Abstract
M.Ing. (Engineering Management)
Solid waste generation has been proven to have a significant, if not critical environmental impact, on the economy and human health. Therefore, it is crucial to plan very carefully the handling and effective management of solid waste. This study is conducted in the suburban area of Johannesburg, Soweto (Naledi). The primary objective of the City of Johannesburg Waste Management Plan is to incorporate, enhance and upgrade waste management in order to boost its proficiency. (Boitumelong Environmental Consultants (PTY) LTD, 2005). Structured questionnaires with close-ended questions being distributed among the Naledi community, and analysed quantitatively. Informal interviews and discussions with some of the residents, with buyback centres, scavengers and municipal Pikitup solid waste management employees also took place. These are supplemented with some information gathered through physical observations and field visits to the landfill. Results analysed in order to evaluate the level of community awareness, perceptions, constraints and concerns regarding municipal waste management. The results indicate that significant amount of unsorted solid waste in Naledi has always gone to the landfill. Generally, waste generated in most households are disposed of mixed in one plastic bag, before taken to the roadside for weekly collection by Pikitup. However, some households try to separate plastics, tins and bottles; and a private recycler comes and collects that separated waste for selling shows. The results also show that none of the interviewed community members believe that the municipality and residents should actually have to work together in waste management. Total sample indicates that 80% claim that the community itself is responsible for waste minimisation and only 20% see it as the municipality’s responsibility. A partnership between the municipality and residents needs to be created and then strengthened to derive at a positive domestic waste management system. If sustainable solid waste management in Naledi is supposed to have a major positive impact, it will require all individuals (the employed, unemployed, youth, professionals and uneducated) to participate. Most importantly, consumers and businesses will have to understand that the time to act is now before the solid waste management problem becomes unmanageable and ultimately has dire consequences to humans and the environment.