Cleaner production as a tool to mitigate pollution in leather processing: case study
- Authors: Madanhire, I. , Mbohwa, Charles
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Tannery , Waste, , Discharge , Compliance , Environment
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/91535 , uj:20113 , Citation: Madanhire, I. & Mbohwa, C. 2016. Cleaner production as a tool to mitigate pollution in leather processing: case study.
- Description: Abstract: This study investigates waste management practices and cleaner production (CP) opportunities at the case study tannery. Work seeks to achieve sustainable development through the use of best practices. Ways of achieving compliance with environmental regulations through the application of initiatives, such rationalizing uses of chemicals, water and energy consumption were reviewed as means to reduce waste discharge into the environment and water bodies. Chemical and water consumption levels were presented as pointers to areas where by-products could be considered for recycling and re-use in the plant to improve on productivity. This work sought to reduce salts in the effluents by employing a number of CP measures including installation of a chilling unit to the tannery system.
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Perceptions of organisational commitment, job satisfaction and turnover intentions in a post merger tertiary institution.
- Authors: Martin, A. , Roodt, G.
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Merger , Transformation , Environment , Restructuring , Workplace
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6388 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1130
- Description: A merger can be considered both a phenomenological and significant life event for an organisation and its employees, and how people cope with and respond to a merger has a direct impact on the institutional performance in the short to medium term. It is within this context that post-merger perceptions of a tertiary institution were investigated. A predictive model (determined the “best” of 15 predefined models) of turnover intentions was developed for employees of a South African tertiary institution (having undergone its own recent merging process). A systematic model-building process was carried out incorporating various techniques, among others structural equation modelling and step-wise linear regression. The final predictive model explained 47% of the variance in turnover intentions. Contrary to expectations, commitment does not correlate more strongly than satisfaction does with turnover intentions.
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Effect of marine protected areas and macroeconomic environment on meat consumption in SEAFO countries
- Authors: Simo-Kengne, Beatrice D. , Dikgang, Johane , Ofstad, Sunita Prugsamatz
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Consumption , Conservation , Environment
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/284427 , uj:30718 , Citation: Simo-Kengne, B.D., Dikgang, J. & Ofstad, S.P. 2018. Effect of marine protected areas and macroeconomic environment on meat consumption in SEAFO countries.
- Description: Abstract: Livestock production and consumption of meat are significant contributors to today’s most serious environmental problems and global warming. This paper investigates the role of marine reserves in shaping meat consumption pattern across member countries of the South East Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (SEAFO) for the period 1990 to 2009. Using a panel data including economic factors, life expectancy and environmental awareness, we find that meat consumption is positively associated with the presence of marine protected areas (MPAs). This suggests a possible increase in substitution of meat eating to seafood by SEAFO member countries due to aquatic resources conservation. Marine resource conservation policy is not a complementary strategy for sustainable livestock policy. This points out to some necessary policy improvements and actions to ameliorate the relationship between MPA and the negative environmental impacts of livestock. Furthermore, economic factors appear to have played a significant role in explaining meat consumption growth. Apart from price inflation, the most relevant factors that positively influence meat consumption appear to be GDP, exports and imports of agricultural products, and urbanisation. Beyond economic factors, negative health information associated with meat consumption appear to lead to a reduction in the consumed quantities of meat. There is evidence that meat-eating behaviour is not only related to macroeconomic development but also to environmental awareness.
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Renewable energy: deployment and the roles of energy storage
- Authors: Masebinu, S. O. , Akinlabi, Esther Titilayo , Muzenda, E. , Aboyade, A. O.
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Energy storage , Environment , Renewable energy , Sustainability
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/93707 , uj:20381 , Citation: Masebinu, S.O. et al. 2016. Renewable energy: deployment and the roles of energy storage.
