated from logistic regression analysis were used for identifying key factors that affect efficiency in the proper disposal of waste. Results obtained showed that 18 % of the 332 food outlets in the study were generally inefficient in waste disposal. Based on odds ratios estimated from binary logistic regression analysis, wrong perception (a factor of 10.88), failure to provide trash cans to customers (a factor of 3.15), the operation of food outlets by non-owners or managers (a factor of 2.33), and failure to practice source reduction of waste (a factor of 2.25) are the top 4 influential factors that affect the proper management of waste at the 332 food outlets in the study. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Management)

The study aimed at investigating the factors that affect the efficient management of wastes produced by food outlets in Pretoria, South Africa. This was with a view of providing empirical data and information with respect to the causative factors responsible for the visible environmental pollution by wastes and materials from food outlets. Data was gathered from a representative sample of 332 food outlets on socio-economic, demographic, environmental, sanitary and health related variables that are related to waste management and efficiency in the disposal of solid and liquid wastes. Data entry and analysis was performed using statistical procedures such as frequency tables, Pearson’s chi-square tests of association and binary logistic regression analysis in the statistical package STATA version 10. Odds ratios estimated from logistic regression analysis were used for identifying key factors that affect efficiency in the proper disposal of waste. Results obtained showed that 18 % of the 332 food outlets in the study were generally inefficient in waste disposal. Based on odds ratios estimated from binary logistic regression analysis, wrong perception (a factor of 10.88), failure to provide trash cans to customers (a factor of 3.15), the operation of food outlets by non-owners or managers (a factor of 2.33), and failure to practice source reduction of waste (a factor of 2.25) are the top 4 influential factors that affect the proper management of waste at the 332 food outlets in the study. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Management)

The economic and population growth have led to the increased volumes of municipal solid waste in South Africa, hence more pressure to the waste management facilities. Municipal solid waste management is a by-product of everyday living, this is the reason why there is an environmental burden caused by waste to the environment. This study was conducted in Pretoria within the three sampled areas, namely: Garsfontein, Marabastad and Pretoria Central Business District (CBD). The rationale of the study was to establish the influence and effects of biographic factors (age, marital status, educational background, gender) and religious conviction on littering. This project constitutes both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. About 150 of the questionnaires were administered to each of the three sampled areas. Therefore, the overall proportion of the respondents was 450. Visual inspection was done in all the three sampled areas to observe the littering status quo and waste management situation in these particular areas. The visual inspection uncovered very interesting findings. It was established that Marabastad was cleaner in the morning than in the late hours while Garsfontein was clean throughout the day. Another problem that was discovered, amongst others was that of the condition of the bins in Marabastad and Pretoria Central Business District (CBD) which was bad compared to Garsfontein. From the questionnaire, it was found that the 72% of elderly respondents (< 36 yrs) are more environmental conscious than the young people (18-35 yrs) who 83% of them claim to litter when there is no bin. Further, among young people, 78% said litter cigarette butts and 93% of these said better street cleanliness would help reduce littering. 72% of adults said religious convictions would help reduce littering. The chi-square and correlation coefficient statistical data analysis methods were used to establish the relationship between different biographic and religious variables. Gender, marital status, monthly income, age and religious conviction were all found to have significant effects on issues regarding littering in the city. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Science)

The presence of pre-packed items contributes toward littering in schools and at home milieu. Most people particularly, and learners’ discard packages of pre-packed wrappers on the ground, thus contribute to littering. This study is intended to help all relevant stakeholders to plan activities that could reduce littering. The study is grounded within the critical theory and living paradigm exploring the effect of household and school practices on learners’ environmental awareness (EA) towards littering. This case study employed action research as a methodology to unpack the problem. Fourteen learners, who are referred to as co-researchers in this study, were selected randomly from seven classes and their parents were inevitably included in the study. Three cycles were conducted with the co-researchers. Five data collection methods are used to collect data. Tables, score total percentages and coding used to analyse data. The results of the study show that environmental activities could be useful within home and school setup and continued practice of environmental activities will in the end conscientise learners towards littering if approached through action research. / Science and Technology Education / M. Ed. (Environmental Education)

The economic and population growth have led to the increased volumes of municipal solid waste in South Africa, hence more pressure to the waste management facilities. Municipal solid waste management is a by-product of everyday living, this is the reason why there is an environmental burden caused by waste to the environment. This study was conducted in Pretoria within the three sampled areas, namely: Garsfontein, Marabastad and Pretoria Central Business District (CBD). The rationale of the study was to establish the influence and effects of biographic factors (age, marital status, educational background, gender) and religious conviction on littering. This project constitutes both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. About 150 of the questionnaires were administered to each of the three sampled areas. Therefore, the overall proportion of the respondents was 450. Visual inspection was done in all the three sampled areas to observe the littering status quo and waste management situation in these particular areas. The visual inspection uncovered very interesting findings. It was established that Marabastad was cleaner in the morning than in the late hours while Garsfontein was clean throughout the day. Another problem that was discovered, amongst others was that of the condition of the bins in Marabastad and Pretoria Central Business District (CBD) which was bad compared to Garsfontein. From the questionnaire, it was found that the 72% of elderly respondents (< 36 yrs) are more environmental conscious than the young people (18-35 yrs) who 83% of them claim to litter when there is no bin. Further, among young people, 78% said litter cigarette butts and 93% of these said better street cleanliness would help reduce littering. 72% of adults said religious convictions would help reduce littering. The chi-square and correlation coefficient statistical data analysis methods were used to establish the relationship between different biographic and religious variables. Gender, marital status, monthly income, age and religious conviction were all found to have significant effects on issues regarding littering in the city. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Science)