Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2006. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Municipal waste presents problems of pollution, health hazards and resource conservation. Household waste forms part of municipal solid waste that is a challenge to control due to its heterogeneity and diversity. The ever-filling landfills for the disposal of solid waste due to rapid population increase and urbanization call for urgent waste management strategies to reduce, reuse and recycle solid waste. In this study householders' attitudes, participation in recycling and willingness to participate in household solid waste recycling are investigated to design and implement a household solid waste recycling programme in Stellenbosch. Questionnaire survey data about the awareness of, attitudes towards, and participation in household waste recycling were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods in the STATISTICA V6 program. Results were displayed in frequency tables, bar charts, maps and pie charts. The same statistical program was used to fmd the relationship between the householders' willingness to participate in the household solid waste recycling programme, namely the Blue Bag Household Waste Recovery Programme (BBHWRP), and their socio-demographic and socio-economic characteristics. The respondents' willingness to sort household waste is compared to their willingness to participate in the BBHWRP in Stellenbosch. The willingness of householders in different residential areas is also compared. The relationships were analyzed by performing cross-tabulations and the chi-square test. The householder's attitudes towards household solid waste recycling were found to be positive, showing pro-recycling and pro-environmental behaviour among the respondents. Participation in recycling was found to be relatively moderate where separation of waste, self-delivery of recyclables to recycling buy-back centres and depots were commonly practised. Composting was least reported to be practised by householders in Stellenbosch. Respondents showed strong willingness to participate in the BBHWRP, however, most of the explanatory factors used, including place of residence, did not relate to respondents' willingness to participate in the BBHWRP. Despite this situation, smaller families and respondents' willingness to sort household waste at home by householders were found to relate directly to willingness to take part in the BBHWRP. There were, however, poor response rates in the study. Although reminders were used to improve response rates, only a 30 per cent response rate could be reached. It is recommended that a household solid waste sorting and recycling scheme in Stellenbosch should be considered in order to minimize and recycle household waste to extend the lifespan of the town's landfill site. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Munisipale afval skep probleme vir besoedeling, gesondheidsrisiko's en hulpbronbewaring. Huishoudelike afval vorm deel van die vaste afval wat moeilik is om te beheer weens die heterogeniteit en diversiteit daarvan. Die stortingsterreine vir vaste afval word al hoe voller weens die immer groeiende bevolking en weens verstedeliking, en dringende afvalbestuurstrategie om die soliede afval te verminder, weer te gebruik en te herwin, word benodig. In hierdie studie word gekyk na die houdings van die huisgesinne, hulle deelname aan herwinning en hulle gewilligheid om deel te neem aan vaste afvalherwinning sodat 'n huishoudelike vaste afvalherwinningsprogram ontwerp kan word en in Stellenbosch implementeer kan word. Vraelysopnamedata oor die bewustheid van, houdings teenoor en deelname aan huishoudelike afvalherwinning is ontleed met beskrywende statistiese metodes in die STATISTICA V6-program. Die resultate word vertoon in frekwensietabelle, balkdiagramme en sektordiagramme. Dieselfde statistiese program is gebruik om die verwantskap tussen die huisgesinne se gewilligheid om deel te neem aan die huishoudelike vaste afvalherwinningsprogram, naamlik die Blue Bag Household Waste Recovery Programme (BBHWRP), en hulle sosio-demografiese en sosio-ekonomiese kenmerke te vind. Die respondente se gewilligheid om huishoudelike afval te sorteer is vergelyk met gewilligheid om deel te neem aan die BBHWRP in Stellenbosch. Die gewilligheid van gesinne in verskillende woongebiede is ook vergelyk. Die verhoudings is ontleed aan die hand van kruistabulasies en met behulp van die chi-kwadraat toets. Daar is gevind dat die huisgesinne se houdings teenoor die herwinning van vaste huishoudelike afval positief is, wat 'n aanduiding gee dat die respondente pro-herwinning en pro-omgewing is. Daar is gevind dat die deelname aan herwinning relatief gemiddeld is waar sortering van afval en die selfaflewering van afval by herwinningsterugkoopsentra algemeen beoefen word. Baie min huisgesinne in Stellenbosch is betrokke by die maak van kompos. Respondente toon gewilligheid om deel te neem aan die BBHWRP, maar daar is gevind dat die verklarende faktore, insluitende woonplek, nie verwant is aan hulle gewilligheid om deel te neem aan die BBHWRP nie. Ten spyte van hierdie situasie is daar gevind dat kleiner gesinne en die respondente se gewilligheid om huishoudelike afval tuis te sorteer, direk verwant is aan gewilligheid om deel te neem aan die BBHWRP. Daar was egter swak responskoerse in die studie. Alhoewel herinneringbriewe gebruik is om responskoerse te verbeter, is 'n responskoers van net 30 persent behaal. Daar word aanbeveel dat 'n vaste huishoudelike afvalsorteringskema in Stellenbosch oorweeg moet word om huishoudelike afval te verminder en te herwin en om die lewensduur van die stortingsterrein te verleng.