- Description: Abstract: Hydro energy still remains the highest RE contributor to electricity generation globally, nevertheless, trends in solar and wind energy has shown increasing investment in RE. Though a decline in investment was observed between 2012 and 2013, yet investment in RE exceeded that of non-RE in the excess of $80 billion dollar. In 2014, investment increased by 16%. As developed countries get saturated with RE technologies, developing countries are now the focus for investment. Wistfully, path dependency problem, lack of adequate infrastructure and policy framework have been highlighted as the major barrier to RE deployment in developing countries. Also, lack of harmonised government agency for RE implementation, incentives and educational gap are the institutional and social barriers. Energy Storage (ES) is being promoted as the “game changer” with capability of smoothening the variability associated with the two RE technologies, wind and solar, with the highest deployment rate. Recent developments are indicative of cost reduction for ES. This paper therefore presents a concise and holistic review of renewable energy (RE) technologies for electricity generation and assess the roles of ES in mitigating intermittency associated with their generation profile.
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Elements of environmental ethics in ancient Greek philosophy
- Authors: Chemhuru, Munamato
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Environment , Ethics , Environmental ethics
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/245071 , uj:25356 , Citation: Chemhuru, M. 2017. Elements of environmental ethics in ancient Greek philosophy. Phronimon, 18:15–30. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3086/2017/1954. , ISSN: 2413-3086 (Online)
- Description: Abstract: In this article, I consider how ancient Greek philosophical thinking might be approached differently if the environmental ethical import that is salient in it is critically considered. After pointing out how environmental ethics is generally construed in much of the discourse on current philosophical thinking, I spell out some unexplored elements of environmental ethical thinking that are implicit in ancient Greek philosophy. In the end, I challenge some common notions in Western environmentalism that take environmental ethics as a fairly new discourse of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Ultimately, I suggest that ancient Greek philosophical thinking ought to be judiciously interpreted from an environmental ethical perspective.
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Urban environmental benefits of green energy : a review of landfill gas to electricity technologies in eThekwini, South Africa
- Authors: Gumbo, T.
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Renewable energy , Landfill gas , Environment
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/214068 , uj:21232 , Citation: Gumbo, T. 2016. Urban environmental benefits of green energy : a review of landfill gas to electricity technologies in eThekwini, South Africa.
- Description: Abstract: In the quest to ameliorate the negative developments emanating from a heavy reliance on fossil fuels, there has been a surge in the development, adoption and utilisation of renewable energy technologies all over the world. Adopting a case study and phenomenological research design and applying qualitative approaches, this study focuses on the environmental benefits directly emanating from the development, adoption and application of innovative technologies in renewable energy generation and supply. In particular it assesses the experiences of municipal solid waste-to-energy technologies in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa. The results reveal that the innovative projects have resulted not only in improved municipal solid waste management, but more importantly improved urban environmental conservation. The paper concludes by recommending the scaling up of such innovative projects within South Africa and the adoption and application of these best practices to other African countries.
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Illegal dumping challenges in West Rand District Municipalities (WRDM), South Africa
- Authors: Muzenda, E. , Belaid, M. , Nkosi, N.
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Environment , Illegal Dumping , Landfill
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/404129 , uj:33878 , Citation: Muzenda, E., Belaid, M. & Nkosi, N. 2019. Illegal dumping challenges in West Rand District Municipalities (WRDM), South Africa.
- Description: Abstract: Increased population and urban migration in the West Rand District Municipality (WRDM) have significantly contributed towards increased waste generation and associated challenges. Increased waste generation exerts pressure, difficulties and constraints in waste management in the district with regards to storage facilities, receptacles, removal services and transportation. The lack or absence of waste management services in addition to other factors are catalysts and drivers for illegal dumping. In WRDM, illegal dumping is a result of rising waste disposal tariffs, lack of storage facilities, disrupted waste collection schedules, unsafe and inaccessible dumbing sites particularly for in informal settlements. Illegal dumping is prevalent in low income and overpopulated areas. Ignorance, lack of minimum education and public awareness with regards to integrated waste management significantly contribute to illegal dumping which is threat to human life and the environment. Exploring energy and material recovery from waste opportunities plus recycling could contribute towards reduced illegal dumping.
