Through the National Environmental Management Act (No. 107 of 1998), the South African Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) introduced the concept of the Waste Hierarchy (Reduce - Reuse - Recover - Dispose) as the only possible road towards sustainable development. This concept of sustainable waste management was extended into the Polokwane Declaration on Waste Management which identified Zero Waste as the ultimate goal for sustainable waste management systems in South Africa. Zero Waste is defined as the concept of using all waste produced in a certain area for production activities in that area when it is environmentally acceptable, socially equitable and economically viable, with unavoidable residual waste going to landfill. The aim of this thesis is to test the applicability of Zero Waste to post-consumer waste arising from rural and urban areas. The primary reason that this study has been attempted is that little research in South Africa has focused on the demand-side management of post-consumer waste, and that whatever research that has been undertaken has focused almost exclusively on waste management in urban areas. In order to realise the aim of this thesis, two case studies were selected and analysed: one rural and one urban. These case studies were selected due to differences in characteristics of the waste arising from households, existing waste management systems and socio-economic indicators for households in these areas. In each case study, a proposed Zero Waste Scheme was assessed for application based on four sustainability criteria: environmental, social, economical and institutional. The Zero Waste Schemes are based on the conceptual Zero Waste Model (ZWM) that has been specifically developed as the main tool for conducting this research. The development and use of the ZWM in assessing waste management systems in South Africa is a significant contribution of this thesis to knowledge. Generally, the results showed that the proposed Zero Waste Schemes could meet three of the evaluation criteria used in the investigation, but could not meet the fourth: institutional sustainability. For this reason, the Zero Waste Schemes could not be implemented since the municipalities responsible for waste management in those areas did not have the capacity administrative, financial resources and political will - to implement them. Thus, institutional sustainability has been shown to be the main constraint in the application of Zero Waste Schemes in post-consumer waste management systems in South Africa. This is another significant contribution of this thesis to knowledge.Other significant findings from this study reveal that rural areas lack basic waste collection and disposal systems; hence this lack in service delivery prevents full implementation of Zero Waste Schemes in these areas. In contrast, households in urban areas are served by integrated waste management systems that extend to most households, and most of these households are able to finance the waste management services provided. The existence of the integrated waste management systems was used as a basis for introducing waste minimisation and at-source separation of recyclables in order to reduce the amount of waste needing disposal. Education of households in urban areas has been identified as a key factor in establishing Zero Waste Schemes in the case study areas. In conclusion, it has been shown in this thesis that although Zero Waste Schemes are theoretically applicable to rural and urban areas of South Africa, institutional constraints that will have to be overcome in order to make Zero Waste a reality. Implicit in this conclusion is the extension of waste collection services to rural households and the full participation of rural and urban households in Zero Waste Schemes, participation which can only be verified by actual implementation of the schemes. This is the next step in the approach towards Zero Waste within post-consumer waste management in South Africa. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.

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.

Cosmo City was established as a pilot project to integrate the low, middle and high income communities to live together and share common resources like schools, medical facilities, churches and shopping centres. Over a period of seven years, waste management has become a problem leading to littering, illegal dumping and overfilling of skips. Perceptions of waste management in different income households were studied. The specific objectives were, willingness of households to separate waste from source, health concerns emanating when one interacts with waste at the sources, effect of incentives on household’s willingness to separate waste from source, household’s opinion on including the waste pickers in the formal waste management system. Data was collected using structured questionnaire and interviews. The results indicated that 30% of low income households, 23% of middle income households and 10% of high income households recycle waste. The study revealed that 78% of low income households, 78% of middle income households and 80% of high income households were willing to sort waste from source. Overall results showed about 20% drop when sorting waste without incentives was suggested. 52% of low income households, 55% middle income households and 48% high income households rated hygiene as the major health concern on sorting waste from source. 85% of low income households, 77% of low income household, 71% of middle income and 78% of high income households support the incorporation of waste pickers in the formal waste management system. The results related to perceptions of the community on waste management suggest that the three different communities are willing to participate in waste management and support the incorporation of the waste pickers in the formal waste management system. In general this study should serve as a guideline for legislation, policy and regulations formulation. Integrated solid waste management that involves waste pickers and separation of waste from source can help with job creation, boosts the economy and deviate waste from landfilling to recycling. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Management)

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.

