The Clean Community System (CCS) is a method of waste management education widely used in the USA by the Keep America Beautiful organization. The CCS has been applied by the eThekwini Municipality since 1981. The training of staff and volunteers in the CCS has to date been limited and based on the American model. The aim of this study is to provide guidelines for the training of participants in the Clean Community System in the South African context. This will be achieved by a study of two community groups that have successfully applied the CCS. The results of the research will be compared with the principles of the CCS and relevant literature. The conclusions drawn from the study will provide guidelines for the training of participants in the CCS. / Further Teacher Education / M. Ed. (Didactics)

Waste minimisation is implemented worldwide and has become an urgent priority in South Africa as evidenced in the promulgated National Environmental Management Waste Act (2008). The most common waste disposal method in South Africa is by landfill, which is unacceptable. Local municipalities have made little progress towards waste minimisation. The aim of this study was to present a solution to waste minimisation for the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality (CTMM) by determining the feasibility of establishing composting facilities on landfill sites. One third of all municipal waste consists of green waste, which is compostable and can be converted on landfill sites. Nine municipal landfill sites were screened. The four most feasible sites were evaluated further by applying identified parameters that address physical, social and operational requirements. It is a possible to establish composting facilities on all four sites investigated, with Hatherley ranking as the most suited. The findings of this study clearly provided the basic parameters and requirements for constructing a composting facility and practical procedures applicable within a South African context. The evaluation method used can be applied as a model to evaluate similar studies in other municipalities to aid them in the decision-making process for waste minimisation. / Environmental Management / M.A. (Environmental Management)

Bibliographical refernces appear at the end of each chapter / This study reviews solid waste management practices in Polokwane City. The study area covered some of the residential areas in Polokwane City; namely; Ivy Park, Fauna Park, Welgelegen, Westernburg and the City Centre. This article describes two main methods that were used to collect data; that is Qualitative and Quantitative method. Field survey was also made to validate data obtained from the participants that were interviewed during qualitative data process. After framing the problem, the objectives of Solid Waste Management Practices in Polokwane City were briefly outlined as follows: • Assess solid waste management practices in Polokwane City. • Make comparison on how households and the municipality take responsibility in storing, collecting, transporting, treating and disposing solid waste. • Investigate what problems the City encounters in managing solid waste. • Make relevant recommendations aimed at improving solid waste management practices within the City. The service management was administered by the municipality and private sector. From the five study residential areas, the Municipality manages waste in the City Centre while the private sector manages waste in the other residential areas. However, the City continues to play an administrative role over the contracted service provider. Statistical results were presented in figures and tables. The results showed the storage habits, frequency of collection, mode of transport and methods of disposal for solid waste in Polokwane City. The only method of disposal in the city was found to be landfilling. Activities that took place at the landfill site, such as reclaiming were outlined together with the economic values that these activities add to the City. The study also revealed that as population increases, the amount of solid waste generated also increased. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Management)

Based on literature review, statistics of waste management at ports in South Africa is hard to come by. The research critically assessed the current waste management practices at Transnet National Ports Authority. Transnet National Ports Authority, Port of Richards Bay (TNPA RCB) was used as a case study to examine the different types and quantities of waste produced, analysing the current waste management model as well as determining TNPA RCB compliance to pertinent waste legislation. A 10 day waste audit was conducted to obtain quantitative data and to identify the different types of waste generated. The baseline data resulting from the waste audit conducted for the first time since the establishment of the TNPA RCB, found 402 kg of general waste generated, 74 kg of this total is segregated for recycling and the remaining 328 kg is landfilled. The overall conclusion gained during compliance audit was that the TNPA RCB was partly compliant with pertinent waste legislation and obligations. Furthermore, questionnaires about waste were sent to staff members working in offices to get an overview of how they deal with current waste management. A number of barriers to sustainable waste management were identified, including: lack of knowledge and awareness; constraints on facilities and human resources; culture that resists change and contamination. To overcome these, there needs to be education, as well as co-operation between top management, staff and waste service providers to help implement new strategies. The primary conclusions from this dissertation are that there are opportunities to divert waste streams from landfill and to attain a sustainable waste management system at TNPA RCB. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Management)

