Abstract
Globalisation, industrialisation and urbanisation processes have given rise to improved
standards of living in most cities of the World. In turn, this has resulted in high volumes of
municipal solid waste being generated in the ever-growing urban centres, thus creating new
pressures in the form of waste management. In response, municipalities have developed
innovative ways of managing municipal solid waste and among them is the capturing, flaring
and conversion of landfill gas to electricity. In order to further knowledge on the role of landfill
gas capturing and flaring technologies in creating cleaner urban environments, this paper
investigated the operations within the Johannesburg city regions, focusing on Marie Louis and
Robinson Deep landfill sites. In particular, the paper aims to highlight the impact of the
innovations not only in managing municipal solid waste in cities but also in achieving
sustainable urban centres. A case study research design and a qualitative research approach
were adopted to gather data from key informants through the application of interviews and
observations and photographic surveys of landfill sites and solid waste management
approaches within the City of Johannesburg. The study revealed that there have been
reasonable innovations in the collection, transportation, disposal and treatment of municipal
solid waste at the landfill sites, thus improving the sustainability status of the city. Although
the innovations still face some challenges, if concerted efforts are exerted in adopting and
applying the novel ways of managing municipal solid waste, cities will be safer and sustainable
in the near future.