Waste is not only harmful to the environment alone but it is also a threat to human health and as such its proper management becomes critical. This study which adopted a qualitative approach focused on the review of policies for sustainable solid waste management service in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in an effort to seek what the municipality’s Solid Waste Department should consider in ensuring that all the communities live in a litter free, clean and healthy environment, and ensure that such a service is received by all communities within its jurisdiction. The most sustainable solid waste management strategy would be to adopt the solid waste hierarchy of promoting waste minimisation, re-use, recycling, waste treatment and disposal as the last resort.

M.Sc. (Environmental Management) / Over the last eighteen years or so, the Gauteng province has attracted the greatest proportion (45.6%) of foreigners in South Africa. Along with rapid population growth, accelerated rural-urban migration and the rise of low-income houses and informal settlements, some of the District Municipalities around the City of Johannesburg and other urban centres have witnessed increased concentration of population and settlements. In many instances, the capacity of local municipalities to provide adequate infrastructure and services has been severely compromised, especially with respect to the achievement of integrated and sustainable waste management and waste minimisation interventions, including the reuse, recovery and recycling of municipal solid waste. Inevitably, local municipalities are struggling to successfully deliver effective waste management services within their jurisdiction, despite the lack of space for new landfill sites in urban complexes and the promulgation of new laws, regulations and strategies for achieving waste minimisation in South Africa. However, there is paucity of research on how municipalities are performing with respect to waste management challenges and minimisation initiatives, given the new waste management and regulatory regime in South Africa. Considering that the Gauteng-City region has limited space for new landfills, the need to maximise the use, effectiveness and efficiency of current landfill sites is of strategic importance. Hence, this study has examined the effectiveness and efficiency of current waste management and minimisation trends in two District Municipalities in the Gauteng province. To this end, questionnaire surveys have been undertaken in the study areas, making use of purposive sampling methods. The surveys undertaken targeted key individuals in the municipalities and some of the managers of landfill sites. The survey also included the role of informal waste reclaimers and the quantities of waste they recover and sell as well as some of the operational barriers they are experiencing. Findings emanating from this study indicate that more emphasis is placed on the traditional waste management approach through ‘unsustainable’ landfilling rather than providing an enabling management framework for enhancing and promoting waste minimisation through waste prevention and recycling. Failure by local municipalities to encourage waste recycling initiatives is of serious concern, especially in view of the fact that existing landfill sites in West Rand District Municipality have a limited lifespan. The need to preserve landfill space is therefore vital and the best way to achieve this is to reduce the amount of waste being disposed off. The current practice of unrestricted solid waste generation and its disposal and the low level of waste recycling suggests that most local municipalities in the study area lack the capability to make a substantial contribution to waste minimisation. For further research, it is recommended that more surveys should be undertaken in other Metropolitan Municipalities of the Gauteng province, including the City of Johannesburg, City of Tshwane and Ekurhuleni. Such studies would provide additional insights on the extent of waste minimisation in these areas and whether or not the goals of integrated and sustainable waste management are being achieved in South Africa.

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.

