The aim of the research was to critically assess and investigate the current solid waste management methods and practices of households and in an urban area in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) Bluewater Bay, Port Elizabeth. In order to achieve the research objective, the following sub-research objectives/questions need to be considered: 1. What is the level of awareness and understanding of the waste management principles (avoid, reduce, recycle and dispose) in Bluewater Bay households? 2. How do households handle and manage solid waste in Bluewater Bay? 3. What is the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality doing to raise awareness regarding waste problems and waste management? 4. What information is disseminated to the public to keep them informed regarding waste management? 5. What incentives and support for the reduction, reuse and recycling of waste does the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality offer? Fifty households were sampled for the case study and the study employed qualitative research methods consisting of a three-prong approach, the first was the questionnaire for Bluewater Bay residents, the second was semi-structured interviews for relevant Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality officials, and the third was a review of existing national documents pertaining to waste management legislation including national and international literature. The findings of the study show that there is an awareness of waste management principles in the study area and that residents are willing to participate in sustainable waste management activities. Some are already taking part out of their own free will, even though the conditions are not conducive and the environment is not enabling. There is community awareness about waste management principles in the area and a lack of information regarding waste management in general. Residents are willingto avoid, reduce, recycle and dispose of waste sustainably. They find it important but the necessary facilities are not available. The municipality does not provide that in the area. The research also made recommendations in order to realise the implementation of integrated waste management techniques and principles in the area.

Bibliography: pages 101-109. / The over-production by Man of waste and the consequent threat to life on Earth motivated this study of urban solid waste legislation and its application in South Africa. "Urban solid waste" was seen as solid waste generated within an urban area by secondary industrial and commercial processes, domestic activities and littering, and deposited on land. The unique South African context, in which the relevant legislation has developed and been applied, was acknowledged. The overall objective was both: a) to ascertain the extent to which the relevant legislation and fulfils its functions in terms of its raison d'etre, and achieves its objectives; b) to formulate guiding principles for reform of the legislation. In order to achieve the overall objective, the following five specific objectives were undertaken: 1; To ascertain which existing and contemplated South African legislation relates to urban solid waste. 2. To establish: * the raison d'etre of legislation, * accepted criteria for good legislation. 3. To evaluate the relevant legislation, using the aforesaid criteria. 4. To ascertain, from waste managers: * problems experienced or foreseen by them whilst operating within the relevant legislation, and * their proposed solutions to those problems. 5. To formulate guiding principles for reform of the legislation.

Ph.D. (Chemistry) / South Africa has a background in which the regulatory system has major limitations, especially with reference to an integrated approach to waste and pollution. The situation has been rectified with the promulgation of new legislation that will approach pollution and waste in an integrated and holistic manner. This new approach also emphasizes that waste should be minimised at all levels, including the household level. The aim of this study has been to determine the influence of waste recovery and organic recycling, at household level, on the waste stream within an urban area in South Africa. The following research aims set for this study were: • To discuss the development of waste minimisation, with specific reference to the South African situation and legislative framework. • To investigate waste recovery and organic recycling as a waste management strategy by reviewing literature. • To investigate a waste recovery and organic recycling strategy within a local transitional council by making use of an empirical study. The most important conclusions gained from reviewing the literature are the following: • South Africa has adopted the Integrated Waste Management Approach, which includes recovery and recycling at source as well as organic recycling. • International case studies, incorporating both developed and developing countries, indicate that organic recycling and waste recovery programmes could be implemented successfully in South Africa with resulting benefits for the communities, service providers and the environment. The aim of the empirical component was to determine the following: • The effect of implementation of organic recycling and waste recovery measures on the waste stream at households level. • The comparative effect of organic recycling and waste recovery rates between a training and non-training group. • The respondent's experiences of the organic recycling.

Thesis (MTech (Public Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. / The communities of Khayelitsha face problems with regard to managing waste. Increase on the generation of solid waste in the households by the members of the community; far exceed the townships’ ability and capability for safe disposal. Littering in the township is also a persistent problem, despite various clean–up and anti-litter promotional campaigns and programs introduced by local government, private organizations and other community interest groups. The persistent problem of litter and mismanagement of solid waste in the household should be addressed. The rationale and assumption underpinning this study was that waste management problems are related to social norms and attitude of the people of Khayelitsha. To investigate this phenomenon, the study adopted a qualitative paradigm. 300 heads of household residing in Khayelitsha for more than 5 years were surveyed, and door to door interview questions were conducted in 2016 June. Data from the questionnaire were analysed using Thematic and coding analysis. NVivo software was used to generate frequency tables. The responses to most interview questions were consistent for all categories of respondents and did not vary according to respondents’ background, such as gender, location household size or education. The study showed that social norms and attitudes towards waste minimisation in Khayelitsha are related to the entire waste management operation, and householders in Khayelitsha think similarly. To improve waste management in Khayelitsha the following are recommended: • Government and business need to consider incentives to minimise waste; • Government needs to improve waste management service facilities and build recycling centre which are accessible to the community; and • Government and non-governmental organizations and community members should consider awareness, education and training programs on waste wise management.