MESHWR / Department of Hydrology and Water Resources / This research involves the investigation of the interaction of different sized Nano Gold particles released into municipal drinking water and municipal waste water. Waste water was collected from Malamulele waste water treatment plant and the municipal water was collected at Mintek in Johannesburg, Randburg, South Africa. The waste water was analysed using ICP-MS to detect the metals and anions in it. The results showed the abundance of Sulphur (464 ppm), Calcium (28 ppm), Chloride (27.8 ppm), Iron (20 ppm), Magnesium (8.2 ppm), silicon (6.192 ppm) in descending order and other trace elements, including gold, that were immeasurable (<0.1). The simulated situation was created by adding 20nm gold and 40nm gold nanoparticles into municipal drinking water and waste water and kept at different environmental conditions (light, light and agitation, dark, dark and agitation) under aerobic and anaerobic conditions over a period of two months. Physico-chemical properties (pH and chemical oxygen demand) of the solutions were checked once in a month. The pH fluctuated between the acceptable ranges (5.5 – 9.5) for the two month period. Both municipal water and waste water, with and without gold nanoparticles, under aerobic condition showed an increase in chemical oxygen demand. The gold content in waste water under anaerobic condition showed an increase while under aerobic condition the decline in gold content was evident. The zeta potential of gold nanoparticles in waste water in light and agitation showed (-30 mV) while waste water on other environmental condition (light, dark and dark with agitation) presenting unstable (-18 mV) charge, but the charge shifted positively on the second month rendering them also unstable. Dynamic light scattering and TEM were used to check any possible aggregation or agglomeration of nanoparticles in the waste water. There were some few discrepancies where TEM and DLS contradict, but overall there was no significant probability of any aggregation of gold nanoparticles. The EDX was used to confirm the presence of Au0 in the waste water (with added gold nanoparticles). The research did show that the gold nanoparticles would exist as Au0 in the waste water and thus the discharge of Au-NPs to the sewer system is not recommended, but rather recycle them.

MPH / Department of Public Health / See the attached abstract below

MENVSC / Department of Ecology and Resource Management / The purpose of this study was to evaluate the strategic management of the Thohoyandou Block J landfill site. There are limited documented materials on strategic management of landfill sites in South Africa. As a result, this study sought to close this gap and expose new insights that it deemed to be of great importance in the management and operations of landfill sites. The capacity of a TBJ landfill site in terms of its efficiency in disposing waste, adherence to rules and procedures and the overall management of the site are the key areas of this study. The dominant types and sources of solid waste disposed at the TBJ landfill site, efficiency and effectiveness of operation of TBJ landfill site and operational challenges are the main areas covered in this study. The study adopted the mixed methods approach, involving both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Both primary and secondary data were acquired. Primary data were obtained through a questionnaire, an interview and field observation, using an observation checklist. Secondary data were obtained from ArcGIS Desktop Help 9.2 and documented materials from the Thulamela Local Municipality and the TBJ landfill site, the Integrated Waste Management Plan, Integrated Development Plan, TBJ landfill site’s monthly report, audit report and landfill site’s operating plan. Basically, field observation and a questionnaire completed by the waste manager, landfill operator and supervisor, were used to collect data on the operational challenges of TBJ landfill site and to obtain data on the efficiency and effectiveness at which the TBJ landfill site is operating. Waste pickers were interviewed and field observation was undertaken, to identify the dominant types and sources of waste disposed at the TBJ landfill site. A questionnaire completed by TBJ landfill operator, ArcGIS Desktop Help 9.2 for field measurement, reports of the amount of waste recorded and the municipality’s database, were utilized to elicit data regarding the determination of the capacity of TBJ landfill site. The results obtained revealed that the TBJ landfill site’s remaining capacity is 317 085 m3, which will be exhausted in the next 4 years. Plastics were found to be the dominant waste disposed at the TBJ landfill site, at 40%, followed by card-boxes, which constituted 32%. The dominant sources of solid waste generation in the TBJ landfill site were households, at 51%, followed by commercial, at 31% and industrial, at 11%. The absence of a weighbridge, to weigh loads of waste, frequent break down of equipment, lack of equipment required to operate the TBJ landfill site efficiently and the presence of fire hazards, were some of the / NRF

