In most developing countries, the problem of inefficient municipal solid waste management (MSWM) is endemic. The problem is manifested by heaps of uncollected solid waste found on open areas and by the street sides. This dissertation examines the relationship between land pollution and population density resulting from solid waste generation in the City of Kwekwe in Zimbabwe. Questionnaires and interviews were conducted to 375 randomly selected households in low, medium and high density residential suburbs. The household survey was triangulated with field observations, key informant interviews and secondary data sources. The average household size in high, medium and low density residential areas was 11, 8 and 5 people respectively. The study revealed that the amount and composition of solid waste generated varied according to household size, income and education levels of residents. The higher the population density, the more the solid waste produced. However, waste generated was not carried to the dumpsites for disposal. Also the higher the income, the higher the amount of solid waste produced, although residents with high income were able to ferry their wastes to the dumpsites hence less land pollution. The solid waste generation rate in high density areas was 0.04 kg/capita day, in medium density areas was 0.35 kg/capita/day and in low density areas were 0.84 kg/capita/day. It was also observed that among high income earners, the educated people produced more waste than low income earners. However, the low income earners and the less educated people could not take care of their environment to limit roadside and open space littering. However, lack of public awareness coupled with inefficient and ad hoc waste management system continue make provision of effective solid waste management services illusive. Based on the research findings, it is suggested sound environmental stewardship amongst residents will limit land pollution in the city of Kwekwe. / Environmental Sciences / M.A. (Environmental Management)

published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

In most developing countries, the problem of inefficient municipal solid waste management (MSWM) is endemic. The problem is manifested by heaps of uncollected solid waste found on open areas and by the street sides. This dissertation examines the relationship between land pollution and population density resulting from solid waste generation in the City of Kwekwe in Zimbabwe. Questionnaires and interviews were conducted to 375 randomly selected households in low, medium and high density residential suburbs. The household survey was triangulated with field observations, key informant interviews and secondary data sources. The average household size in high, medium and low density residential areas was 11, 8 and 5 people respectively. The study revealed that the amount and composition of solid waste generated varied according to household size, income and education levels of residents. The higher the population density, the more the solid waste produced. However, waste generated was not carried to the dumpsites for disposal. Also the higher the income, the higher the amount of solid waste produced, although residents with high income were able to ferry their wastes to the dumpsites hence less land pollution. The solid waste generation rate in high density areas was 0.04 kg/capita day, in medium density areas was 0.35 kg/capita/day and in low density areas were 0.84 kg/capita/day. It was also observed that among high income earners, the educated people produced more waste than low income earners. However, the low income earners and the less educated people could not take care of their environment to limit roadside and open space littering. However, lack of public awareness coupled with inefficient and ad hoc waste management system continue make provision of effective solid waste management services illusive. Based on the research findings, it is suggested sound environmental stewardship amongst residents will limit land pollution in the city of Kwekwe. / Environmental Sciences / M.A. (Environmental Management)

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

The study aimed at investigating the factors that affect the efficient management of wastes produced by food outlets in Pretoria, South Africa. This was with a view of providing empirical data and information with respect to the causative factors responsible for the visible environmental pollution by wastes and materials from food outlets. Data was gathered from a representative sample of 332 food outlets on socio-economic, demographic, environmental, sanitary and health related variables that are related to waste management and efficiency in the disposal of solid and liquid wastes. Data entry and analysis was performed using statistical procedures such as frequency tables, Pearson’s chi-square tests of association and binary logistic regression analysis in the statistical package STATA version 10. Odds ratios estimated from logistic regression analysis were used for identifying key factors that affect efficiency in the proper disposal of waste. Results obtained showed that 18 % of the 332 food outlets in the study were generally inefficient in waste disposal. Based on odds ratios estimated from binary logistic regression analysis, wrong perception (a factor of 10.88), failure to provide trash cans to customers (a factor of 3.15), the operation of food outlets by non-owners or managers (a factor of 2.33), and failure to practice source reduction of waste (a factor of 2.25) are the top 4 influential factors that affect the proper management of waste at the 332 food outlets in the study. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Management)

