Abstract
Gauteng, as the province with the greatest industrial
and population density, the economic hub of South Africa also
generates the greatest amount of waste, both general and hazardous.
Therefore the province has a significant need to develop and apply
appropriate integrated waste management policies that ensure that
waste is recognised as a serious problem and is managed in an
effective integrated manner to preserve both the present and future
human health and environment. This paper reflects on Gauteng’s
waste outlook in particular the province’s General Waste
Minimisation Plan and its Integrated Waste Management Policy. The
paper also looks at general waste generation, recyclable waste
streams as well as recycling and separation at source initiatives in the
province. Both the quantity and nature of solid waste differs
considerably across the socio-economic spectrum. People in informal
settlements generate an average of 0.16 kg per person per day
whereas 2 kg per day is not unusual in affluent areas. For example the
amount of waste generated in Johannesburg is approximately 1.2 kg
per person per day.