Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Johannesburg generates in excess of 1 500 000 tonnes of general waste annually and has on average 10 years’ lifespan remaining on its four landfill sites. As a signatory to the Polokwane Declaration, the City of Johannesburg has recognised the need for new interventions to divert waste from landfills by various methods, such as separation at source; alternative treatment methods and the conversion of waste to energy. Progress has, however, been slow and this research aims to investigate alternative waste management techniques that can be applied in the City of Johannesburg to fast track the realisation of these targets. Using scenario planning techniques, the research considers implications for policy and management decisions in realising the best possible future in the area of waste management in Johannesburg. The scenario process was used to develop the following scenarios for waste management in Johannesburg: Long walk to freedom. Waste collection coverage includes pockets of the community where waste collections services are less than optimal. The residents of the city, particularly in these underserviced areas, are also not very knowledgeable of the impact that the waste generated within their communities can have on the environment and what alternatives there are to manage this. Pick it up. The City provides full services to a society that functions in relative oblivion of the implications of their behaviour on the environment. It is assumed to be the role of government to “pick up” after communities and dispose of waste. This scenario is oblivious of the waste hierarchy and the role communities could play in minimising waste. Wishing on a star. The city continues to have under-serviced areas, public awareness is high and this fuels correct behaviour and a mind-set shift with regard to waste management. Working together we can do more. The City optimises its service provision to cover all areas while also ensuring maximum public awareness and behaviour change with regard to waste management.

Growing municipal waste mismanagement and associated environmental impacts is an enormous environmental concern in developing countries such as South Africa. Hence, this study explored current waste management and minimisation patterns and practices in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM), located east of the Gauteng province. The study was undertaken using a mixed method design, particularly the concurrent triangulated design where the quantitative and qualitative data were collected at the same time. The methods employed were desktop surveys, interviews with the participants and use of questionnaires which were designed based on the objectives of the study. The questionnaires were designed for different types of participants (namely, households, informal reclaimers, municipal officials and landfill officials). All the data collected were stored in Microsoft Excel (2010) spread sheet for statistical analyses. The study has revealed some patterns, practices as well as trends regarding waste management and minimisation within the EMM municipality. At household level, there was some environmental awareness on waste management practices provided by the municipality as well as local recycling options although there are numerous challenges to be resolved before these functions can become effective. With informal recycling, a number of waste materials are being reclaimed at various landfill sites. However, current informal waste picking activities by the so-called scavengers are not sustainable as waste is not separated prior to disposal at various point sources. In addition, informal reclaimers have to travel long distances to reach waste sources. Another concerning constraint hampering the effectiveness of informal waste recovery, has to do with their daily exposure to several environmental and health risks. Furthermore, the study has found out that the EMM is predominantly focused on providing better waste management services rather than balancing this activity with waste minimisation through reclaiming and recycling operations. Thus, the municipality lacks adequate infrastructure to undertake waste minimisation effectively. Also, waste minimisation and awareness campaigns were found to be inadequate and at an infant stage, unlike those carried out by private companies. In view of these findings, a number of recommendations have been made. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Science)

