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

Reverse logistics is an important process that is often misunderstood. Reverse logistics can cause considerable cost, but provide numerous opportunities. Many organisations do not understand the correct processes and procedures to follow and how to manage reverse logistics efficiently. The focus of this study was on best practices in reverse logistics. A best practice framework was developed to help organisations overcome problems and manage their reverse logistics more efficiently. This study adopted a mixed method research approach with both qualitative and quantitative elements. A comprehensive literature study was conducted to develop a conceptual best practice framework in reverse logistics and a survey was conducted to seek inputs from industry in South Africa to refine the framework into a workable instrument in practice. The study concluded that the best practices identified in literature have proven to be important in practice, and applying such practices will enable organisations to manage their reverse logistics more efficiently. / Business Management / M. Com. (Logistics)

This research aimed to investigate an area of research that has largely been overlooked in the past, that is, the efficiency, profitability and sustainability of informal waste recycling in semi-urban areas. In exploring the research topic, a recycling buyback centre was used as a case study. The centre facilitates collection, sorting and selling of waste and is located in Senwabarwana, Northern Limpopo Province. Here the P.E.A.C.E (Planning, Education, Agriculture, Cooperatives and Environment) Foundation, an organisation looking at rural poverty alleviation in South Africa, initiated a flagship recycling buyback centre as a community project. This research picks up on prior research that was conducted on a similar project initiated by the same organisation in Ndumo, KwaZulu Natal. Even though the location is different from KwaZulu Natal, both Senwabarwana and Ndumo are faced with similar challenges affecting social, economic and environmental circumstances. Five objectives were identified to provide structure to this research. Through action research, the study assessed the sustainability of this recycling buyback centre with regard to the impact on social, economic and environmental factors within Senwabarwana. It also covered problems experienced in rolling out waste management initiatives within the semi-urban study location and assessed the municipal framework with regard to waste and how waste is managed and recycled. Furthermore, analyses of the waste data generated at the recycling centre was examined that culminated in offering solutions to the identified problems. Recommendations for acceptable practices in semi-urban waste management are made to enable further research and potentially up-scaling the project for application in other geographic areas. The study reports both qualitative and quantitative data collected through the investigation of the case study in the start-up phase. The data gathering was done through administering questionnaires to waste pickers associated with the case study centre. Telephonic and face-to-face interviews and secondary data were interchangeably used to address each of the five objectives. The results from the data gathered show that, if properly coordinated and structured, informal waste recycling in semi-urban communities is possible and can contribute positively to the socio-economic and environmental development of these areas. It is envisaged that this study would contribute to the body of knowledge already in existence, whilst also creating an opportunity for further academic research and input within this field to enable the scaling-up of such initiatives. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Science)

A partir da Política Nacional de Resíduos Sólidos (PNRS) instituída pela Lei n.º 12.305 de 2010, os gestores municipais passam a ser responsabilizados quanto as suas ações no tocante a geração e destinação dos resíduos sólidos urbanos. Entretanto, a Política Nacional busca um novo modelo de gestão, promovendo a inclusão social, a logística reversa e outros instrumentos que devem ser direcionados pelos planos municipais de gestão integrada de resíduos sólidos urbanos. A questão é saber qual efeito esta Lei surtiu após 6 anos da sua instituição nas capitais brasileiras? Para responder esta questão o presente trabalho buscou analisar as ações do poder público municipal e as respectivas mudanças geradas nos indicadores da gestão de resíduos sólidos urbanos alinhados com os seus Planos Municipais de Gerenciamento Integrado de Resíduos Sólidos PMGIRS. Delimitou-se a análise aos municípios de Belo Horizonte-MG, Curitiba-PR e Porto Alegre-RS, por