The waste generation is a current problem and part of human life. The increase of waste grows every day associated with the advancement of technology and industrial production. In this context, are part of the health services, as organizations need to incorporate new concepts to acquire new behaviors in their care processes where issues of environmental preservation and protection of public health need to be highlighted. This challenge has generated public policies and regulations that has assumed great importance as a pillar of sustainable development. These regulations classify healthcare waste generated and have protocols for their management. Within this classification, fall into the chemical waste that is becoming a challenge with regard to the use, disposal and reuse when possible. Thus, this study aims to develop a general diagnosis of the current situation of the management of chemical waste generated at the University Hospital of Pernambuco. Therefore, it was used as the objectives, research is an exploratory-descriptive, as possessing procedure for collecting data literature, field survey, case study and documentary research. The instruments used were the interview guidelines and on-site observation. Given the above and from the survey, we noted the confirmation of the hypotheses on the issues of waste chemicals are not managed according to current legislation, there is no involvement of professionals in planning actions that generate these wastes and that in carrying processes are not taken into account aspects related to the possible chemical waste generated. It can be concluded that although there is a segregation of waste types in the other groups, chemical residues are not treated as such. Needs through the Environmental Education and a new management model train and train practitioners to seek change in the handling of chemical waste. The process of training of professionals and update them need to be continuously and grounded in Environmental Education for the development of new concepts and behavior change that leads to environmental management, considering sustainable development. Why refer to a topic relevant to the issues of environmental and public health, we want to, with the results, cooperate with the academic community showing the problem of chemical waste generated in health services, seeking viable changes to the processes that made generate these wastes, with no loss in quality of care and activities for research. / A geração de resíduos é uma problemática atual e faz parte da vida humana. O aumento de resíduos cresce a cada dia associado ao avanço da tecnologia e da produção industrial. Neste contexto, inserem-se os serviços de saúde que, como organizações, precisam incorporar novos conceitos para adquirir novos comportamentos em seus processos assistenciais onde as questões da preservação do meio ambiente e da proteção da saúde pública precisam ser destacadas. Tal desafio tem gerado políticas públicas e regulamentações que vem assumindo grande importância como eixo para o desenvolvimento sustentável. Estas regulamentações classificam os resíduos de serviços de saúde gerados e dispõem de protocolos para seu manejo. Dentro desta classificação, enquadram-se os resíduos químicos que vem se tornando um desafio no que diz respeito ao uso, descarte e reuso, quando possível. Assim, este trabalho tem como objetivo geral elaborar um diagnóstico da situação atual do gerenciamento dos resíduos químicos gerados em um Hospital Universitário de Pernambuco. Para tanto, foi utilizada, quanto aos objetivos, uma pesquisa do tipo exploratório-descritiva, possuindo como procedimento para coleta de dados a pesquisa bibliográfica, o levantamento de campo, o estudo de caso e a pesquisa documental. Os instrumentos utilizados foram a entrevista em pautas e a observação in loco. Diante do exposto e a partir da pesquisa realizada, evidenciamos a confirmação das hipóteses levantadas em relação às questões dos resíduos químicos não serem gerenciados seguindo a legislação atual, de não existir envolvimento por parte dos profissionais no planejamento das ações geradoras destes resíduos e de que na realização dos processos não são levados em conta os aspectos relacionados aos possíveis resíduos químicos gerados. Pode-se concluir que apesar de existir a segregação dos tipos de resíduos dos outros grupos, os resíduos químicos não são tratados como tais. Precisa-se através da Educação Ambiental e de um novo modelo de gestão capacitar e treinar os profissionais para buscar mudança no manejo dos resíduos químicos. O processo de formação dos profissionais e a atualização dos mesmos precisam ser de modo contínuo e embasado na Educação Ambiental para a concepção de novos conceitos e para a mudança de comportamento que leve à gestão ambiental, considerando o desenvolvimento sustentável. Por se referir a um tema relevante para as questões de saúde pública e ambiental, deseja-se, com os resultados alcançados, colaborar junto à comunidade acadêmica mostrando a problemática dos resíduos químicos gerados nos serviços de saúde, buscando alterações viáveis para os processos realizados que geram estes resíduos, sem que haja perda na qualidade da assistência prestada e das atividades voltadas para pesquisa.