MPH / Department of Public Health / Health and safety issues pertaining to workers are global concerns and a major priority to the employers and government respectively. Employees in general across industries are faced with various health and safety risks. Epidemiological research has shown consistently that waste handlers are mostly exposed to various risks and hazards during their work as compared to other professions globally. This study focused on waste handlers employed by the Thulamela Municipality in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study employed qualitative explorative design and targeted all municipal waste handlers. Municipal waste handlers were sampled using non probability purposive sampling. In-depth interviews, using an interview guide, were conducted by the researcher and a voice recorder was used to record data from the participants after obtaining permission from them. The sample size comprised of 18 participants and was determined by data saturation. A thematically analysis technique was used to analyse data. Data from the participants were clustered into main theme, categories and sub-categories. The following themes emerged from data analysis: physical hazards, psychological hazard, biological hazards and chemical hazard. The study revealed that the municipal waste handlers are exposed to various occupational risks and are experiencing shortage of personal protective equipment, ranging from hand gloves, safety helmets, rain coats, overall uniforms, safety jackets and boots, to keep themselves safe from health problems and occupational injury when collecting waste. It is recommended that the Thulamela municipality should prioritise the working conditions for municipal waste handlers, by distributing suitable personal protective equipment such as hands gloves, safety helmet, rain coats, safety jackets and boots) and overalls / NRF

MENVSC / Department of Ecology and Resource Management / The main objective of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of municipal solid waste management system, its potential implication in Vhembe District Municipality, South Africa and to recommend strategies for effective management of municipal solid waste in the district. To achieve this, structured questionnaires, interviews, field observations and focus group discussions were used to collect primary data within the district. The study focused on the four local municipalities: Makhado, Thulamela, Musina and Collins Chabane. Desktop study was also undertaken to gather secondary data by reviewing journals, technical reports, books and articles. The study adopted a mixed method approach comprising of triangulation of qualitative and quantitative design. The target groups of the study were selected through purposive sampling. The respondents in the study were 21 officials from local municipalities including directors, waste managers, superintendents, landfill supervisor and interns. Data was collected using focus group interviews and questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics which involve the presentation of numerical facts, or data, in either tables or graphs form. Municipalities in the district are producing a considerable amount of solid waste. Municipalities do not adhere to the existing guidelines on waste minimization at source, for example; they do not have zero waste strategy (3R) reduce, reuse and recycle, which is the highest priority of the National Waste Management Policy. Lack of the application of existing waste management policy leads to large amount of solid waste eventually ending up in landfill sites. The study recommends to municipalities to develop operational and monitoring waste management plans which will create continuous improvement on waste management. In the district, it was observed that the bulk of waste generated per month within municipalities is general waste comprising 64%, as compared to garden waste and building rubbles. There are no equipment and programs in place by municipalities to encourage waste separation at source, for example, municipalities do not have household‟s recyclable receptacles to encourage separation at source. Municipalities do not have weighbridge to quantify waste entering the site. It was observed that Thulamela and Collins Chabane Local municipalities create compost from garden waste received at the landfill sites, whereas Musina and Makhado Local Municipalities do not create compost from garden waste. Garden waste is dumped and compacted with other waste materials in the landfills. All municipalities should create compost from garden waste received at the landfill sites as it helps to extend the life span of the landfills because it v reduces the amount of waste to the landfill. There is lack of prioritization within municipalities, for example, in Makhado Local Municipality, when the new financial start, budget is allocated to other proposed projects by councilors as they consider waste management projects not a priority. It was observed that within the district, there is high level of illegal dumping in catchment areas and open spaces especially at Musina Local Municipality. Musina Local Municipality is using a quarry as disposal site which was not lined and it has led to contamination of underground water by leachate, whereas Thulamela, Collins Chabane and Makhado Local Municipalities are using lined landfill sites to avoid contamination of underground water. The available vehicles within the municipalities are not enough to meet the demand and some of them are too old, for example, tractors and trucks used by Makhado Local Municipality are 20 years old and they often breakdown, whereas Thulamela, Collins Chabane and Musina Local Municipalities are not using old vehicles as they auctioned old vehicles and bought new ones. Vhembe District Municipality should manage waste in accordance to the new approach of source separation, waste reduction, reuse and recycling by developing environmental awareness programmes supported by the placement of the recyclable receptacles at strategic points to collect recyclable materials which will reduce large amount of waste which eventually ends up in landfills. The study recommends that municipalities should have law enforcement structure which will create and enforce the laws/policies as it helps municipalities to implement effective waste management system and monitoring structure to monitor prioritization and budget allocation to avoid any wastage. Municipalities should have landfill monitoring committees to facilitate the compliance on the development and operation of the landfills to avoid the use of quarry as landfill sites. / NRF