apresentarem semelhanças socioeconômicas e ambientais, tendo como intervalo de estudo os anos entre 2008 a 2014, por dar possibilidade de análise o período que antecede e subsequente à instituição da PNRS. Para tanto foram analisados os dados disponíveis no Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE); Sistema Nacional de Informação de Resíduos Sólidos (SINIR- RS); Sistema Nacional de Informação de Saneamento (SNIS); institutos de pesquisa dos estados de Minas Gerais, Paraná e Rio Grande do Sul e informações das Prefeituras em questão. O presente estudo baseou-se em pesquisa quantitativa e qualitativa, além de estabelecer uma fundamentação teórica sobre o assunto abordado. Como resultado, foi caracterizada a gestão de resíduos sólidos urbanos dos municípios em questão e avaliado comparativamente os indicadores destes municípios. Os municípios já instituíram seus planos municipais, que estão alinhados com a PNRS, entretanto os indicadores de reciclagem e reaproveitamento dos resíduos sólidos urbanos não evoluíram significativamente. / From the National Solid Waste Policy (PNRS) established by the 2010 Law 12.305,municipal managers become accountable for their actions regarding the generation and disposal of municipal solid waste. However, the National Policy seeks a new management model, promoting social inclusion, reverse logistics and other instruments to be targeted by the municipal plans for integrated solid waste management. The question is what effect this law has had after 6 years of its institution in the Brazilian states capital. To answer this question this study sought to analyze the actions of the municipal government and its changes generated in municipal solid waste management indicators aligned with their Municipal Plans for Integrated Solid Waste Management (PMGIRS). The analysis was delimited to the municipalities of Belo Horizonte-MG, Curitiba-PR and Porto Alegre-RS, for presenting socioeconomic and environmental similarities, with the study interval the years between 2008 and 2014, to give possibility to analyze the period preceding and following the institution of the PNRS. Therefore the available data analyzed was from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE); National System of Solid Waste Information (SINIR-RS); National Sanitation Information System (SNIS); research institutes in the states of Minas Gerais, Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul and information of the Prefectures in question. This study was based on quantitative and qualitative research, besides the establishment of a theoretical foundation on the subject matter. As a result, waste management was characterized in the municipalities concerned and weighed against the indicators of these municipalities. The municipalities have already instituted their municipal plans that are aligned with the PNRS, however the indicators of recycling and reuse of waste have not evolved significantly.

Abstracts in English, Sotho and Zulu / Waste generation is a global problem encountered by many nations. In recent years, population growth, booming urbanisation, an increase in economic activities and rise of communities’ living standards have significantly escalated household waste generation which has been a cause for concern. Waste production in households and schools imposes serious concern on the environment. To curb further depletion of environmental resources, sustainable consumption and household waste management practices and systems cannot be over emphasised. Therefore, the aim of the study was to explore the views of secondary school teachers’ views with regard to learners’ awareness of household waste management in Newcastle, South Africa. This study, following a qualitative approach, adopted a case study design to explore secondary teachers’ views on learners’ awareness on household waste management in the Newcastle municipality, in the Amajuba District, South Africa. By using semi- structured interviews, non-participatory observation and documents analysis, data were collected from three secondary schools and nine teachers, teaching Natural Sciences, Social Sciences and Life Orientation in Grade 8. The findings revealed that teachers understand the importance and benefits of household waste management although misconceptions of household waste management still prevailed. A challenge that emerged showed that teachers lack training to successfully integrate household waste management in their subjects. Their failure to identify household waste management themes in their CAPS subjects was sufficient evidence for the urgency of in-service training of teachers to assist them in integrating environmental education (EE) themes such as household waste management in their subjects. Although teachers experienced