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Information and Communications Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2017. / The future of modern cities largely depends on how well they can tackle intrinsic problems that confront them by embracing the next era of digital revolution. A vital element of such revolution is the creation of smart cities and associated technology infrastructures. Smart city is an emerging phenomenon that involves the deployment of information communication technology wares into public or private infrastructure to provide intelligent data gathering and analysis. Key areas that have been considered for smart city initiatives include monitoring of weather, energy consumption, environmental conditions, water usage and host of others. To align with the smart city revolution in the area of environmental cleanliness, this study involves the development of a web based smart city infrastructure for refuse disposal management using the design science research approach. The Jalali smart city reference architecture provided a template to develop the proposed architecture in this study. The proposed architecture contains four layers, which are signal sensing and processing, network, intelligent user application and Internet of Things (IoT) web application layers. A proof of concept prototype was designed and implemented based on the proposed architecture. The signal sensing and processing layer was implemented to produce a smart refuse bin, which is a bin that contains the Arduino microcontroller board, Wi-Fi transceiver, proximity sensor, gas sensor, temperature sensor and other relevant electronic components. The network layer provides interconnectivity among the layers via the internet. The intelligent user application layer was realized with non browser client application, statistical feature extraction and pattern classifiers. Whereas the IoT web application layer was realised with ThingSpeak, which is an online web application for IoT based projects. The sensors in the smart refuse bin, generates multivariate dataset that corresponds to the status of refuse in the bin. Training and testing features were extracted from the dataset using first order statistical feature extraction method. Afterward, Multilayer Perceptron Artificial Neural Network (MLP-ANN) and support vector machine were trained and compared experimentally. The MLP-ANN gave the overall best accuracy of 98.0%, and the least mean square error of 0.0036. The ThingSpeak web application connects seamlessly at all times via the internet to receive data from the smart refuse bin. Refuse disposal management agents can therefore query ThingSpeak for refuse status data via the non browser client application. The client application, then uses the trained MLP-ANN to appositely classify such data in order to determine the status of the bin. / M

This study was conducted in South Africa. South Africa is the first country within the Southern African Development Community to have regulated plastic shopping bags waste through the imposition of both a standard on thickness and a levy. Given this scenario, the Plastic Bags Regulations present an illustrative case for researching complexity, uncertainty and controversies surrounding a new trend in environmental policy making, namely waste product regulation. The thesis focuses on understanding and investigating tensions, debates and responses emerging from the policy process as actors and actor-networks put not only the Plastic Bags Regulations asfocal actant (token) but also other actants and actant-networks as well. To this end, a research question that addressed environmental policies, tensions, debates and responses that informed the development of South Africa's Plastic Bags Regulations was spelt out. The research objectives included the need to: (I) analyse selected international environmental policy processes surrounding plastic shopping bags litter and waste regulation and how these influenced developments in South Africa; (2) identify actors, actants and actor/actant-networks that shaped and were being transformed by South Africa's Plastic Bags Regulations and explain the tensions, debates and responses arising in the policy processes; (3) identify environmental policy outputs and assess outcomes emerging from the formulation and implementation of South Africa's Plastic Bags Regulations; and (4) establish patterns in environmental policy process reforms around South Africa's Plastic Bags Regulations. The language of actors (human), actants (non-human) and actor/actant-networks brings to the fore the aspects of processes and relationships that exist around them. As such, insights from the actor/actant-network theory (AANT) were drawn upon to inform the research. AANT enquiry framework collapses binaries such as nature/society, art/science, structure/agency and global/local historically associated with a particular type of social theory. AANT also denies that purely technical, scientific or social relations are possible (the notion of quaSi-objects or token). Data sets were generated following' the Plastic Bags Regulations as token actant with time frames ranging from prior to, during and after the formulation of the regulations. Similarly, data analysis drew insights from AANT's four moments of translation namely problematisation, interessement, enrolment and mobilisation, with the intervention theory providing an evaluative perspective that complemented AANT. The findings were that after the promulgation of the first draft of the Plastic Bags Regulations in May 2000, tensions emerged around the nature of regulation (whether command and control - preferred by government or self regulation - preferred by industry and labour). In this regard the latter group raised concerns about jobs, income and equipment loss as well as the need to have a holistic approach to waste management rather than targeting a single product at a time whilst the former maintained that this would not be so. As such, education, awareness and stringent antilitter penalties were proposed by industry and labour as sustainable responses to the problem of plastic shopping bags waste rather than regulation. These debates continued and resulted in minor amendments to the original regulations as finalised by Government in May 2002. However, industry and labour continued lobbying government resulting in the conclusion of the Plastic Bags Agreement in September 2002 and the ultimate repulsion of the May 2002 regulations in May 2003. As revealed by this research, these responses led to broader social responses and further tensions as demand for plastic shopping bags went down by about 80% although an estimated 1000 jobs were lost and a number of companies lost equipment and business (with some closing down) following the implementation of the