The City of Tshwane is the capital city of South Africa and the administrative seat of government. The status of the city as a capital creates high expectations on the level of basic service delivery on municipal services like waste management, water, electricity and health. The city is currently facing challenges in relation to the delivery and implementation of waste management services. In an attempt to find solutions to the waste management challenges of the city a study on the implementation of waste management services is undertaken by the researcher. The study identifies and then analyses the underlying reasons for the challenges faced by the City of Tshwane in the implementation of waste management services. This aim of this study was to investigate and to analyse the implementation of waste management services in the City of Tshwane’s historically disadvantaged areas with particular focus on Region 01, 02, 05 and 07. In order to investigate these factors, a descriptive research design and qualitative methodology was used which related to convenient and purposive sampling of officials and data collected from fifteen (15) respondents using semi structured interviews and observations. The study also utilised document analysis to interpret the challenges and solutions related to the research topic. It emerged from the study that a lack of capacity and resources to perform efficient waste management services underpinned many of the challenges experience by the city. The failure of the city to ensure community participation and involvement is another reason for the challenges the city faces in waste management. Furthermore, the lack of policy implementation and enforcement is an element that the city needs to deeply consider. When policy is crafted with input of residents and when there is a social contract as to the roles and responsibilities of each party, it becomes easier to enforce. Some of the challenges that the city faces with regards to waste management can also be attributed to political interference and institutional deficiencies. Beyond issues like capacity, institutions and others, the city will continue to face challenges if it does not seriously invest in innovation and new technologies that address its generic and specific conditions in relation to the management of waste. The marginalisation and selective enforcement of by-laws on the informal recyclers and reclaimers are some of the findings of the study that demonstrate the inability of the city to find specific solutions to specifics regions on waste management .These challenges resulted in the peri urban regions like region 01, 02, 05 and 07 not receiving quality and consistent waste management services. The study recommends some interventions to address the waste management problems identified in the highlighted regions and entire City of Tshwane. Some of the recommended interventions include, assessing the unique characteristics of the communities and regions with a view of identifying waste management solutions that will be relevant for the circumstances and profile of such regions, ensure that proper and adequate resources, infrastructure and capacity is deployed to such areas to improve the waste services in those areas. Furthermore aggressive education and awareness campaigns conducted in partnership with communities will be critical to change people’s attitude towards waste management and a clean environment. This can be achieved through a consultative process led by the City of Tshwane in partnership with its communities and enforced through a progressive and incentive driven by-law system. / Public Administration and Management / M.P.A. (Master of Public Administration)