several challenges regarding implementing the theme of household waste management in their subjects, they considered the benefits outweighed the challenges. / Tlhahiso ya ditshila ke bothata bo aparetseng dinaha tse ngata. Dilemong tsa morao tjena, kgolo ya baahi, ho eketseha ha ditoropo, ho eketseha ha mesebetsi ya moruo, le ho phahama ha maemo a bophelo a baahi ho ekeditse tlhahiso ya ditshila tsa malapa ka mokgwa o bonahalang, e leng seo e leng sesosa sa ho tshwenyeha. Tlhahiso ya ditshila malapeng le dikolong e baka mathata a tebileng tikolohong. Ho thibela ho qepha ho eketsehileng ha mehlodi ya tikoloho, tshebediso e tsitsitseng le ditlwaelo tsa taolo ya ditshila tsa malapeng le ditsamaiso ho hloka ho elwa hloko ka tsela e kgethehileng. Kahoo, sepheo sa phuputso e ne e le ho hlahloba maikutlo a matitjhere a dikolo tse mahareng mabapi le tlhokomediso ya baithuti ka taolo ya ditshila tsa malapa Newcastle, Afrika Borwa. Phuputso, ka ho sebedisa mokgwa wa boleng, e amohetse moralo wa phuputso e ikgethileng ho hlahloba maikutlo a matitjhere a dikolo tse bohareng hodima tlhokomediso ya baithuti mabapi le taolo ya ditshila tsa malapa mmasepaleng wa Newcastle, Seterekeng sa Amajuba, Afrika Borwa. Ka ho sebedisa dipuisano tse hlophisitsweng hantle, tlhahlobo e sa kenyelletseng bonkakarolo le manollo ya ditokomane, datha e ile ya bokellwa ho tswa dikolong tse tharo tse bohareng le ho matitjhere a robong, a rutang Saense ya Tlhaho, Saense ya Phedisano le Thuto ya Bophelo bakeng sa baithuti ba Sehlopha sa 8. Diphetho di senotse hore matitjhere a utlwisisa bohlokwa le melemo ya taolo ya ditshila tsa malapa le hoja maikutlo a fosahetseng mabapi le taolo ya ditshila tsa malapa a ntse a atile. Phephetso e ileng ya hlaha e bontsha hore matitjhere a haellwa ke kwetliso ya ho kenyelletsa ka katleho taolo ya ditshila tsa malapa dithutong tsa bona. Ho hloleha ho kgetholla dihlooho tsa taolo ya ditshila tsa malapa dithutong tsa bona tsa CAPS e ne e le bopaki bo lekaneng ba ho potlaka ha kwetliso ya matitjhere a tshebetsong ho ba thusa ho kenyelletsa dihlooho tsa thuto ya tikoloho (EE) jwalo ka taolo ya ditshila tsa malapa dithutong tsa bona. Leha ele hore matitjhere a ile a ba le diphephetso mabapi le ho kenyelletsa dihlooho tsa taolo ya ditshila tsa malapa dithutong tsa bona, ba ile ba utlwa hore melemo e feta diphephetso. / Ukukhiqizeka kukadoti kuyinkinga ehlangabezana nezizwe eziningi emhlabeni. Eminyakeni esanda kudlula, ukukhula kwenani labantu, ukukhula kwamadolobha, ukukhula kwemisebenzi yamabhizinisi kanye nokukhuphuka kwezinga lempilo yabantu yikho okuye kwadala ukuthi imizi ikhiqize izinga eliphezulu likadoti/lenkukuma, okuyinkinga ebekade ivele isikhona. Ukukhiqizeka kukadoti emakhaya kanye nasezikoleni kudala izinkinga ezibi kakhulu endaweni. Ukuqeda ukumoshakala/ukuguga kwemithombo yezendawo okuqhubekela phambili, kusobala ukuthi kudingeka izindlela ezisimelele zokugaywa kukadothi kanye nezindlela zokulawula kukadothi kanti konke lokhu kuyiqiniso elingenakuphikiswa. Ngakho-ke, inhloso yocwaningo kwakuwukuphenya imibono yabafundisi bezikole zamabanga aphakeme mayelana nokuxwayisa uhlelo lokulawulwa kukadoti endaweni yase Newcastle, eNingizimu Afrika. Lolu cwaningo ngokulandela indlela yocwaningo eyencike kwingxoxo, luye lwalandela idizayini yocwaningo lotho ukuphenya imibono yabafundisi bamabanga aphakeme mayelana nokuxwayiswa kwabafundi ngokulawulwa kukadoti emakhaya ngaphansi kukamasipaladi waseNewcastle, ongaphansi kwesiFunda saseMajuba, eNingizimu Afrika. Idatha iye yaqoqwa ngokusebenzisa inhlolovo embaxambili, kwahlaziywa indlela yokuziphatha futhi kwahlaziywa imibhalo, kanti le datha iqoqwe ezikoleni zamabanga aphakeme ezintathu kanye nakubafundisi abayisishiyagalolunye, okungabafundisi abafundisa izifundo phecelezi Natural Sciences, Social Sciences kanye neLife Orientation yabafundi bakaGreyidi 8. Ulwazi olutholakele luveze ukuthi abafundisi bazwisisa ukubaluleka kanye nezinzuzo zohlelo lokulawulwa kukadoti, yize kusekhona ukudideka/ukungazwisisani mayelana nohlelo lokulawula ukuphatha kukadoti. Inselelo ebonakele, ikhombise ukuthi abafundisi baswela ukuqeqeshwa ukuze bakwazi ukuzwisisa kahle uhlelo lokulawulwa kukadoti kwizifundo zabo. Ukwehluleka kwabo ukwehlukanisa izindikimba zokulawulwa kukadoti emakhaya ezifundweni zabo zeCAPS kuye kwaba wubufakazi obanele besidingo esisheshayo sokuqeqeshwa kwabafundisi abasemsebenzini ukubanceda ukuba bakwazi ukuhlanganisa izindikimba zezifundo zezendawo environmental education (EE) ezinjengokulawulwa kukadoti ezifundweni zabo.Yize abafundisi behlangabezana nezinselele ezimbalwa mayelana nokusebenzisa indikimba yokulawulwa kukadoti ezifundweni zabo, baye babona ukuthi izinzuzo zalokhu zedlula izinselele. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Environmental Education Curriculum)