Please read the abstract in the front part of this document / Thesis (PhD (Chemistry))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Chemistry / unrestricted

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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

Zugl.: Regensburg, Universiẗat, Diss., 2007.

M. Tech. Construction Management / This dissertation is primarily concerned with the investigation of waste generation rates, the causes of waste and waste management strategies adopted in the construction industry in Tshwane, South Africa.

M.Sc. (Environmental Management) / The University of Johannesburg (UJ) generates vast quantities of solid waste daily. One of the four campuses, Doornfontein campus, was chosen as study area, to calculate the amounts of waste generated and investigate changes in volume from 2009 to 2013. Waste collected from the campus was separated into recyclables and non-recyclables. The recyclable waste was then further divided into different categories, with each weighed separately. The discourse provides an overview of solid waste and the management thereof, in conjunction with a review of changes and updates to past and current legislation pertaining to waste management in South Africa. Furthermore, the study provides an assessment of waste management and recycling practices at international and national academic institutions and examines the UJ waste policy and policy implementation. Finally, the study provides recommendations for improving the management of waste at UJ.

This study reviews some of the trends in the theory and practice of public participation processes as an element of policy development. It attempts to locate public participation within a theoretical framework for policy development based on the work of Kingdon (Agendas, Alternatives and Public Policies, 2nd ed. 1995) on policy streams, and that of Roe (Narrative Policy Analysis. 1994) on the use of discourse analysis. It uses the KwaZulu-Natal Waste Management Policy process as a case study and shows that it is possible to combine these two theories to come to a better understanding of the way in which policy is arrived at. The policy streams proposed by Kingdon are identified in the case study and the 'crisis', which moved the issue of waste management onto the decision agenda, is described. Two dominant narratives that emerge from a series of interviews are discerned, together with two counter narratives. By comparing and contrasting these a metanarrative is developed that meets Roe's criteria for telling a better story and so becomes the basis for the final policy. Public participation is shown as being a useful way of ensuring that alternative 'stories' are included in the shaping of policy and so allowing a metanarrative to emerge. Some conclusions about the implications of the analysis for future processes are drawn. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2002.

The study investigated the involvement of primary and secondary schools in waste management through recycling and composting, and the perceptions of teachers and pupils with regard to waste management. It also investigated the local municipality's attitude towards using schools to inculcate the culture of own waste management. It further investigated some of KwaZulu Natal's recycling industries/agents' attitudes toward using schools as "mini" depots for collection of recyclable materials. It was found that according to teachers perceptions most of the primary schools are engaged in waste management practices through recycling and composting, while secondary schools are less involved in waste management practices through recycling and composting. The results revealed that 53% of primary schools are involved in recycling projects, while only 10% of secondary schools are involved. It was also found that both primary and secondary school teachers are willing for their schools to be involved in waste management practices. Primary school pupils are more enthusiastic in collection of recyclable materials and composting projects as means of waste management as compared to secondary school pupils who are less interested. The results further revealed that there are no educational programmes that are initiated by the Pietermaritzburg-Msunduzi Municipality to inculcate the culture of waste management among the school pupils. There are a few industries that collect recyclable materials from schools in Greater Edendale by putting paper banks in some of the schools. It was also found that the Keep Pietermaritzburg Clean Association has an educational programme for waste management with some of the schools in Greater Edendale. This programme is called Environmental Award System for Youth (EASY), whereby schools receive awards for activities that they are involved in to manage waste. It is recommended that organisations such as the Greater Edendale Environmental Network be encouraged to establish educational programmes to help motivate and make pupils aware of the value of waste management. Recycling industries should also target primary and secondary schools for collection of recyclable materials, rather than only focusing on tertiary institutions. If this is done children will gradually become aware of the concept and value of recycling. Through the involvement of schools in waste management the public can be educated more to the role of responsible waste disposal and management. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1999.

Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife (KZN Wildlife) needed to develop a solid waste management policy and strategy for their protected areas, as well as specific solid waste management plans for existing and new developments within these areas. These had to be in keeping with the principles of sustainable development, protected area conservation objectives, best practice and legislative requirements. A pilot study was thus undertaken at two large KwaZulu-Natal protected area visitor facilities, Hilltop Rest Camp in Hluhluwe Game Reserve and Sodwana Bay Rest Camp, to investigate the types and amounts of solid waste generated . In addition, the solid waste disposal methods employed in 1984 and 2000, the disposal options available and the constraints and impacts of solid waste disposal throughout the protected area system were investigated. A comparison was made with solid waste production and management at Skukuza Rest Camp in the Kruger National Park as well as with various international waste sources. The information was presented in the form of histograms for comparison and tree cluster analysis was used as a heuristic tool to discuss the results. Hilltop and Sodwana Bay Rest Camps produced similar waste although its composition varied according to the specific source of production within the visitor facility . The waste produced at KZN Wildlife protected area visitor facilities had a similar composition to that produced at Skukuza Rest Camp. Audits of waste management practices at Hilltop, Sodwana Bay and Skukuza indicated that KZN Wildlife was not adequately managing the solid waste at their two protected area visitorfacilities. However, solid waste was being responsibly disposed of at Skukuza Rest Camp. The type of waste produced at protected area visitor facilities in a number of other African countries and Australia, was similar in composition to that produced in South African protected areas; all were similar to that produced in developed, westernised countries. A survey in 1984 of waste disposal methods in 32 KZN Wildlife protected areas, indicated that disposal to municipal landfill was only practised by protected areas less than 5 000 ha in size and less than 30 km from a municipallandfill. The current (2000) survey showed that disposal directly to landfill without reduction within protected areas had been discontinued, and that there was an increased proportion of waste disposal to municipal landfill. Such disposal was primarily limited to areas of less than 10000 ha and less than 40 km from such a landfill. The main constraints on the choice of waste disposal method were the cost of transport and limited budgets. A draft solid waste management policy and strategy were developed. The policy set out the legal requirements , ecological objectives and constraints of solid waste disposal in protected areas and also the preferred disposal options. The strategy set out the waste disposal methods available and their associated risks, likely impacts, opportunities and implications for management. The use of a simple matrix, that combined transport costs (represented by distance to a municipal landfill site); the size of the protected area (assumed to reflect the amount of solid waste generated); and the environmental risk of leachate production (as indicated by the climatic water balance), with suitable waste disposal options, was recommended. This matrix was designed to assist in the objective implementation of the draft waste management policy and in selection of an appropriate waste disposal method for each protected area. The draft policy and strategy were applied to produce a solid waste management plan for a new development in Umfolozi Game Reserve. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.

Poverty in its many guises - poor housing, no employment, indifferent health and hunger is a driving force for scavenging. In most developing countries, the informal recovery of material from waste is a common survival strategy for the poor. In fact, up to 2% of populations in developing countries depend on recovering, re-using and selling waste materials from streets, dumpsite or landfills for their livelihood. The aim of this study was to develop an understanding of the socio-economic conditions affecting the scavengers and scavenging activities at the Hulene dumpsite in Maputo. This study set out to develop a conceptual framework depicting scavenging, its problems and opportunities. This was used to structure the research. The main issues addressed were: • The driving forces of scavenging where poverty is the major factor. • The organization of scavengers and scavenging activities showing that there is no formal organization of scavengers, which leads to exploitation of vulnerable groups. • The reaction from the national and local authorities, with the prevalence of a repressive policy and absence of support. • The gender dimension on scavenging activities; and • The perception of health risks. The findings are that scavenging constitutes a means of livelihood for poor people. These activities respond to the market demand and not to environmental considerations. However, in performing scavenging activities which results in informal recycling and resources recovery, people generate environmental benefits, economic benefits and social benefits. Other findings are that the informal organization of scavengers increases the exploitation and the health risk of scavengers. Thus, organization is a key to the success of scavengers and indirectly to the municipal economy. It is concluded that the framework set out in this thesis is useful in the sense that it illustrates the factors which influence scavenging activities. This framework can be used for further research in similar situations. It is also concluded that prohibition of scavenging activities would have undesirable consequences for the economy of Maputo in particular and of Mozambique in general. Thus, since this activity brings benefits to scavengers and to society, the government should support and stimulate this activity and not persecute those who provide this service. Consequently, as a recommendation, government, local communities and NGOs are called upon to support scavengers. The formation of scavenger co-operatives can promote sustainable grassroots development in this sector of the population. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-Unversity of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.