This research report submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Environmental Science. Johannesburg, 2016 Research work and course work. Johannesburg, 2016. / The unprecedented population growth, urbanisation and accelerating living standards, significant amounts of solid waste have accumulated all over the world. These changes, therefore, left most municipalities in African countries grappling to find viable solutions to their waste management problems (Özbay 2015). Indeed, studies have shown that the estimated annual growth rate of MSW is 3.2% to 4.5% for developed countries and 2% to 3% for developing countries (Özbay 2015). Notably, continuous increase in accumulation of solid wastes poses risks to not only human health but to the ecological environment (Al-Khatib, Kontogianni, Abu Nabaa, Alshami & Al-Sari 2015; Menikpura, Gheewala & Bonnet 2012). Improper waste management stems from the poor implementations of policies and regulations, to identify the most sustainable approaches to dealing with waste as to meet environmental and socio-economic aspirations, to address waste management efficiently. The objectives of this research are as follow:  Locate, consolidate and organise secondary data that is relevant to understanding the specific waste management situation of Benoni, Ekurhuleni.  Identify the importance of Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM).  Analyse these data and determine how it can be utilised in the case of Benoni.  Identify and suggest the best strategy implement an effective MSWM system, and  Discuss the difficulties and challenges faced by Benoni and Ekurhuleni at large, due to ineffective and inefficient MSWM. The case study area Benoni is a mere example to highlight waste management burdens and challenges, which might be characteristic of most African towns. This research seeks to understand the solid waste collection and proper disposal in informal areas of Benoni and the environmental impacts thereof. In particular, the research assumes that there is yet to be implemented a more rigid and structured approach to waste management in the area which justifies and necessitates the need for research aimed at shedding light on how modern waste management systems can be adapted to the case of the informal settlements in this area. Proper waste management implementation will benefit both the specific community in informal parts of Benoni as well as the global practice of waste management. This study used the qualitative method to describe, explore, and discover phenomena related to MSWM in Benoni (Creswell, 2003). Qualitative research is typically interpretive, with the researcher using critical analysis for the interpretation of data collected (Shenton & Hay-Gibson, 2009). The quantitative research uses hypotheses in determining the form, quantity, and scope of data to be collected (Morse & Richards 2002). In doing so, the researcher pre-empts alternative ways through which the study questions may be addressed. On the other hand, qualitative investigations are not pre-emptive. In this study of MSWM in Benoni, the form, quantity, and scope of inquiry hinged upon the research questions, the study purpose, and goals, as well as from the data collected (Morse & Richards 2002). 3 Benoni has reached the dilemma in which adverse health and environmental impacts of ineffective waste management are felt, while the numbers of landfill sites have been decreasing with no planning in evidence for establishing new ones. Because of these, improvements to Benoni's MSWM will entail the cooperation of all tiers of Government as well as industry and the commercial sectors. The EMM will have to restructure the recycling industry with the support of waste management legislation. An option that EMM has is to contemplate upon the outsourcing of the management of sanitary landfill sites to public-private partnerships, based on study findings that these discharges are better managed in South Africa (Naidoo 2009). In the case of Benoni, albeit the EMM has sufficient resources to manage waste effectively, there were numerous gaps related to the challenges that exist within the municipality's waste management sector. For instance, household wastes are not timely collected, and no notices are given when collection dates are changed (Tembon 2012). Apart from these, Benoni has an underdeveloped recycling system perhaps largely because the EMM itself has no comprehensive municipal recycling program and recycling facilities. Somehow, this contradicts the impression being given by providers that they have access to all the necessary resources needed for them to be effective in their work. This research will discuss an approach to strengthening the capacity to solve the problems that come with MSWM, along with investigating whether modern waste management practices are be present implemented such as; waste diversion from landfills, as well as shifting from incinerators and using unlined landfill sites to more sustainable methods. Based on the combined experiences in the three cases, some recommendations may stand in Benoni Ekurhuleni. First, every member of the community should be empowered with education and skills on waste management to increase their levels of participation in waste sorting at the source of generation. Public involvement will encourage effective recycling that ultimately generates income. This will be particularly useful to Benoni's squatter communities. Benoni has to look into the possibility of providing skills to informal settlers so that they can construct well-planned houses for themselves. With assistance from the national government, the EMM can decide whether this type of housing can be subsidised. Third, it is essential that EMM involves stakeholders from the different sectors of the municipal area in the planning and implementation of waste management strategies. Group leaders from various communities as well as social groups such as church communities should be invited to participate because they are crucial links between the council and the community. / LG2017

