abstract: During the months from June to November 2012, the city of Bangalore was faced with a serious solid waste management (SWM) crisis. In the wake of the upheaval, the state court declared source segregation to be mandatory. Yet, while the legislation was clear, the pathway towards a course of action for the transition was not clear and hence, Bangalore was stuck in a state of limbo. The objectives for this thesis spiraled organically from this crisis. The first objective was to examine the gaps in Bangalore's transition to a more sustainable SWM system. Six particular gaps were identified, which in essence, were opportunities to re-shape the system. The gaps identified included: conflicting political agendas, the exclusion of some key actors, and lack of adequate attention to cultural aspects, provision of appropriate incentives, protection of livelihoods and promotion of innovation. Opportunities were found in better incentivization of sustainable SWM goals, protecting livelihoods that depend on waste, enhancing innovation and endorsing local, context based SWM solutions. Building on this understanding of gaps, the second objective was to explore an innovative, local, bottom-up waste-management model called the Vellore Zero Waste Model, and assess its applicability to Bangalore. The adaptability of the model depended on several factors such as, willingness of actors to redefine their roles and change functions, ability of the municipality to assure quality and oversight, willingness of citizen to source segregate, and most importantly, the political will and collective action needed to ensure and sustain the transition. The role of communication as a vital component to facilitate productive stakeholder engagement and to promote role change was evident. Therefore, the third objective of the study was to explore how interpersonal competencies and communication strategies could be used as a tool to facilitate stakeholder engagement and encourage collective action. In addressing these objectives, India was compared with Austria because Austria is often cited as having some of the best SWM practices in the world and has high recycling rates to show for its reputation. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Sustainability 2013

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.