Community Resident’s Opinions and Perceptions on the Effectiveness of Waste Management and Recycling Potential in the Umkhanyakude and Zululand District Municipalities in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa

Abstract

Abstract:Despite new environmental laws and regulations in South Africa during the last two decades, especially around municipal solid waste management, there is little emphasis towards waste minimization through recycling. Whereas most waste management research in South Africa has focused on urban municipalities, not much is known regarding the effectiveness of waste management services and recycling challenges in rural areas. This paper reports on the effectiveness of waste management practices from the perspective of community residents in selected rural districts of the KwaZulu-Natal province. A random sample comprised of 333 community residents was selected for questionnaire-administered interviews. Based on the opinions and perceptions of respondents, the provision of waste management services is generally inadequate. Apart from the successful collection of domestic solid wastes (66.7%) from households by municipalities, the collection of recyclable waste materials from illegal waste dumps (75%) and from households (68.7%) are not being adequately provided. Thus, levels of dissatisfaction regarding municipal collection services are very high (97.3%) amongst respondents. Furthermore, systematic recycling initiatives that involve communities are largely non-existent and most (96.7%) respondents lack relevant technical knowledge on waste recycling and how it can be carried out effectively through waste segregation at source and other processes.

An AHP-TOWS Analysis of Options for Promoting Disaster Risk Reduction Infrastructure in Informal Settlements of Greater Giyani Local Municipality, South Africa

“…This, in turn, promotes proper solid waste collection and disposal that aims at reducing the disaster risks associated with poor solid waste management in informal settlements. It also attempts to address unemployment among informal settlers, particularly the youth, through the introduction of waste recycling projects [33][34][35]. These income-generating projects would then improve the standard and quality of life of the informal settlers, thereby making them less vulnerable to disaster risks.…”

Public Opinion, Perception and Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (Kap) Level on Solid Waste Management Programs in Penampang, Sabah: A Village-Level Study

“…This will actually be a win-win situation between both the public and the council since they are able to cooperate in maintaining the cleanliness of their village and Penampang in general. Globally, proficient waste management is a complex and challenging matter, and is heavily dependent on professional institutional capability, strict enforcement of environmental regulations and cooperation across municipal governments, as well as community's awareness (Dlamini et al, 2017).…”

Bibliometric Analysis of Municipal Solid Waste Management Research: Global and South African Trends

“…MSW has a complex composition and usually emanates from households and commercial enterprises. MSW comprises different types of paper, bottles, plastics, as well as garden wastes, discarded foods, furniture, clothes, appliances, and even batteries [2,4,[7][8][9]. To reduce the adverse and harmful nature of this waste stream, it is imperative to manage it effectively from its origin to the point of its final disposal or treatment or recycling.…”