regulations. During implementation, debates emerged around the need to promote locally made carry facilities with two alternatives in sight namely: the Green Bag and the Biodegradable Plastic Bag. Debates also took place regarding enforcement of the new law resulting in the amendments of various pieces of legislation including the Environmental Conservation Act, Environmental Management Act and the Revenue Laws Act. Overall, a 15-year policy reform cycle and sub-cycles was determined. The research also established that the government considered the regulations a success and was already implementing simi lar initiatives to regulate other waste products, among them, used tyres, used oil and glass, confirming the trend towards waste product regulation in South Africa. From these research findings, a series of conceptual frameworks were drawn up to clarify the nature of tensions, debates and responses surrounding certain lead actors, actants and actorlactant-networks. Some of the conceptual frameworks that emerged around the actors and actor-networks include Organised Government, Organised Industry and Organised Labour. Conceptual frameworks that emerged around key actants and actant-networks include the Integrated Pollution and Waste Management, Plastic Bags Regulations as well as the discourses surrounding the Green bag and biodegradable plastic bags. The thesis concludes by reflecting on how the above and the grand actor/actant-network conceptual frameworks emerging from this research might be adopted with varying degrees of flexibility to research environmental and waste management policy processes in different waste product regulation set-ups. / KMBT_363 / Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in

This paper is an investigation into the role of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality (NMBMM) in the up-keep and management of open spaces, in Zwide Township. The study examines the manner in which the legislative framework for waste management is being implemented as prescribed in legislative directives. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act, 1996 (Act 108 of 1996), envisions the transformation of the local government system. Subsequently, policy frameworks and principles have been developed to support the new vision of local government. The Batho Pele Principles and the white paper were passed in March 1998. Both documents spelt out the implementation of the principle and the framework in which the local government system should operate as set out in the developmental local government concept. The developmental local government system’s core ethos lies in working with local citizenry to find ways of meeting their needs, thereby improving their quality of life. It also makes provision for public participation. Ward councillors and ward committees are an indispensable backbone of community participation. It is assumed in this study that a number of environmental, social, economic and health challenges are associated with waste disposal in open spaces. Such hazards range from health risks to the abuse of open spaces by antisocial individuals and groups. The situation is exacerbated by poor implementation of constitutional and legislative directives regarding waste management and disposal to ensure a humane and environmentally friendly atmosphere. The research assumes that the problem cannot be overcome by the NMBMM alone. Well-orchestrated community awareness education programmes such as projects like “trash is cash “and innovative ways of managing waste, including waste recycling, need to be drawn upon. The strategic placement of waste stations and the timeous collection of waste could improve the situation. The observation is that the level of service delivery varies within residential areas and in socioeconomic strata. The previously disadvantaged areas seem to have borne the brunt in terms of poor waste management services until now. The municipality has been accustomed to a situation whereby it removes the waste on an ad hoc basis in selected areas in the townships. The situation is exacerbated by little foresight into the ever growing population, specifically amongst the lower socioeconomic sector of the population. As a result, the ecology and environment is impacted in a negative way. Amidst the challenges of dumping in open spaces, a sense of determination appears within the community to want to prevent the situation; to illustrate: There is an organized group of youths who have cleaned up open spaces at along Qeqe Street in Zwide. They developed a car wash bay as a venture to generate an income. The Green Township Movement is another scheme which is mobilising the community, street by street, to keep their neighbourhood environmentally clean and green. Potentially, the Waste Management Directorate could collaborate with these groupings to halt waste dumping in open spaces. In so doing they could contribute to establishing an environmentally friendly neighbourhood. The NMBMM needs therefore to take advantage of the situation and reengineer its waste management strategy, policies and directives and augment the initiatives that the community have taken upon themselves. The study will endeavour to ultimately advise on viable strategies in an attempt to unravel barriers that have been identified, while simultaneously addressing the challenges to improving the quality of life in the township. This will be done by analysing a legislative framework and thereafter replicating the best practice used locally, nationally and internationally.. It also seeks to associate with individuals within local government in addition to groups that are like minded in combating the concern. The existing environmental regulations and the present economic situation are sound starting points. Together they present an opportunity to change the prevailing attitudes towards recycling. Finally, a number of conclusions that were arrived at during the study will be followed by recommendations. These will be based on the literature review and observations.