A research report submitted to the School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies in Partial Fulfillment for the Master‘s Degree in Science University of the Witwatersrand. Johannesburg, 5 June 2017. / With consumer culture that encourages societies to buy more, waste production increases as well. A lack of site specific data regarding waste conceptualisations and practices inhibits sustainable waste initiatives such as separation at source programmes from being successful and results in poor participation levels. This research report investigates these issues through a case study of Elizabeth Fry Village (EFV) in Vorna Valley, Midrand, particularly focusing on a Separation at Source programme in Elizabeth Fry Village. This research was conducted over a 6 month period between September 2016 and March 2017. There are two approaches within the broad debate around waste that this research engages with. The first is the approach presented by Moore (2012), Gutberlet (2013), Oteng-Ababio (2014) and Parizeau (2015) who argue that the different ways that people understand and conceptualise waste influences their waste practices, including participation in recycling programmes. The second approach focuses on the practical factors that affect participation in recycling programmes (Tonglet et al., 2004 and Martin et al., 2006). Based on mixed methods including participant observation, interviews, desktop studies and a waste composition study conducted in Elizabeth Fry Village, this research report argues that it is necessary to combine both approaches to develop a comprehensive understanding of people‘s participation or lack thereof in recycling programmes such as separation at source (S@S). It is recommended that future research explores mechanisms for the better use of putrescible waste and that aspects such as convenience, time, space, knowledge and awareness are further investigated to increase participation rates in the area. Another major aspect identified for future research is exploring how to shift people‘s conceptualision of waste to recognise it as a positive material. Keywords: Recycling, waste, separation at source (S@S), conceptualisation, participation, Elizabeth Fry Village (EFV), Midrand / LG2017

Thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree of Master of Architecture (Professional) to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, School of Architecture and Planning at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2016 / To make and to utilise. These two actions effortlessly encapsulate a fundamental quality of human beings. Ever since the dawn of industry, humans have developed a necessity to manufacture various items and systems in order to achieve a more efficient and enjoyable lifestyle. The nature of manufacturing has always been defined by the concept of input and output and over time has resulted in the unsustainable extraction of Earth’s natural resources in order to produce. Additionally, consumerism has exponentially increased the rate at which society manufactures and has consequently led to by-production of discarded waste. The presence of solid waste is adversely affecting the environment due to the fact that a large majority of it is non-biodegradable and thus pollutes today’s cities and natural ecosystems. In the context of Newtown, Johannesburg, the issue of discarded solid waste is of growing concern. As a result of the seamless coexistence of industry, commerce and culture and its proximity to important urban zones, this historic area of Johannesburg is attracting more and more people from various social demographics. In turn, this has led to higher levels of productivity and exploitation. As seen in most third world nations, such characteristics inevitably lead to an overabundance of unmanageable waste. Even with the implementation of various recycling schemes as well as the informal waste collecting movement, the issue in Newtown and greater Johannesburg still stands, due to the fact that waste management services lack the efficiency to transport collected waste to the relevant recycling and landfilling facilities. Without an efficient waste management system, various collection depots and scrap yards across the city remain under a constant state of waste overflow. This will only further tarnish the notion of waste recycling on an urban level. Therefore by reimagining the term ‘recycle’ and perceiving it in the sense of transformation, one may begin to rationalise a contemporary solution to the issue of waste in our cities. Through the study of waste on a global scale and some of the advanced technologies in an age defined by fabrication and making, this research report works to conceptualise a system in which discarded waste can be ‘transformed’ and used for the fabrication of any conceivable object. The establishment of a framework which allows direct, on-site trading of collected waste and its consequent transformation for fabrication, would aid in addressing the issue of overflowing waste yards across the city and would in turn improve the social awareness of waste management on an urban level. The incorporation of transformed waste with digital, nano and prefabrication technologies will ultimately result in the realisation of an architecture that will offer society the opportunity to re-create. A social place where waste is the vital resource and where the maker’s creativity is the limit. / XL2018

