Magister Artium - MA / Solid waste management is a phenomenon that has been researched for many years. With the development of industries and commerce, waste inputs into waste management programs are crucial, since these are the sectors responsible for the generation of waste and thus the inputs are invaluable when programs are formulated. In order to develop effective waste management strategies, it is important to identify the source of waste generation and the processes that must be followed to minimize waste. The objective of this research was to follow waste from generation to ultimate disposal and to case study why and how differences in waste disposal practices occur in the Breede River District (BRD) and the Cape Metropolitan Area (CMA). / South Africa

No description available.

Due to concern about diminishing landfill space, the City of Denton contracted a municipal solid waste characterization study in 1999 that would identify materials for diversion. This paper describes the results of 5 1-week waste sorting events, a scale-house analysis, a recycling participation study, a recycler profile and a similar city study. The results of the characterization studies suggest that at least 50% of each waste stream is recyclable or divertible though paper products accounted for no more than 45% by weight of any waste stream. Curbside recycling participation rate was 71% during the 6-week study period though the average weekly set-out rate was 37%. Recycling participation rates varied significantly by zip code and by home value categories but not by gender. Denton is fairly progressive in its waste management approach when compared to demographically similar cities on a 15-question assessment though recommendations for improvement have been identified.

The handling of hazardous wastes -- their transportation, storage, treatment, and disposal -- has become a significant public issue in Virginia and the nation. The results of mismanagement of these wastes have prompted the passage of governmental regulations to reduce the risks to public health and the environment. However, regulation has taken place primarily at the federal and state levels of government, leaving the proper role of local governments ill-defined. Citizens, concerned that current regulations may be inadequate or poorly administered, have encouraged localities to adopt generally negative positions toward both public and private hazardous waste management activities. This paper evaluates the issues involved, the current role of local governments in hazardous waste management, both in Virginia and nationwide, and suggests that localities should carefully evaluate more positive local hazardous waste management options. Based on criteria developed in the paper, several options are suggested for consideration. / Master of Urban and Regional Planning

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg In fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Geography and Environmental Studies 31 May 2018 / South Africa will be dependent on coal for power generation for many decades to come, before a complete transition is achieved where more energy will be generated from non-fossil fuel sources. Through case studies of Hendrina and Kendal Power Stations, this study explored how the management of fly ash (FA) waste in South Africa can be improved to minimise its impact on the environment and human health and examined the potential recycling applications that can benefit local communities. The study drew insights from an environmental justice framework to examine the pollution impacts that FA is exposing to the local community. The environmental justice theory is based on the principle that all people have a right to live in an environment that enhances their wellbeing. Empirical evidence obtained from local community’s in-depth interviews revealed that FA is impacting on the health of communities by exposing them to respiratory and other illnesses and it is also affecting their livelihoods which primarily involves farming. A just transition theory was employed to examine potential socio economic opportunities that can be derived from FA recycling to fulfil redistributive measures that can reduce inequality and eradicate poverty in local communities. Some of Eskom’s power stations like Hendrina are nearing the end of their lifespan since their commissioning in the 1960’s and 1970’s. To aid a just transition, ash recycling was found to have the potential to address the socio economic situation of the power station’s employees and the local communities. The study found that local communities generally lack knowledge about coal ash recycling and need to be empowered and supported to partake in ash recycling ventures. The study argues that a shift in the ash recycling regime is needed in order to benefit local communities and facilitate a just transition to a clean energy production. / MT 2018

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No description available.

No description available.

Bulk chemical analysis of a combined municipal solid waste (MSW) bottom and fly ash from one facility showed most elements enriched over average soil abundances. Eleven minerals were identified using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). Standard additions using XRD gave the following weight % minerals (±2σ): gypsum, 1.8 ± 1.9; hematite, 3.7 ± 1.7; quartz, 2.3 ± 1.0; spinel, approximately 3.5; halite, 0.5 ± 0.4; calcite 3.5 ± 1.9; rutile, 1.1 ± 1.3. Mullite, sylvite, anhydrite, and wüstite were also identified. The ash contained 18% minerals, 9% structural and adsorbed water, and 72% glass. Chemical sequential extraction showed that most Cr is present in phases resistant to chemical weathering, while significant Cd and Pb are sequestered in acid soluble (carbonate) phases. Little of these toxic trace metals are water soluble or in exchangeable surface sites. Batch reactors experiments showed that ash-water solutions were dominated by ions released by soluble salts. Three types of reactions are identified. 1) After rapid exhaustion of soluble salts, sodium and potassium exhibited nearly steady state behavior due to slow release of ions from less-soluble minerals and glasses. 2) Calcium and sulfate concentrations are controlled by either gypsum or anhydrite equilibrium after a few hours. Iron, aluminum, and manganese concentrations rapidly equilibrate with respect to hydroxide or oxide solid phases. 3) Silicon clearly shows temperature dependent kinetic behavior, but its rate of release into solution is slowed by back-reaction of a secondary silicate phase. Calculation of the CIPW normative minerals for MSW ash showed it to be analogous to a tholeiitic basalt. Over the long term, the concentrations of elements in MSW ash will continue to change and can be predicted by Goldschmidt's concept of ionic potential, and mineralogical changes can be predicted based on weathering of basalts. Comparisons of literature values showed that field MSW ash leachates contained higher concentrations of soluble salts and lower concentrations of magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, and nickel than uncombusted refuse leachates. Comparison of chromium, cadmium, lead, and arsenic concentrations did not clearly delineate which leachate contains more of these elements. / Ph. D.

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of corporate-based recycling for communities without access to curb-side pick up of recyclable material. The secondary purpose was to use the taxonomy of behavior change strategies as devised by Geller et al. (1990a, b). The hypotheses of the study were as follows: 1) corporate-based recycling is an effective means of dealing with residential waste management in a rural community, 2) the effectiveness of one behavior change technique with a score of three (as proposed in the Taxonomy of Behavior Change Techniques) will be the same as an intervention package comprised of several techniques with a score of three, 3) the smaller the company, the more effective the intervention package and, 4) salaried employees will deposit more recyclable materials per person at the drop-off site than wage employees. Recycling drop off sites were established at the work place of rural residents as an alternative to curb-side pick up of recyclable material. Three sites chosen were located in a rural community in Southwestern Virginia. Two of the companies produced machine parts (n= 220, n=300). The third company produced printed material (n=32). Each company had both male and female wage and salaried employees with varying ages and levels of income. Recyclable materials (clear glass, green glass, brown glass and aluminum cans) were collected in four 33 gallon barrels in the parking lot of each company every Friday and weighed at the county collection center. In an attempt to motivate participation in the recycling program, the employees were informed of the availability of the barrels, given written prompts in the form of paycheck inserts and posters, and given group feedback in the form of a poster showing the weekly amount of each material collected at an individual company. One company also received a group meeting to promote consensus and to determine the weakness of the project. All prompts and feedback were given as a package at discrete periods of time in a multiple baseline design by groups. The intervention package was given twice at one site to determine the impact of repeated exposure to the intervention materials. Findings of the study indicated an erratic pattern of participation across the three sites. One site had such low participation that it was dropped from the study. The intervention packages did not significantly increase participation and the differences between wage and salaried employees were insignificant. It must be concluded that while some employees did participate in the recycling program refinements to both the interventions and the measurement techniques are needed. Directions for future research on the feasibility of corporate-based are discussed. / Master of Science