Thesis (MTech (Public Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. / The communities of Khayelitsha face problems with regard to managing waste. Increase on the generation of solid waste in the households by the members of the community; far exceed the townships’ ability and capability for safe disposal. Littering in the township is also a persistent problem, despite various clean–up and anti-litter promotional campaigns and programs introduced by local government, private organizations and other community interest groups. The persistent problem of litter and mismanagement of solid waste in the household should be addressed. The rationale and assumption underpinning this study was that waste management problems are related to social norms and attitude of the people of Khayelitsha. To investigate this phenomenon, the study adopted a qualitative paradigm. 300 heads of household residing in Khayelitsha for more than 5 years were surveyed, and door to door interview questions were conducted in 2016 June. Data from the questionnaire were analysed using Thematic and coding analysis. NVivo software was used to generate frequency tables. The responses to most interview questions were consistent for all categories of respondents and did not vary according to respondents’ background, such as gender, location household size or education. The study showed that social norms and attitudes towards waste minimisation in Khayelitsha are related to the entire waste management operation, and householders in Khayelitsha think similarly. To improve waste management in Khayelitsha the following are recommended: • Government and business need to consider incentives to minimise waste; • Government needs to improve waste management service facilities and build recycling centre which are accessible to the community; and • Government and non-governmental organizations and community members should consider awareness, education and training programs on waste wise management.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Organisations are beginning to take responsibility for the impacts made by their operations/activities on the environment. The sustainability of organisations can not only be measured by their economic performance, but also by their social and environmental performance. Good governance as recommended in the King III report (Institute of directors in South Africa, 2009) requires reporting to be integrated with the organisation’s social and environmental performance. Organisations inevitably use natural resources and generate waste. Agenda 21 states that organisations should use natural resources efficiently (UNCED, 1992). The challenge according to UNDP (1998:1) is not to stop growth, but to “change the patterns of consumption and production, using new technologies to achieve greater efficiency and reduce waste and pollution”. Waste management is not only an internal concern for the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), but also for the national and international institutions. In South Africa, waste management previously only involved the disposal of waste aspects of it; leaving out important components of waste management such as its treatment and the principles of waste reduction, reuse and recycling. South Africa has in the past ten years changed and has instead developed sustainability plans. For example, The Polokwane Declaration on waste management outlines what the government, civil society and the business community will do to ensure the reduction of waste generation and disposal (South Africa, 2001). The National Environmental Management: Waste Act (Act 59 of 2008) states that waste must be reduced, reused, recycled and treated before it is disposed. To this effect, South African municipalities are trying to identify ways to ensure that residents and industry adhere to these requirements. The CSIR is a scientific and technological research, development and implementation organisation which has a long-standing commitment to environmental protection. It has been accredited for adherence with ISO14001 Environmental Management System requirements for over ten years. Development of the Zero-Waste to Landfill Framework builds on the strengths of the organisation’s Environmental Management System and enhances sustainable practices throughout the organisation; and also responds to national imperatives such as the Polokwane Declaration. Typical waste streams generated at the CSIR sites include general business waste (paper, cans, plastics, glass etc), general industrial waste (oils, greases, metals, plastics etc), and hazardous waste (chemical, laboratory, bio