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Study protocol to examine the relationship between environmental exposure to lead and blood lead levels among children from day-care centres in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality
- Authors: Cindi, Mbalenhle Desiree , Mbonane, Thokozani Patrick , Naicker, Nisha
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Blood lead levels , Short-term lead exposure , Environment
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/415577 , uj:35119 , Citation: Cindi, M.D., Mbonane, T.P., Naicker, N. Study protocol to examine the relationship between environmental exposure to lead and blood lead levels among children from day-care centres in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. BMJ Open 2020;10:e036687. doi:10.1136/ bmjopen-2019-036687
- Description: Abstract: , Introduction Lead exposure is toxic to all humans and is very harmful to young children, especially 5-year-olds. Elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) in children have been associated with their daily surrounding environment. This protocol seeks to evaluate the association between environmental lead exposure and BLLs among children in day-care centres, including household and other risk factors. Methods and analysis To achieve the objectives of the study, we adopted a cross-sectional analytical design. A portable X-ray fluorescence analyser was used for environmental sampling, and BLLs were determined using the LeadCare II machine among preschool children. Household and other risk factors were assessed using a questionnaire. Random sampling was employed to select day-care centres in the municipality and children in each day-care centre. Data will be analysed using SPSS V. 26. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval and permission were obtained prior to commencement of the study. The researcher intends to publish the results in peer-reviewed journals and also to present a paper at a scientific conference. The study will generate information on environmental lead exposure among vulnerable children (2–5 years), and it will promote public health action to prevent long-term exposure in day-care centres.
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Resource and environmental insecurity in the Lake Chad Region
- Authors: Ani, K.J. , Ojakorotu, V. , Uwizeyimana, D.E.
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Resource , Insecurity , Environment
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/438807 , uj:38157 , Citation: Ani, K.J., Ojakorotu, V. & Uwizeyimana, D.E. 2020. Resource and environmental insecurity in the Lake Chad Region.
- Description: Abstract: Geography has become a major determinant of geopolitics. The nature of a country’s geography has direct influence on the foreign policy posture of the said country. A state naturally does not live in isolation hence it cannot be separated from the direct and indirect influence of neighbouring countries. This study is focused on the Lake Chad environment and the insecurity therein. This study focused on the push and pull effect of resources, insecurity and diplomacy in the Lake Chad environment. It found that agriculture was badly affected following the recession of the Lake Chad. Again, the mass migration of the people to the Lake Chad and their inability to eke-out a living there as well as national insecurity due to Chadian Civil War, Cameroonian Civil War and Islamism insurgency caused widespread irregular migrations into neighbouring countries. The study recommends increased multi-lateral engagements aimed at managing and transforming the deteriorating Lake Chad environment that has become overtaken by insecurity and resource depletion.
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Perceptions of external costs of dust fallout from gold mine tailings : West Wits basin
- Authors: Mpanza, Mbalenhle , Adam, Elhadi , Moolla, Raeesa
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Mine liquidation , Mine closure , Environment
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/455449 , uj:40311 , Citation: Mpanza, M., Adam, E. & Moolla, R. 2020. Perceptions of external costs of dust fallout from gold mine tailings : West Wits basin. , DOI: https://doi.org/10.17159/caj/2020/30/1.7566
- Description: Abstract: Mining is essential for the South African economy, just like in many developing African nations. In 2017, mining was reported to contribute 6.8 % to the South African GDP and provided more than 460 000 jobs. Though the sector adds an enormous amount of value to the country, its activities have significant impacts on the environment and the socio-economic factors of society. The environmental impact of mining operations includes air pollution from dust and the well-documented impact on water resources in the form of Acid Mine Drainage (AMD), creation of sinkholes and pollution of agricultural soils. Dust remains a persistent problem in South African urban areas due to the climatic conditions, extensive surface quarrying, unrehabilitated tailings storage facilities and mineral processing. However, very little is reported on the social and economic costs that accrue due to poor ecological management. Some scholars assert that despite the Mine Health and Safety Act, deposition monitoring guidelines and national dust regulations, South Africa still experiences persistent dust problems, especially in coal and gold mining districts. This paper investigates the perceptions of society on the effect of gold production dust pollution in and around a gold mining village (hereinafter referred to as the “gold mining village”) in South Africa. A mixed method was used, where a questionnaire and interviews were conducted to examine the gold mining village perceptions on dust pollution and their socio-economic environment. This paper further examines perceptions on how poor and premature mine closure through liquidation results in unrehabilitated mine tailings and how this has significant impacts on the quality of life of individuals and surrounding businesses. The community being investigated in this study perceives the dust fallout impact to be a threat on their living conditions. The paper finds that the community believes it incurs medical and financial expenses due to treating respiratory-related diseases triggered by dust fallout.