The management of clinical waste is of great importance due to its infectious and hazardous nature that can cause risks on environment and public health. The study was conducted to evaluate clinical waste management practices and to determine the amount of waste generated in five purposively selected healthcare facilities in Gaborone City Council. The surveyed healthcare facilities were of different size, specialization and category and included a referral hospital, two clinics and two health posts. To examine clinical waste management practices the study employed a range of methods including questionnaire survey which targeted 105 stratified randomly selected healthcare workers and ancillary staff, formal interviews with facility managers, field observations and literature reviews. Compliance with the Botswana Clinical Waste Management Code of Practice, 1996 and Waste Management Act, 1998 and other related documents were used as standards to assess clinical waste management practices. The waste management practices were analysed for a week in each healthcare facility to capture the daily management practices. The generated clinical waste was weighed to compute the generation rates and was followed through the various management practices to the final disposal. Findings of the study revealed that clinical waste generation rates were: 0.75kg/patient/day for Princess Marina Hospital and 0.1 - 0.3kg/patient/day for clinics and health posts. Numerous aspects of clinical waste management were found to comply with the expected rules and standards at Princess Marina Hospital, but the clinics and health posts had less appropriate practices. Clinical waste generated at Princess Marina Hospital is quantified in reliable records and dedicated Infectious Control Officers are responsible for monitoring the management of clinical waste. The study revealed that clinics and health posts do not quantify clinical waste and there are no officers responsible for monitoring clinical waste and there are no documents for monitoring the management of clinical waste. The main treatment method of clinical waste for the surveyed healthcare facilities is incineration and it is being done properly. The study established that at least 80% of healthcare workers and ancillary staff have been vaccinated against hepatitis B and have received training in clinical waste management. Recommendations are given with the aim of improving clinical waste management practices in Gaborone City Council healthcare facilities. / Environmental Management / M. Sc. (Environmental Management)