hazardous). The Zero-Waste to Landfill Framework assists, and gives guidance to the organisation in order to achieve Zero-Waste to Landfill. It informs the CSIR in planning for initiatives and systems that need to be in place in order to achieve the Zero-Waste to Landfill goal. The framework is developed to provide sustainable solutions for waste management which result in economic, social and environmental benefits for an organisation such as the CSIR. This research was done to look into the factors that ensure that an effective waste minimisation process and programme is implemented at the CSIR, and the recommendations are that; a) The CSIR participates in sustainability reporting. b) The CSIR implements green procurement. c) The CSIR explores different innovative methods, technologies and materials that can be used to minimise waste. d) The CSIR runs intensive awareness raising campaigns. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Dit blyk dat sekere Suid-Afrikaanse organisasies uiteindelik besig is om verantwoordelikheid te neem ten opsigte van die impak wat hul produksieprosesse op die omgewing het. Die volhoubaarheid van organisasies word nie net deur ekonomies uitsette gemeet nie, maar sluit ook die monitoring van organisatories-ekonomiese in. Effektiewe bestuur soos aanbeveel deur die King III verslag (Institute of directors in South Africa, 2009) vereis dat organisatoriese rapportering sosiale en omgewingsuitsette insluit. Dit is onafwendbaar dat organisasies natuurlike bronne sal gebruik en afval daardeur genereer. Agenda 21 (UNCED, 1992) vereis egter dat organisasies natuurlike hulpbronne op ‘n effektiewe en verantwoordelike manier sal gebruik. Volgens die UNDP (1998:1) is die uitdaging aan organisasies nie om vooruitgang te stuit nie, maar “to change the patterns of consumption and production, using new technologies to achieve greater efficiency and reduce waste and pollution”. Effektiewe afvalbestuur is nie net van toepassing op die “Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) nie, maar geld ook vir ander nasionale organisasies. In die verlede was afvalbestuurmetodes in Suid-Afrika hoofsaaklik gemik op die wegdoening van afval, terwyl metodes soos hergebruik, afvalvermindering en herwinning nie eers oorweeg is nie. Suid-Afrika het gedurende die afgelope tien jaar vooruitgang gemaak op hierdie terrein deur planne te ontwikkel wat volhoubaarheid sal bewerkstellig, byvoorbeeld the Polokwane Verklaring insake Afvalbestuur wat bepaal watter metodes die regering, gemeenskap en besigheidsgemeenskap sal implementeer om die vermindering en wegdoening van vaste afval te verseker. Die “National Environmental Management Waste Act” van 2008 vereis dat metodes vir die vermindering, hergebruik en herwinning oorweeg moet word alvorens blote wegdoening plaasvind. Die munisipaliteite in Suid-Afrika is tans besig om maniere te identifiseer wat sal verseker dat inwoners en industrieë hierdie vereistes nakom. The CSIR is gemik op tegnologiese navorsing, ontwikkeling en implementering en het ‘n langtermyn verbintenis om die omgewing te beskerm. Dit het die afgelope tien jaar die ISO 14 001 akkreditasie bekom en behou. Die ontwikkeling van die “Zero-waste to landfill”-Beleid bou op die positiewe aspek van die Organisasie se omgewingsbestuursisteem en bevorder volhoubare praktyke regdeur die Organisasie. Die Beleid spreek ook tot nasionale imperatiewe soos die Polokwane Verklaring. Die CSIR genereer afvalstrome ten opsigte van algemene kantoorafval (papier, blikkies, plastiek, glas, ens.), industriele afval (olie, ghries, metale, plastiek, ens.), sowel as gevaarlike afvalstowwe afkomstig van laboratoriums wat chemikalieë en biologies-gevaarlike materiaal insluit. Die “Zero-waste to Landfill”-Beleid fasiliteer en gee gestalte aan die Organisasie om hierdie doelwitte in die praktyk te bereik deur die ontwikkeling van inisiatiewe en sisteme. Die Beleid is ontwikkel met die doel om volhoubare oplossings te verskaf aan ‘n Organisasie soos die CSIR wat uiteindelik ekonomiese, sosiale en omgewingsvoordele sal inhou. Hierdie navorsing is gedoen om faktore wat die suksesvolle implementering van effektiewe afvalverminderings prosesse en programme by die CSIR beinvloed te ondersoek. Die aanbevelings sluit die volgende in: a) Die CSIR moet betrokke wees by volhoubare rapporteringsmetodes. b) Die CSIR moet aankoopmetodes implementeer wat volhoubaarheid ondersteun. c) Die CSIR moet verskeie innoverende metodes, tegnologie en materiale ondersoek wat gebruik kan word om die generering van afval te minimaliseer. d) Die CSIR moet intensiewe bewusmakingsveldtogte van stapel stuur.

