Abstract
Hazardous and medical waste types are often generated
in the West Rand District Municipality (WRDM). The WRDM is made
up of four Local Municipalities (LMs) which are Randfontein, Mogale
City, Westonaria and Merafong City. Hazardous waste can cause
significant health and environmental impacts when managed
inadequately. It contains organic and in-organic elements with inherent
physical, chemical and biological or toxicological characteristics. All
the WRDM landfill sites (Luipaarsdvlei, Rooiport, Lebanon and
Uitvaalfontien) do not cater for hazardous waste as all wastes are
classified and permitted as generally the same. Hazardous waste
requires special handling, treatment and disposal and thus spotters and
gate controllers on the landfill site screen for hazardous waste. There
is no hazardous or medical waste disposal site in the WRDM therefore,
hazardous waste generated by WRDM is disposed off at an
incinerating plant near Roodepoort in Johannesburg.