An investigation of solid waste management practices : the case of the Chatsworth township in metropolitan Durban - KwaZulu-Natal.
Loading...
Date
2004
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Solid waste management is a global phenomenon that presents one of the most
immediate and serious challenges in developing urban areas. Chatsworth is a formal
residential township and is a product of the apartheid system, where solid waste
removal was not seen as a priority. The inefficient waste management system has
resulted in environmental degradation with solid waste increasingly being disposed
off in streets, open spaces and streams etc. Waste heaps are becoming the breeding
places of insects and pests and potential health hazards. Moreover, the aesthetics of
this formal residential area is lost due to bad odour, unsightly dumpsites and
deterioration of the environment.
With most residential areas in South Africa having formal waste removal services, the
continued existence of illegal dumps is still a serious problem . In the light of the
above, the aim of this study was to investigate the solid waste management practice in
Chatsworth and its negative impact on the human and natural environments. The
social dimensions, perceptions, attitudes and solid waste practices of households were
investigated to examine the relationship between socio-economic status and current
waste practices. A survey assessment was conducted by means of a questionnaire
designed to get community opinions and understanding of the type of service they
received from the municipality. One hundred questionnaires were administered to
householders in the study area. The study was complemented with semi-structured
interviews with specific people of interest. The Statistical Package for Social
Scientists was used for data entry and analysis.
The findings of this study indicated that the waste collection system is inefficient and
the attitudes, perceptions and socio-economic characteristics are significant factors contributing to effective waste management practices. Appropriate policy backed by
legislation and enforceable regulations must underpin the strategic alternatives
selected to deal with waste management in the eThekwini Municipality. The planning
of integrated waste management should be seen as part of the solution of waste
management and waste management should be appreciated as a public service that
provides employment. resource recovery, and safe disposal of hazardous waste,
reduced pollution and community development projects.
Description
Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2004.
Keywords
Refuse and refuse disposal--KwaZulu-Natal., Theses--Environmental science.