An investigation into solid waste management in townships : the case study of Clermont, KwaZulu-Natal.
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Date
2010
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Abstract
An environmental challenge that is currently plaguing the South African townships in the
Metropolitan Area is the volume of solid waste being illegally disposed in open spaces along
road verges as well as in streams. The research aims to identify the root cause of illegal
dumping in the township of Clermont, Kwa-Zulu Natal. The researcher used quantitative,
qualitative and observation methodologies to collect data from member’s of the community of
Clermont. The severity of the problem will be measured by looking at different age groups;
level of income per household as well as gender. In general waste management and
environmental management has received little attention compared to other socio-economic
problems like un-employment.
As the bulk of the world’s population move from rural areas to urban areas, poverty is
becoming an increasingly urban phenomenon. Environmental problems range from
impairment of human health, economic and other welfare and extinction of the ecosystem.
The urban poor bear the greatest burden of urban environmental risks. The most significant
environmental challenge in South Africa is effectively management of waste. Currently the
focus in South Africa has been on waste disposal rather than on waste prevention.
Consequently there are no incentives for reducing waste and industries are not required to
submit plans for waste management when commencing a new business. Waste management
legislation is fragmented; as a result there is a lack of control in waste management.
This research will investigate whether community members are aware of what is expected
from them by the municipality and private waste collection companies. It will further analyse
at the norm of waste disposal within the developing countries compared to developed
countries. The study will attempt to provide practical solutions for the township of Clermont.
The study has five chapters. The first chapter introduce the problem, objectives and
hypothesis. The second chapter deals with the theoretical review to help the reader
understand different cases and how waste management handled in different parts of the
world. This has been done by looking at the international, national and local level, comparing
waste management trends. The third chapter describe the study area in detail and different
scientific methodologies researcher used to prove or disprove the hypothesis and objectives
that were set in the first chapter. Chapter four analyses all the data that was collected from
the community of Clermont and unpack other underlying factors that lead to poor waste
management in this township. For example the researcher will conclude using the data
collected if the frequency of waste collection is sufficient for the community and what can be
done to minimize illegal dumping. Chapter five, which is the last chapter of this dissertation
will suggest recommendations that can be used to correct all problems that associated with
illegal dumping in Clermont Township.
Description
Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2010.
Keywords
Factory and trade waste., Refuse and refuse disposal., Salvage (Waste, etc.), Theses--Environmental management.