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Generation Y university students’ intentions to become ecopreneurs : a gender comparison
- Authors: Strydom, C. , Meyer, N. , Synodinos, C.
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Ecopreneurship , Entrepreneurship , Environment
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/457544 , uj:40605 , Citation: Strydom, C., Meyer, N. & Synodinos, C. 2020. Generation Y university students’ intentions to become ecopreneurs : a gender comparison. , ISSN: 1815-7440 , DOI: https://doi.org/10.35683/jcm20034.74
- Description: Abstract: Recently, the worsening state of the natural environment has caused researchers and practitioners to rethink the way in which this issue should be solved. It has been argued that the solution should not simply be one of regulation but rather of innovation. As such entrepreneurship, or more specifically ecopreneurship, has been identified as a possible avenue to bring about pro-environmental transformation within the business sector. To date however, research within the field of ecopreneurship is still lacking, especially within a developing country context, such as South Africa. In addition, most of the ecopreneurship data available do not report on gender differences. The purpose of this study was therefore to determine Generation Y students’ intentions towards becoming ecopreneurs within the context of South Africa, more specifically the Gauteng province, and to determine if any differences exist between male and female students. The study made use of primary data obtained through self-administered questionnaires that were distributed to 600 students across three (3) universities in South Africa. The variables used to determine student’s intentions to become ecopreneurs included environmental concern, environmental behaviour, perceived environmental knowledge, attitude towards ecopreneurship, perceived behavioural control, subjective norm and intention towards ecopreneurship. A combination of the judgement and convenience sampling techniques were used to identify the study sample. The statistical analysis used to analyse the collected data included, descriptive and reliability analysis and an independent sample t-test. The study found that students generally displayed positive intentions towards becoming ecopreneurs and that no significant difference was noted between male and female students regarding most of the previously mentioned variables. Female students did, however, record higher statistical means for environmental concern than male students.
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A review on green machining techniques
- Authors: Gupta, K.
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Environment , Green , Machining
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/457922 , uj:40654 , Citation: Gupta, K. 2020. A review on green machining techniques.
- Description: Abstract: Industrial revolutions from Industry 1.0 to Industry 4.0 have drastically transformed human life. Industrialization with high productivity, zerodefect quality, improved efficiency, significant time saving and much better connectivity are some major benefits, but on the cost of environmental degradation. To overcome this challenge, globally sustainable manufacturing interventions are being given considerable importance. The term Sustainability is the ability of the processes, systems, products, or services to perform efficiently without affecting environment. From raw material processing to supplying final products, sustainability interventions are in place. Sustainability interventions incorporate various strategies and techniques to conserve natural resources and protect environment. Machining is an important segment in manufacturing sector to produce engineered parts and components for capital and consumer goods with the help of typical processes. These processes eventually result out in high environmental-footprints. It necessitated the development of green machining techniques such as hybrid machining, green lubrication methods, dry-cutting, energy-efficient and assisted machining processes etc. This paper discusses some of the green machining techniques developed in conventional and non-conventional machining domain for clean, green and safe environment. It is hoped that green machining techniques would greatly assist towards the success of industrial revolutions. The main objective of this paper is to facilitate researchers and academics by providing useful information in order to establish the field further.
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