Abstract
M.A.(Geography)
The prevention of environmental deterioration and the concept of sustainable
development has become a major concern worldwide. However, increasingly affluent
lifestyles along with continual commercial and industrial growth have led to the rapid
increase in waste production (Renoua et al., 2008). The most common method of
dealing with this production of waste is the disposal thereof by landfill, although this
technique is widely viewed as unsustainable. Landfilling is critical to integrated waste
management in South Africa due to its simplicity and cost effectiveness (Allen,
2001). Thus, there is a great need for environmentally acceptable landfill
management practices.
This research is primarily concerned with landfill management strategies and their
effect on operational and management issues. A comparative analysis of the Marie
Louise and Rooikraal landfill sites was carried out to distinguish differences in landfill
management strategies and their outcome on operational and management issues.
A concept, indicator, variable approach was used as comparative framework, while
external audit reports, landfill management plans, and interviews were used as data
sources identifying indicators and variables for analysis.
Findings revealed that the Rooikraal landfill has been performing at a high standard,
while the Marie Louise landfill has been underperforming due to a number of
management failures. Factors that could have contributed to this failure include:
external factors and its strain on effective management, capacity of local
governments to deliver services with regard to waste management, issues
surrounding co-operative governance, legal enforcement and compliance, and lack
of control and awareness over landfill operations. These issues are direct
consequences of landfill management and operation through municipal entities,
making landfill management through municipal entities a key area of concern for
effective landfill operations.