A research report presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Environmental Science at the University of the Witwatersrand. Johannesburg, August 2017. / In Johannesburg, as in many cities of developing countries, municipal solid waste management poses a key challenge to local city governments. The amount of municipal solid waste generated has been noted to be growing in tandem with increasing city populations. This Masters Research Report focuses on the factors shaping participation in the separation at source (S@S) programme run by Johannesburg’s Pikitup waste management utility, with a particular focus on the role of residents’ conceptualization of waste. The research employed a qualitative comparative case study of two suburbs that were part of Pikitup’ first pilot S@S programme, which was conducted by the Waterval depot: the low income area of Newlands, and the high income area of Franklin Roosevelt Park. Twenty semi-structured interviews and one focus group interview were conducted in each of the suburbs, as well as three semistructured interviews with key informants. Findings were analyzed using thematic content analysis. The results indicate several differences between the two suburbs – including participation rates, conceptualization of waste and other factors shaping wasting practices. The research showed that conceptualization of waste is an important factor, but not the only one and affirmed other studies showing the importance of time, convenience and positive attitude towards recycling. The research found that in addition to their conceptualization of waste, the ways in which residents conceptualized recyclables affected their participation rates, and that their separation practices were aligned to their conceptualizations. In addition, the research found that residents’ conceptualization of recyclables and the recycling system played an important role in their decision to participate in Pikitup’ S@S programme. In Newlands, whilst some separated but due to their low incomes they sold it for themselves versus giving it to Pikitup, and others would not separate as they felt Pikitup should pay them or it was time consuming for them. In both suburbs those that understood the role of waste pickers chose to separate their waste for the waste pickers versus Pikitup. In conclusion, when we understand that residents participating in separating materials for different pathways, and waste pickers play an important role in separating at source when residents fail to do so then a better understanding of how much waste is being separated and diverted from landfills is obtained in addition to what motivates participation in separation. Keywords: municipal solid waste (MSW), resident households, conceptualization of waste, separation at source, wasting practices, waste picker / LG2018

This case study investigates domestic waste recycling schemes in the Cape Peninsula with special reference to educational aspects as a basis for developing educational resource materials. It explores the question: "In what way can projects for the recycling of domestic waste serve as a vehicle for environmental education?". The study employs the concept of education for the environment, following a socially critical approach with action-oriented and participatory dimensions. The research sample constituted interviewees and/or workshop participants from fourteen different municipalities, six recycling industries, one private waste contractor and the three most prominent voluntary organisations involved in recycling in the Cape Peninsula. A small-scale -interview survey was done to review existing recycling initiatives, combined with a case study of several small participatory initiatives towards educational resource development. The results were analysed qualitatively. The case study indicates that recycling initiatives have excellent potential for education for the environment. This potential was partially explored in this research by addressing key issues such as the role of local authorities in recycling of domestic waste, the short-term perspectives on the part of the local authorities, as well as the importance of and constraints on participation in recycling projects and in the research. Other issues discussed include the educational implications of personal (economic) benefits of recycling, the social development dimension of some recycling projects, the value of school children organising recycling projects, limited teacher participation in existing recycling projects, and the need for environmental education resource material. The major value of the project lies however in critical reflection on the research process. Recommendations regarding participatory resource development as an approach to socially critical environmental education are put forward to inform similar studies in the future and to elucidate the approach. Recommendations regarding the recycling of domestic waste in the Cape Peninsula are also made.

In South Africa most of the municipal solid waste is currently removed and taken to land fill sites for engraving. A very small percentage of this is recycled due to lack of exploration of alternative means of further processing. In 2011 approximately 108 million tonnes of waste, mostly being general waste was generated in South Africa. Ninety eight (98) million tonnes of this waste was disposed of at landfill sites (The Department of Environmental Affairs [DEA], 2012). Environmental engineers are finding municipal solid waste management to be a challenge, similarly do the city planners and local administration. The main reason being the difficulty brought about by the complexity in composition of the waste material, no availability of waste minimization technologies and the scarcity of land for landfill sites and their environmental impact (Lal & Singh, 2012). Anyaegbunam (2013) recommend that there is a disposal technique that can convert most of the landfill waste at reduced amount of money to what is being paid on other disposal techniques nowadays, regardless of its form or composition and produce an excess of clean energy, and that technique is called Plasma Gasification which carries a high capability of being economically efficient. According to Young (2010), plasma arc Gasification is a high-temperature pyrolysis process whereby the organics of waste solids (carbon-based materials) are converted into syngas. The syngas can also be sent to gas turbines or reciprocating engines to produce electricity. Few of these plants exist in the world, however there is none in South Africa due to municipal budgetary constraints and lack of evidence for return on investment. Gasification can be described as a thermo-chemical process wherein carbonaceous or carbon-rich feed stocks, for instance tree trimmings or biomass, coal, and petro-coke are transformed into a complex gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide (and smaller quantities of carbon dioxide and other trace gases) under high pressure, oxygen exhausted, strong heat and/or steam environments (SRS Energy Solutions, 2016) The problem of electricity shortages continues to increase and communities are unable to cope with the continuous rising electricity bills. It is forecast that electricity demand will grow by approximately 85% and thereby reaching 31 700TWH (terawatt hours) in the year 2035. This growth rate is anticipated at an annual rate of 2.4% of which the economic and population growth will be the driving force, while on the other hand the daily increase of waste at landfill sites poses many problems with regards to the lifespan of the landfill in case green technological disposal processes are not introduced.

