Traditional Brick Making, Environmental and Socio-Economic Impacts: A Case Study of Vhembe District, South Africa

Abstract

The brick making industry, despite its contribution to environmental pollution, plays a major role in the economic growth of South Africa, with the traditional technology accounting for a significant proportion of the total clay brick production. The aim of this study is to undertake a comprehensive description of the production phases of the traditional brick making sector in Vhembe district and how this contributes to air pollution. The study comprised a series of interviews and questionnaires of key role players from two small villages, Manini and Tshilungoma in the Vhembe district. In-situ observations of the production methods and phases were also undertaken between June and December 2019. The brick making production phases used in Vhembe district are excavation, preparation, moulding, drying and firing. An average estimate of 34,683 bricks is fired monthly per brick kiln in Vhembe district. Emissions from brick making organisations had resulted into several public health and environmental risks. To reduce environmental degradation, the incorporation of industrial and environmental wastes into brick making and the gradual transition to environmentally friendly technology such as Vertical Shaft brick kiln (VSBK) should be embraced. Thus, traditional brick making implemented with appropriate sustainable environmental technology has the potential to improve the socio-economic status of the brick makers.

Impact of topsoil mining for unfired mudbricks on soil quality in eastern KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa

“…Interviews showed that mud brick making is a family based microoperation mostly headed by women to support their livelihoods and provide shelter. This is contrary to findings from commonly reported brick kilns where the majority of miners are males (Aniyikaiye et al, 2021;Das, 2015). This may be due to the complexity and tedious nature of producing fired bricks compared with sun-baked mud bricks produced in studied sites.…”

“…Mudbrick making seems to be a full-time job as operating hours are from 08:00 to 16:00 hr. Similar working hours have been reported in South Africa (Aniyikaiye et al, 2021) and India (Das, 2015). Brickfields were located on lands along waterfronts and floodplains often associated with soils having high clay content and for easy access to water which is consistent with Aniyikaiye et al (2021).…”

An analytical assessment of brick moulding processes and its impact on local ecosystems, biodiversity, environment and human health in a rural Zimbabwean village

“…Research into this should be encouraged, however, this needs investment by local authorities into engineered landfills or even consolidated dumpsites. Anaikaiye et al (2021) argue that the use of locally available materials such as clay from riverbeds and anthills, firewood from a nearby forest or waste products from agriculture makes the brick-making process cheap and contributes positively to the socio-economic status of brick moulders. However, the low-cost firing technique contributes to emissions that are detrimental to the health of the brick moulders and the environment.…”

“…However, the low-cost firing technique contributes to emissions that are detrimental to the health of the brick moulders and the environment. The green method of brick production which entails recycling of industrial wastes would enhance the development of a sustainable environment (Anaikaiye et al, 2021). The gradual transition from traditional techniques of brick baking to an environmentally friendly technology is necessary.…”

“…Research in South Africa has shown that the establishment of a community-owned energy-efficient kiln such as the vertical shaft brick kiln (VSBK), serving as a source of employment for local brick makers would go a long way in reducing emissions associated with brick production. The VBSK has been shown to be highly efficient, energy saving and environmentally friendly compared to other modern technologies (Anaikaiye et al, 2021).…”