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.

The increase in global population and high urbanisation rates characterised by high resource consumption and waste generation levels has led to challenges in waste management around the world. Waste management remains one of the most critical challenges faced by local governments in developing countries. Informal business enterprises have come under the spotlight for their high waste production and poor waste management practices. Many arguments have been put forward as to the real environmental impacts caused by informal business enterprises due to their waste practices. This research aimed at assessing the waste management practices in the informal business sector in Olievenhoutbosch Township, Pretoria. Data collection was carried out between March 2016 and September 2016. The research utilised both qualitative and quantitative methods. The methodology employed techniques that included structured questionnaires, structured interviews and field observations. Semi- structured face to face interviews were carried out with key informants. These interviews provided information on the frequency of waste collection, available waste management awareness and challenges faced in delivering the service. The research also involved 230 field observations to study the pattern and frequency of waste collection and waste behaviours by informal business enterprises. Questionnaires were administered to 120 informal business enterprises with a response rate of 84.17%. Data from questionnaires and field observations indicated that waste generated by informal business enterprises (plastic bags, card board, packaging plastics, glass bottles and plastic bottles) was mainly recyclable waste. The most preferred disposal methods were use of refuse plastic bags (31%), open space dumping (20%) and burning (30%). Analysis of the results showed that there was lack of information on waste management and that also influenced waste behaviours. Preferences for waste disposal methods were influenced by many factors including lack of information, shortage of waste disposal facilities and waste collection frequency by the local town council. The research found that waste collection in various sections of the township was done once per week which has led to increased indiscriminate waste dumping and burning of waste. It was recommended that waste management information be provided to informal business enterprises especially on waste separation and recycling. The municipality should increase frequency of waste collection or provide central point waste facilities to business operators. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Science)

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)

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)

The hydrometallurgical refining of platinum group metals results in large volumes of liquid waste that requires suitable treatment before any disposal can be contemplated. The wastewater streams are characterized by extremes of pH, high inorganic ion content (such as chloride), significant residual metal loads and small amounts of entrained organic compounds. Historically these effluents were housed in evaporation reservoirs, however lack of space and growing water demands have led Anglo Platinum to consider treatment of these effluents. The aim of this study was to investigate whether biological wastewater treatment could produce water suitable for onsite reuse. Bench-scale activated sludge and anaerobic digestion for co-treatment of an acidic refinery waste stream with domestic wastewater were used to give preliminary data. Activated sludge showed better water treatment at lab scale in terms of removal efficiencies of ammonia (approximately 25%, cf. 20% in anaerobic digestion) and COD (70% cf. 43% in digestion) and greater robustness when biomass health was compared. Activated sludge was consequently selected for a pilot plant trial. The pilot plant was operated on-site and performed comparably with the bench-scale system, however challenges in the clarifier design led to losses of biomass and poor effluent quality (suspended solids washout). The pilot plant was unable to alter the pH of the feed, but a two week maturation period resulted in the pH increasing from 5.3 to 7.0. Tests on algal treatment as an alternative or follow-on unit operation to activated sludge showed it not to be a viable process. The activated sludge effluent was assessed for onsite reuse in flotation and it was found that there was no significant difference between its flotation performance and that of the process water currently used, indicating the effluent generated by the biological treatment system can be used successfully for flotation. Flotation is the method whereby minerals refining operations recover minerals of interest from ore through the addition of chemicals and aeration of the ore slurry. Target minerals adhere to the bubbles and can be removed from the process.

Integrated management of municipal and hazardous waste is one of the challenges facing the new municipalities in South Africa, especially those located in previously disadvantaged rural areas. However, much of the research on solid and hazardous waste management in South Africa has examined waste management problematics in urban areas, the majority of which are located within the jurisdiction of local governments which are comparatively effective in terms of providing adequate disposal services. By contrast, this study has examined the environmental risk assessment associated with unregulated landfill sites in the Albert Luthuli municipality, in the Mpumalanga province. The determination of the environmental risk was achieved by the use of questionnaire surveys and landfill analysis forms in selected study areas. The findings have highlighted a very high environmental risk, nearly four times and above, the threshold limits set by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT, 2005:15) for all of the landfill sites examined. Several exposure pathways stemming from associated environmental impacts have also been identified for the study. The higher environmental risk determined for the problem sites is ascribed to numerous factors, including their ill-planned location, the sensitivity and vulnerability of the natural environment and adjacent rural settlements, the lack of appropriate waste pre-treatment processes prior to disposal, and most significantly, the lack of regulatory and control measures to contain the myriad of environmental problems generated. In conclusion, it is recommended that several measures (including closure) should be taken in order to reduce and contain the magnitude of environmental risks involved. / Environmental Sciences / M.Sc.(Environmental Sciences)