South African manufacturers, including those who produce electrical and telecommunication cables, are required by the National Waste Management Strategy (NWMS) (drawn up by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT)), to carry out waste management in a coordinated and controlled manner. It is also becoming more difficult for South African companies, who produce for export markets, to conduct business internationally if they do not have some form of environmental management system in place. While there will always be scrap generated in any manufacturing environment, the aim is, first and foremost, to reduce this to acceptable levels and, secondly, to dispose of all scrap produced in a socially responsible manner. This study focuses attention on waste management, in the form of recycling, in the cable manufacturing industry. The purpose of this study is twofold: first, to examine the economic case, by means of a cost-benefit analysis, for the establishment and operation of a telecommunication cable waste recycling plant for the purpose of recycling copper conductor; second, to examine the economic feasibility, by means of a cost-benefit analysis, of extending the existing facility in order to accommodate the recycling of the plastic fraction contained in the cable waste. A specific cost-benefit stream was generated over a project period of 20 years for both CBAs. In both CBAs costs and benefits were categorised as being either primary or secondary. The primary costs and benefits for both CBAs were all financial in nature and were valued using market prices. The secondary costs of establishing and operating a cable waste recycling plant for recycling the copper conductor included effluent costs and noise pollution costs. The secondary benefits, on the other hand, included the creation of downstream industries. The secondary costs of extending an existing cable waste recycling plant, so as to accommodate the recycling of the plastic component of cable waste, included costs related to the generation of greenhouse gases and asthma. The secondary benefits, conversely, included the increase in house prices due to the reduction of landfilling of the plastic component of cable waste. The determination of increased house prices due to landfill avoidance was carried out using the hedonic pricing method (HPM). The hypothesis was that house values would increase the further removed they were from the landfill site. Applying regression analysis to the derived hedonic pricing (HP) function showed that there is a definite correlation between the two. Properties positioned two kilometres from a landfill site in New Brighton Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, were found to have higher values than those positioned adjacent to the site. From the cost-benefit streams, net benefits were calculated for each CBA and discounted to present values in order to provide a standard of comparison. The social discount rate used in this study to calculate the present values reflected a combination of the social opportunity costs of capital and the social time preference rate. The rate used was calculated as the average annual rate between 2000 and 2005 and amounted to 6.72 percent. It was derived from a combination of the opportunity costs of government borrowings, household consumption borrowings and return on savings.

Thesis submitted in 50 % completion of the degree of Master of Management in the field of Public and Development Management at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. 20 June 2016 / In response to the ever increasing problems associated with climate change, and greenhouse gas emissions, many countries in the world are developing and adopting climate change resilient policies that support green economy. Green economy sector in South Africa has not as yet received much expected attention as a key sector to address economic and environmental problems. The use and the production of renewable fuels, such as biodiesel are known to have significant economic and environmental benefits. However, progress in the production of biodiesel is hampered by limits imposed by government on the use of fresh vegetable extracted oils for production of biodiesel, mainly due to challenges on food security; and the impact this will have on food prices. In recent years recycling has become an important tool to address waste problems; pollution control; and socio-economic problems such as joblessness, poverty and social inequity. Used cooking oil has always been considered waste and an environmental burden. Therefore through technology advancement of recycling, wastes such as used cooking oil have become useful resources for biodiesel production. This research is about the challenges in recycling used cooking oil to produce biodiesel. The study recommended that in order to address challenges facing sustainability of our environment, and high unemployment rate; small recycling industries such as those operating in Polokwane will need government support such as biodiesel sector policies and regulations, to encourage investment in the biodiesel value chains in a way that will lead to the achievement of green economy goals. / MT2016

Thesis (M.Tech.: Marketing)-Dept. of Marketing, Durban University of Technology, 2006 xii, 152 leaves / Consumer attitudes play an important role when it comes to waste management. Consumers, who purchase any number of packaged goods also dispose of or discard waste in large quantities. In the business sector the introduction of new technologies in the production cycle is imperative, and this technology involves discovering more cost effective methods of reducing and reusing solid waste as a resource. The challenge for the eThekwini Municipality is to discover ways to reduce the volume of waste disposed at the landfills. This study determines the attitudes of consumers towards curbside recycling specifically within the eThekwini municipal region. This study focuses on various theories and evaluates ways in which waste prevention and reduction initiatives can be employed to protect the depletion of natural resources.

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