The potential hazards to the environment and to human health posed by several types of household hazardous wastes (HHW) and waste products are discussed in this paper. This discussion serves to lead into an evaluation of the design and operating parameters of a collection program for these wastes, and the influence that various design parameters may have on the ability of the collection program to remove the wastes from uncontrolled waste stream. A review of existing HHW collection programs and of surveys regarding HHW's is presented. A survey of over 200 households in Vancouver was conducted to determine stored quantities and generation characteristics of specific household hazardous wastes. Respondents were also asked to identify their preferences and concerns regarding the design of a collection program for these wastes. The results were used to estimate the quantities of HHW disposed of annually, and the quantities and profiles of wastes that could be received at a typical depot collection program in the City. Different operating parameters for both depot collection programs and household collection programs were compared. Public willingness to participate in different collection programs was evaluated, and the collection needs of different residential areas was assessed. Significant differences in waste generation and storage practices were indicated to exist between types of dwellings, and between areas of differing economic status. Examples include the result that as many or more apartments residents generated HHW's as did detached dwelling residents, but in significantly smaller quantities, especially for liquid HHW's. Apartment residents also tended to store less HHW than detached dwelling residents. Between upper income and lower income detached dwelling areas, the composition of HHW's was significantly different, with automotive products more prevalent in the lower income area and paints more prevalent in the upper income area. Other differences between dwelling type and income level differentiated areas were also noted. Further observations included the difference in the willingness of respondents to participate in various types of collection programs, and the disposal practices for different waste types. Also, concerns of the respondents with regard to the issue of HHW in general and to each type of collection program in specific were solicited and discussed. Recommendations were made to assist in the design of an effective HHW collection program for the City of Vancouver. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Civil Engineering, Department of / Graduate

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Health Sciences: Environmental Health, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / The Durban University of Technology (DUT) signed the Taillores Declaration (TD) in an attempt to deal with environmental issues and subsequently waste management challenges. A few projects have been initiated within the institution to realise the TD ten point action plans. Currently there is limited data regarding the status quo at DUT. A quantitative descriptive study was conducted to analyse the situation with regards to waste management and recycling practices and to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of students towards waste management and recycling at DUT. An audit of the refuse receptacles was conducted and information obtained was plotted out on a map of two selected campuses. A questionnaire was used to collect data on the practices of waste management and recycling from nine departments. A total of 403 students from the Indumiso and Riverside campuses of DUT were recruited for the KAP study. The findings revealed that refuse receptacles are provided inconsistently and that there is a lack of planning around the provision of these receptacles. Departmental practices regarding waste management and recycling were found to vary from one department to the next. The KAP study results indicated that the students’ knowledge regarding waste management and recycling is poor and their attitudes and practices towards waste management and recycling may be improved by education and enforcement of policy. It is essential to develop a policy regarding waste management and recycling for DUT. In addition, a learning programme should be implemented for all new students entering DUT and during orientation. / M

Thesis (MPA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2017 / The purpose of the study was to explore public perception on how sanitation has effects on the environment in the Polokwane Local Municipality. Quantitative, analytical research was conducted to determine community perceptions regarding the state of sanitation in Polokwane, that is to establish the perception of the effectiveness of the waste and refuse removal programme and to determine the extent of land pollution in the Polokwane Local Municipality. Data collection was done using structured questionnaires in which community members participated in the study. The total number of respondents, who were community members sampled randomly, was N = 136. The study has highlighted the areas of potential on perceptions of the community regarding the state of sanitation in Polokwane and the relationship of the perception, sanitation practices, the effectiveness of the waste and refuse removal programme and the extent