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Mounting pressure on waste management has forced the City of Cape Town (CCT) to progressively move towards achieving an integrated waste management system (IWMS). This system presents a holistic approach of dealing with waste issues. The waste management hierarchy indicates that the ‘cradle-to-cradle’ approach of waste management is more ideal as compared to the traditional ‘cradle-to-grave’ approaches of waste management, example landfilling. However the challenges that have transpired in the rollout of waste minimisation initiatives highlight the need to continuously improve the system. This thesis investigates the municipal solid waste (MSW) minimisation programmes initiated by the CCT Solid Waste Management Department. A systems approach that combined both quantitative and qualitative methodologies was employed in the analysis. A material flow analysis (MFA) model was used to trace the flow of waste through the waste management system. The benefit of applying the MFA approach for waste management problems has been highlighted in literature in terms of identifying potential recycling, and other, waste-treatment technologies, and predicting the outcomes of waste treatment and disposal initiatives. The main objective of this study was to apply an adapted MFA method in order to determine the progress of the existing waste minimisation programmes and to also determine the opportunities to utilise biodegradable and other recyclable components of the waste streams; thereby improving the IWMS of the CCT. The MFA provided a conceptual understanding of the flow of waste materials in the CCT. The mass assessment of waste minimisation facilities, such as the Bellville compost plant and Athlone material recovery facility and refuse transfer station, unveiled that there is still a large amount of biodegradable and recyclable municipal solid waste that ends up in landfills regardless of the waste minimisation facilities available. However, it is still immature at this stage to conclude the success of the Think Twice campaign, since this is a fairly new initiative that relies on the response rate of the public. There are challenges associated with the recyclable waste recovery rates such as public awareness, proper advertising, operational problems that still need to be addressed. The MFA results also showed the final sinks of the different waste types that are sent through the different waste minimisation facilities run by the CCT. The current institutional arrangements and legislative environment have been greatly improved but there are still a number of challenges that need to be addressed. The largest, overall challenge is devising a practical plan of ‘closing the loop’ in order to develop a circular economy. The concept of ‘cradle-to-cradle’ seems to be premised on extended producer responsibility and other stringent control mechanisms, which are currently believed, will yield negative consequences in the South African context. A lot more work needs to be done to achieve a genuinely integrated and sustainable solid waste management system. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Stad Kaapstad streef na ‘n geïntegreerde afval beheer sisteem (GABS) as gevolg van toenemende druk op die bestuur van afval. Hierdie stelsel bied 'n holistiese benadering tot die hantering van afval-probleme. Die afvalbestuur-klassifikasie wys dat die “wieg-tot-wieg” benadering meer ideaal is as die tradisionele “wieg-tot-graf” benaderings van afvalbestuur, byvoorbeeld die bestaande sorteringsterreine. Die uitdagings wat voor-gekom het in die bekendstelling van afvalbeperkingsinisiatiewe het getoon dat daar ‘n voortdurende behoefte is om die stelsel te verbeter. Hierdie tesis ondersoek die munisipale vaste-afvalbeperkingsprogamme wat deur die Stad Kaapstad se Departement Vaste-Afvalbestuur geïnisieer is. Beide kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe metodes is gebruik om die analises uit te voer. ‘n Materiaal vloei-analise model (MVM) is gebruik om die vloei van afval deur die afvalbestuur-sisteem te volg. Die voordeel van die toepassing van die MVM-model word uitgelig in die literatuur in terme van identifisering van potensiële herwinning en ander afvalbehandelings-metodes en die voorspelling van die uitkomste van afval-behandeling en wegdoen-inisiatiewe. Die hoofdoel van die studie was om ‘n aangepaste MVM-metode toe te pas om die vordering van die bestaande afvalbeperkings programme vas te stel asook om die gebruik van bioafbreekbare en ander herwinbare komponente van die afvalstrome beter te kan benut en daardeur ‘n verbetering van die GABS van die Stad Kaapstad teweeg te bring. Die MVM het goeie insig gebied in die vloei van afvalmateriaal in die Stad Kaapstad. Die massa-waardebepaling van afvalverminderings-fasiliteite, soos die Belville kompos-aanleg en die Athlone materiaalherwinningsfasiliteit asook die afval-oordragstasie, het onthul dat daar nog groot hoeveelhede biodegradeerbare munisipale vaste-afval in die stortingsterreine beland ten spyte van die afvalbeperkings-fasiliteite wat beskikbaar is. Dit is egter nog te vroeg om ‘n gevolgtrekking oor die sukses van die “Think Twice” veldtog te maak aangesien dit 'n redelike nuwe inisiatief is wat op die terugvoer van die publiek staatmaak. Daar is uitdagings wat verband hou met die herwinbare afvalhersteltempo’s soos byvoorbeeld: openbare bewustheid, goeie advertering asook operasionele probleme wat nog aangespreek moet word. Die MVM resultate het ook ‘n daling in die verskillende afval-tipes wat deur die verskillende afvalbeperkingsfasiliteite van die Stad Kaapstad gestuur word, getoon. Die huidige institusionele reëlings en wetgewende omgewing het baie verbeter, maar daar is nog 'n aantal skuiwergate wat aangespreek moet word. Die grootste algehele uitdaging tans is die ontwerp van ‘n praktiese plan om die skuiwergate te oorkom en om ‘n kringloop in die ekonomie te ontwikkel. Die "wieg-totwieg" benadering berus op uitgebreide produsente verantwoordelikheid en ander streng beheermaatreëls wat waarskynlik negatiewe gevolge in die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks gaan oplewer. Daar is egter nog baie werk wat gedoen moet word om ‘n geïntegreerde en volhoubare stelsel vir die bestuur van vaste-afval daar te stel.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this research report is to investigate sustainable alternative solid waste management methods for the Drakenstein Municipal Area in particular and South African municipalities in general. The point of departure is that landfilling alone is not sustainable and that alternative and/or complementary methods are required. Current solid waste management policies and practices in various countries all over the world are investigated in order to understand the global context of municipal solid waste management. The development of solid waste management in both developed and developing countries is considered in order to appreciate the different approaches and legal frameworks underpinning each approach. Several solid waste treatment methods, both established and advanced, are considered before the development of solid waste management in South Africa since 1992 is reviewed. An important aspect of evaluating alternatives is the identification of relevant stakeholders, key drivers for success and the constraints. An important conclusion reached in the research is that the lack of funding and the inherent inability of most municipalities in South Africa to render even basic municipal services currently make the introduction of advanced solid waste treatment methods non-sustainable. It is therefore suggested that the newly developed legal framework underpinning solid waste management in South Africa, be implemented in such a manner that all stakeholders are involved in the implementation of the basic principles of the waste hierarchy. The author believes that the introduction of technologically advanced waste treatment and disposal options will be premature if the basics of the waste hierarchy are not practiced by all. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die fokus van hierdie navorsingsverslag is ‘n ondersoek na volhoubare, alternatiewe vaste afvalbestuursmetodes vir Suid-Afrikaanse munisipaliteite in die breë en die Drakenstein Munisipaliteit in die besonder. Die basiese uitganspunt is dat vaste afvalstorting alleen nie volhoubaar is nie en dat alternatiewe/komplementêre metodes nodig word. Die vaste afvalbestuursbeleid en –praktyke wat tans wêreldwyd gevolg word, word ondersoek met die doel om die globale konteks daarvan beter te verstaan. Die ontwikkeling van vaste afvalbestuur in beide ontwikkelde en ontwikkelende lande word nagevors sodat die verskillende benaderings en wetlike raamwerke wat dit onderskryf, bestudeer kan word. Verskeie vaste afvalbestuursmetodes – beide gevestig en gevorderd – word bespreek waarna die ontwikkeling van vaste afvalbestuur in Suid-Afrika sedert 1992 onder die loep kom. ‘n Belangrike aspek van toepassing op die evaluering van alternatiewe, is die identfikasie van alle rolspelers, kritiese suksesfaktore en beperkinge. ‘n Belangrike bevinding wat gemaak word, is dat die gebrek aan voldoende fondse sowel as die inherente onvermoë van meeste Suid-Afrikaanse munisipaliteite om selfs basiese munisipale dienste te kan lewer, die implementering van gevorderde vaste afvalbestuursmetodes tans onvolhoubaar maak. In die verslag word dus aanbeveel dat die nuut-ontwikkelde wetlike raamwerk wat vaste afvalbestuur in Suid-Afrika reguleer, so geïmplementeer moet word dat alle rolspelers betrek word om die afval-hiërargie se basiese beginsels prakties toe te pas. Die outeur is van mening dat die implementering van nuwe, tegnologiesgevorderde vaste afvalbsetuursmetodes sal faal indien dit geïmplementeer sou word voordat die afval hiërargie voldoende toegepas word.

