Abstract
Ph.D. (Chemistry)
South Africa has a background in which the regulatory system has
major limitations, especially with reference to an integrated approach
to waste and pollution. The situation has been rectified with the
promulgation of new legislation that will approach pollution and
waste in an integrated and holistic manner. This new approach also
emphasizes that waste should be minimised at all levels, including the
household level.
The aim of this study has been to determine the influence of waste
recovery and organic recycling, at household level, on the waste
stream within an urban area in South Africa. The following research
aims set for this study were:
• To discuss the development of waste minimisation, with specific
reference to the South African situation and legislative framework.
• To investigate waste recovery and organic recycling as a waste
management strategy by reviewing literature.
• To investigate a waste recovery and organic recycling strategy
within a local transitional council by making use of an empirical
study.
The most important conclusions gained from reviewing the literature
are the following:
• South Africa has adopted the Integrated Waste Management
Approach, which includes recovery and recycling at source as well
as organic recycling.
• International case studies, incorporating both developed and
developing countries, indicate that organic recycling and waste
recovery programmes could be implemented successfully in South
Africa with resulting benefits for the communities, service
providers and the environment.
The aim of the empirical component was to determine the following:
• The effect of implementation of organic recycling and waste
recovery measures on the waste stream at households level.
• The comparative effect of organic recycling and waste recovery
rates between a training and non-training group.
• The respondent's experiences of the organic recycling.