Thesis (MTech (Environmental Health))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2007 / The waste management that is taking place in the Breede Valley district focus mainly on disposal and end-of-pipe solutions. This approach resulted in serious negative impacts on the environment and human health. Improper waste management practices have become a major source of concern due to the risk associated with poor waste management in the area. Indiscriminate dumping of waste at street corners is very common. The basic waste management processes of collection, transport, segregation and [mal disposal appear to be very inefficient and inadequate. The objective of this study was to determine the composition of the waste stream as well as public awareness, attitudes and behaviours towards current and alternative waste management practices. A waste assessment study was conducted to determine the amount of waste generated by the different communities, as well as how much and what of the recyclables can be taken out of the waste stream by recycling. For this study data was obtained by formulation of questionnaires for businesses, communities and medical practitioners, as well as an interview with the Engineering Department of the Breede Valley Municipality about the current waste management situation in the area. From the data obtain from businesses, communities and medical facilities, it is clear that public participation, partnership, education and awareness is essential for effective integrated waste management. This study revealed that waste management practices are inefficient, uncontrolled and fragmented. This investigation shows that there is a huge difference between the different communities in terms of the volume of waste generation. The study also shows that waste related legislation is outdated and fragmented and there is no enforcement by municipal officials. The major Issues and challenges that affect the management of waste. include its organisational structure and lack of waste minimisation plans.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: As the world enters a new millennium, global awareness of environmental issues have reached new heights. No longer is the environment seen as an all-absorbing and allproviding resource. Rather, there exists a greater awareness that without active management, the inherent risks and hazards - posed by both the natural environment and humankind's interaction with this environment - will be realised. In order to ensure a sustainable co-existence, humanity's interaction with the surrounding. environment must be managed in a responsible manner. In this regard, all aspects of this interaction require attention. Various frameworks, manifested in a variety of forms, have been proposed. One of the most basic aspects of species existence is the generation of waste. Human existence is no different. However, as a result of the variety of activities that characterise humans' existence on Earth, the generation of waste represents the most tangible and probably the most threatening aspect of this interaction. This study focuses on waste management from an environmental perspective at a specific institution, namely the University of Stellenbosch. In terms of its findings, the study has established the applicability of various regulatory and institutional frameworks within which the University operate. These frameworks address the role of the University both in terms of waste management and sustainable development. It has established the types of waste generated, the generating processes, the storage, and removal and disposal characteristics of waste management at the University. Waste management at the University is determined to be complex and fragmented, the result of a variety of activities occurring. It has established that limited waste minimisation and reduction activities occur, even though the University had identified effective and efficient resource use as a strategic priority. Although attempts at improving waste management are admittedly underway, the study has found that adopting an environmental management system approach to waste management will enable the University to meet pending legislative and institutional environmental commitments. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Met die binnetree van 'n nuwe millennium het wêreldwye bewustheid van omgewingskwessies nuwe hoogtes bereik. Die omgewing word nie meer bloot beskou as 'n alles-absorberende en alles-voorsienende hulpbron nie. Veel eerder groei bewustheid van die noodsaak vir aktiewe bestuursingryping om die gevare en bedreigings inherent aan die natuurlike omgewing, en die mens se interaksie daarmee, die hoof te bied. Ter wille van volhoubare saambestaan moet die mens-omgewing interaksie op verantwoordelike wyse bestuur word. Alle aspekte van hierdie interaksie vereis aandag en 'n verskeidenheid raamwerke in 'n verskeidenheid formate is hiervoor voorgestel. Die produksie van afval is een van die mees basiese kenmerke van lewensbestaan. Menslike bestaan is nie daarbo verhewe nie. Weens die verskeidenheid aktiwiteite wat menslike bestaan kenmerk, is die produksie van afval die mees tasbare en waarskynlik mees bedreigende manifestasie van mens-omgewing interaksie. Hierdie tesis fokus op afvalbestuur uit die invalshoek van die omgewing, soos dit beslag kry aan 'n spesifieke instansie, naamlik die Universiteit van Stellenbosch. Die studie het ten aanvang die implikasies van die verskeidenheid regulatoriese en institusionele raamwerke waarin die universiteit opereer, bevestig. Hierdie raamwerke omvat die rol van die Universiteit beide in terme van afvalbestuur en volhoubare ontwikkeling. Die tipes afval wat aan die instansie gegenereer word is geklassifiseer en die genererings-, opbergings-, verwyderings- en verwerkingsprosesse en verantwoordelikhede is vasgestel en gedokumenteer. Afvalbestuur aan die Universiteit blyk kompleks en gefragmenteerd te wees, hoofsaaklik as gevolg van die wye verskeidenheid afval-skeppingsbronne wat hier aangetref word. Ook is bevind dat, ten spyte van die instansie se identifisering van effektiewe hulpbrongebruik as 'n strategiese prioriteit, slegs beperkte afval-inkorting en -reduksie aan die instansie plaasvind. Hoewel daar tans 'n aktiewe proses geloods word om afvalbestuur te verbeter, beveel die studie die aanvaarding, ontwerp en implementering van 'n veel meer wydlopende en holistiese benadering in die vorm van 'n geïntegreerde omgewingsbestuurstelsel aan. Slegs hierdeur sal die Universiteit in staat wees om aan die volgende vlaag wetgewing rakende afvalbestuur te voldoen en ook verantwoordelike omgewingsverbintenis te demonstreer.