of land pollution in Polokwane and settlement type. The findings of the research study include the following:  The study reveals that the Polokwane Local Municipality does not provide adequate sanitation throughout the municipality especially in the rural settlements;  The results reveal that the Polokwane Local Municipality still has a long way in the prevention and control of land pollution and river streams;  The study further finds that there is no frequent waste removal in the municipality especially in the suburban and rural settlement;  Furthermore, results reveal that there is no adequate hygiene education provision in the Polokwane Local Municipality. In conclusion, it is evident that the Polokwane Local Municipality experiences challenges of the provision of sanitation to the communities especially those who live in rural settlements. In the 21st century and two decades after democracy in South Africa, the residents of Polokwane still experiences sanitation challenges that were promised to be addressed in the dawn of democracy in 1994. Those challenges are land pollution, infrequent waste removal, illegal waste dumping, air and land pollution, river and stream pollution, inadequate hygiene education, inadequate sanitation provision in the rural settlement, lack of waste sorting options. The study recommends that the Polokwane local Municipality should provide adequate sanitation services in rural settlement. It should further develop measures to prevent environmental pollution and to foster communities to have a litter-free environment. The study further recommends that the municipality should have a frequent waste removal programme throughout the municipality even in the rural settlement and suburban areas. The municipality should prioritise community awareness campaigns to educate community members about the negative impact of littering. It is further recommended that, in addition to public awareness against littering, rubbish bins should be made available at all public places and street corners.

MPH / Department of Public Health

MPH / Department of Public Health / The sanitary state of an area is largely influenced by waste handling practices of the residents and measures in place for safe waste evacuation and disposal. Despite strategies that the municipality and local communities have put in place; namely, collection of wastes in one central spot in some villages, littering of all types of wastes is still on the increase in many rural areas. The focus of this study was on common refuse generated at Khakhanwa Village, different waste management practices and the knowledge of villagers on the impact of poor refuse management. The study was carried out using the quantitative, descriptive methodology. A total population of 312 households participated. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and ethical aspects were taken into consideration. Data was analysed descriptively using SPSS version 22.0. It is presented using graphs, tables and pie chart. The findings show that the respondents satisfactorily showed understanding of waste management and the impact of poor waste management. Due to lack of waste services, the majority of the residents resort to storing wastes within their homes, burning it and disposing of it in open dumping sites as major waste management practices. The most familiar wastes in Khakhanwa village are decomposable wastes, napkins and plastics. These findings call for strengthened waste services in rural areas and more waste education amongst all villagers. Policies on waste management need to be put in motion. Communities need to be equipped with the knowledge of reducing, reusing and recycling for the purpose of limiting wastes. Finally school curricula should be adjusted such that they inform learners about waste management from early ages.

Thesis (M. Sc. (Geography)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / Disposal of disposable infant diapers has emerged as one of the major challenges in solid waste management. The use of disposable infant diapers is an unmanageable challenge in many rural areas due to a lack of disposal equipment and proper disposal methods. Incorrect disposal of used disposable infant diapers causes immediate and long-term negative health, environmental, social and economic impacts on communities. Consequently, this study sought to establish the practices and effects of used diaper disposal in the community of Mashashane Village, Limpopo. Using snowball sampling, households with infants determined participants for this study. The data collection methods were observations and questionnaires. The results showed that most mothers used disposable infant diapers. All respondents indicated that they did not have proper places for disposal and as a result, they disposed of used disposable infant diapers at any convenient place such as near streams, in wetlands and open places. The study, therefore, concluded that disposal of used disposable infant diapers was not appropriately practised in Mashashane Village and that led to environmental, social and economic challenges that require immediate intervention by the municipality. The study recommended that the municipality should encourage proper disposal of used disposable infant diapers through provision of skip bins and waste collection trucks. / Risk and Vulnerability Unit University of Limpopo