Theses (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) capitalise on the distinctive advantage of the private sector’s capacity and experience in providing public infrastructure and services. This collaborative arrangement pools the resources and strengths of each partner in order to attain the anticipated project objectives. Municipalities are faced with a number of challenges; among them the consistent increase in urban population growth and resource constraints. This then inhibits infrastructure provision and puts pressure on the public institution to deliver basic services such as water and sanitation, and solid waste disposal. In light of this, private sector participation can enhance urban development through capacity building and delivery of the necessary infrastructure and services. This study examined the performance of an operation and maintenance PPP project in the area of solid waste management in the Municipality of Windhoek. More specifically, it assessed the extent to which this particular project has contributed to infrastructure development and service delivery at the municipal level, the factors that contributed to the success of the PPP arrangement, the lessons that can be learnt from, and the challenges associated with such an undertaking. By applying a case study methodology and utilising typical performance indicators of a PPP, the author attempted to determine the effectiveness of this PPP project. The study revealed that engaging a competent private sector partner can be an effective way of delivering critical services needed for attaining the desired goal. On the other hand, the study found that a lack of explicit quantitative targets and/or deliverables incorporated in the contract agreement makes it difficult to assess and measure the performance of the project. Furthermore, the study discovered the importance of clearly identifying, prioritising and apportioning all risks associated with the project at the time of contract formulation to avoid any undesirable consequences such as non-compliance, which can lead to penalties for the contracted partner. The study observed that the factors contributing to the success of the project were the keen interest of both partners in the long-term sustainability of the project, the presence of an experienced contractor, and having clear monitoring mechanisms in place.

The Second-Hand Society tells the stories of people in Portland, Oregon who redefine waste by making use of objects others discard. The author spends time in repair shops watching craftsmen hammer and polish broken typewriters, vacuum cleaners and shoes back to life. She follows book scouts, clothes pickers and liquidators as they gather merchandise to resell and spends hours at nonprofits that collect and redistribute unwanted electronics and building supplies. She watches junk artists and fashion designers assemble found objects into display pieces, accompanies Dumpster divers and "freegans" along their regular collection routes and visits the homeless encampment by the airport to see how an entire community of people survives on nothing but reclaimed materials. The members of the second-hand society challenge the traditional conception of things as "broken" or "unwanted" and assert that forward movement and new-new-new is not always optimal. By examining the motivations and practices of the people who make use of our discards and looking at the contradictions they run up against, this thesis develops a more complete understanding of the reality that's possible if we think differently about our waste.