The management of South African landfills and waste pickers on them : impacting lives and livelihoods
- Schenck, Catherina J., Blaauw, Phillip F., Swart, Elizabeth C., Viljoen, Jacoba M.M., Mudavanhu, Naome
- Authors: Schenck, Catherina J. , Blaauw, Phillip F. , Swart, Elizabeth C. , Viljoen, Jacoba M.M. , Mudavanhu, Naome
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Landfill waste pickers , Landfills , Waste management
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/289167 , uj:31370 , Citation: Catherina J Schenck, Phillip F Blaauw, Elizabeth C Swart, Jacoba M M Viljoen & Naome Mudavanhu (2019) The management of South Africa’s landfills and waste pickers on them: Impacting lives and livelihoods, Development Southern Africa, 36:1, 80-98, DOI: 10.1080/0376835X.2018.1483822
- Description: Abstract: Effective management of waste and the promotion and management of recycling activities are necessary for sustainable and liveable cities. A key but unrecognised element in promoting recycling is the efforts of waste pickers who make a living from recycling mainline recyclables. This article aims to describe the approaches used on ten landfills in South Africa to manage waste pickers’ access to recyclables and their daily activities on the landfills. A multiple case study design and cross-case analysis were used in this study. The sustainable livelihoods framework (SLF) was used to analyse and explain the data. The results showed that waste management policies and practices directly influence the waste pickers’ access to recyclable waste and their livelihoods. Finally, some inclusionary and exclusionary practices are highlighted that could guide inclusive, participatory and co-productive practices for waste pickers in South Africa towards increased recognition, access, dignity and income.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Schenck, Catherina J. , Blaauw, Phillip F. , Swart, Elizabeth C. , Viljoen, Jacoba M.M. , Mudavanhu, Naome
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Landfill waste pickers , Landfills , Waste management
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/289167 , uj:31370 , Citation: Catherina J Schenck, Phillip F Blaauw, Elizabeth C Swart, Jacoba M M Viljoen & Naome Mudavanhu (2019) The management of South Africa’s landfills and waste pickers on them: Impacting lives and livelihoods, Development Southern Africa, 36:1, 80-98, DOI: 10.1080/0376835X.2018.1483822
- Description: Abstract: Effective management of waste and the promotion and management of recycling activities are necessary for sustainable and liveable cities. A key but unrecognised element in promoting recycling is the efforts of waste pickers who make a living from recycling mainline recyclables. This article aims to describe the approaches used on ten landfills in South Africa to manage waste pickers’ access to recyclables and their daily activities on the landfills. A multiple case study design and cross-case analysis were used in this study. The sustainable livelihoods framework (SLF) was used to analyse and explain the data. The results showed that waste management policies and practices directly influence the waste pickers’ access to recyclable waste and their livelihoods. Finally, some inclusionary and exclusionary practices are highlighted that could guide inclusive, participatory and co-productive practices for waste pickers in South Africa towards increased recognition, access, dignity and income.
- Full Text:
A socio-ecological perspective on occupational and health risks of waste pickers on landfills in South Africa
- Schenck, Catherina J., Blaauw, Phillip F., Viljoen, Jacoba M. M., Swart, Elizabeth C.
- Authors: Schenck, Catherina J. , Blaauw, Phillip F. , Viljoen, Jacoba M. M. , Swart, Elizabeth C.
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Waste pickers , Landfill , Landfill waste picker
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/296380 , uj:32290 , Citation: Schenck, C.J. et al. 2019. A socio-ecological perspective on occupational and health risks of waste pickers on landfills in South Africa. A socio-ecological perspective. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16, 2059; doi:10.3390/ijerph16112059
- Description: Abstract: Landfill and street waste pickers in South Africa are responsible for collecting substantial volumes of recyclable material, saving municipalities millions and contributing to a generally healthier and cleaner environment. Yet waste pickers continue to operate on the fringes of the economy and are exposed to many risks, particularly health risks which have a direct impact on the sustainability of their livelihoods. This article, using a mixed-methods approach, explores the health risks to which waste pickers working on nine different landfills in the country are exposed. The socio-ecological framework was used to analyse and present the results. A key finding was that waste picking, by its very nature, lends itself to innumerable health risks, but that these can be lessened through concerted and collaborative efforts on the part of landfill operators, local authorities and other stakeholders. Integrating the ‘self-employed’ waste pickers into the formal waste management system should be comprehensive in order to limit health risks. Waste pickers will never have a risk-free environment, but facilitative policies and supportive institutions can collaboratively help to mitigate these risks and create a more sustainable and dignified working environment towards sustaining their livelihoods.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Schenck, Catherina J. , Blaauw, Phillip F. , Viljoen, Jacoba M. M. , Swart, Elizabeth C.
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Waste pickers , Landfill , Landfill waste picker
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/296380 , uj:32290 , Citation: Schenck, C.J. et al. 2019. A socio-ecological perspective on occupational and health risks of waste pickers on landfills in South Africa. A socio-ecological perspective. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16, 2059; doi:10.3390/ijerph16112059
- Description: Abstract: Landfill and street waste pickers in South Africa are responsible for collecting substantial volumes of recyclable material, saving municipalities millions and contributing to a generally healthier and cleaner environment. Yet waste pickers continue to operate on the fringes of the economy and are exposed to many risks, particularly health risks which have a direct impact on the sustainability of their livelihoods. This article, using a mixed-methods approach, explores the health risks to which waste pickers working on nine different landfills in the country are exposed. The socio-ecological framework was used to analyse and present the results. A key finding was that waste picking, by its very nature, lends itself to innumerable health risks, but that these can be lessened through concerted and collaborative efforts on the part of landfill operators, local authorities and other stakeholders. Integrating the ‘self-employed’ waste pickers into the formal waste management system should be comprehensive in order to limit health risks. Waste pickers will never have a risk-free environment, but facilitative policies and supportive institutions can collaboratively help to mitigate these risks and create a more sustainable and dignified working environment towards sustaining their livelihoods.
- Full Text:
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