Garden refuse has been seen to constitute a significant proportion of the total waste stream received at landfills in the eThekwini Municipal Area (EMA). With the growing demand for conserving “precious landfill airspace” as a result of limited availability of land for new landfill development, there is a shift in the mindsets of landfill operators to adopt alternative methods of treatment other than the traditional way of landfilling. As a result composting of green waste stream was seen as the most appropriate treatment solution as not only would there be a direct landfill airspace saving but the added environmental, economical and social sustainable benefits to the city. The first South African Waste Summit saw the signing of the Polokwane Declaration i.e. “Reduce waste generation and disposal by 50% and 25% respectively by 2012 and develop a plan for ZERO WASTE by 2022”. Hence, the push for composting to try and achieve waste reduction to landfills. The Dome Aeration Technology (DAT) is an advanced treatment option for aerobic biological degradation of garden refuse (Mollekopf et al, 2002, Trois and Polster, 2006). The originality of the DAT system is the use of passive aeration brought about by thermal driven advection through open windrows which is induced by thermal differences between the composting material and the ambient atmosphere (Polster, 2003). Previous work on organic waste composting using the DAT on a small scale showed that good quality compost was attainable within 6 weeks of composting (Moodley 2005). This study offers comparative performances between DAT system and Traditional Turned Windrows (TTW) in composting garden refuse and recommending the most appropriate system for integration into existing landfill operations. Full scale windrows were constructed for each system at the Bisasar Road Landfill Site in Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal to evaluate the influence of climate, quality of compost, operational requirements and feasibility. The process monitoring for the DAT windrow showed that temperatures reached thermophilic ranges within a week of composting which confirms that of the German studies. Waste characterisation of both input and output materials are discussed for both systems with recommendations on the most practical and appropriate system applicable to that of an operational landfill are drawn. The study further concludes with potential uses of the composted garden refuse within landfill sites and its contribution to “closed loop” landfilling yet within an integrated waste management plan. / Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

Disposal of garden waste is a major concern globally and particularly in a developing / Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.

A final research report submitted in fulfilment of part of the requirements for the degree of MSc Project management in construction in the school of construction economics and management, University of Witwatersrand / Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste generation is a universal problem and available landfill space is reducing as landfills reach capacity. Despite the huge effect of construction and demolition waste on the environment, there has been very little research on legislation around waste, and it is therefore increasingly important that compliance with legislation pertaining to management and disposal of construction and demolition waste be assessed. This study explored departmental awareness of the Waste Act in the City of Johannesburg municipality and also in the utility Pikitup, and assessed how the Act has been able to reduce waste. Qualitative data collection techniques in the form of unstructured interviews were used to interview 4 persons in the City of Johannesburg legal department, and 3 persons in the Pikitup department. The challenges and barriers the municipality faces due to the ineffectiveness of the relevant legislation were assessed to gain insight into difficulties with compliance. In addition, the study evaluated the effectiveness of the enforcement strategies that have been used. The results revealed that there is little or no awareness of the legislation so it is difficult for construction site workers to apply it effectively in their waste management activities. In addition, the results exposed a need for a review of the Waste Act as it applies to smaller construction firms and also renovation works, since it was found that it is impracticable for smaller companies to comply effectively with the legislation. All in all, this research sheds more light on the legislation and its purpose, and also on the reasons why it has been quite difficult to achieve compliance with this legislation in the construction and demolition sector. The research will enable useful recommendations for the municipality and also potentially raise awareness of the importance of legislation within the construction community. Key words: Construction waste, Creation, Disposal, Legislation, Management, / GR2017

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

Thesis (MTech (Environmental Health))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2007 / This study examined the medical waste management practices of Tygerberg Hospital. The researcher made use of both primary and secondaiy data. Since this was a is study, the analysis is essentially descriptive.The results of this study revealed that both general and medical wastes are generated in the hospital. Tygerberg Hospital does not quantify medical waste. Segregation of medical wastes into infectious medical waste and non-infectious medical waste is not conducted according to definite rules and standards. The hospital does not label infectious waste with Biohazard symbol. Separation of medical waste and municipal waste is however practiced to a satisfactory extent. Wheeled trolleys are used for on-site transportation of waste from the points of production (different wards) to the temporary storage area. Staff responsible for collecting medical waste use almost complete personal protective equipment. The results of this study indicated that off-site transportation of the hospital waste is undertaken by a private waste management company. Waste is transported daily and small pickups are mainly used by the waste management company for transporting the waste to an off-site area for treatment and disposal. The final disposal of the medical waste is done by the private waste management company. The main treatment method used in the final disposal of infectious waste is incineration. Non-infectious waste is disposed of using land disposal method. The hospital does not recycle medical waste materials except white office paper and mixed office paper and the use of empty containers of antiseptics for the collection and temporary storage of sharps.The hospital does not provide training for staff members on the health and environmental effects of infectious waste. The waste management company's workers have also not received any formal training with regards to medical waste management. The study showed that Tygerberg Hospital does not have a policy and plan in place for managing medical waste. There is no definite policy or plan for purchasing the necessary equipment and for providing the facilities for the correct management of medical waste in the hospital. There are also no policies and guidelines regarding the recycling of medical waste products. There are a number of problems the hospital faces in terms of medical waste management, including; lack of necessary rules, regulations and instructions on the different aspects of collection and disposal of waste, intermingling of hazardous wastes with domestic waste in the hospital sometimes, failure to quantify the waste generated in reliable records, lack of use of coloured bags by limiting the bags to only one colour for all waste, the absence of a dedicated waste manager, the supervisor in charge of general services has waste management as part of his job schedule, and there is no committee responsible for monitoring the management of medical waste. From the results of this study, it is obvious that medical waste management is not practiced according to the World Health Organisation's (WHO's) recommended standards. There are some areas where medical wastes are not properly managed. It is imperative for significant investment in the proper management of medical waste in order to reduce the health risk it poses.