Separation at Source Waste Recycling Programme in the City of Johannesburg, South Africa

Krishna K. Govender

Krishna K. Govender Head: Doctoral Programmes Graduate School of Business & Leadership College of Law and Management Studies University of KwaZulu-Natal

Keywords: environment, waste, recycling, separation at source

Abstract

AimSouth African municipalities face a challenge in managing solid waste and recycling is important in alleviating the current strain on waste management services. The aim of this study was to explore the challenges faced regarding the separation at source (S@S) programme by a major municipality in South Africa.Materials and MethodsA qualitative study was conducted among a purposeful sample of 15 employees of a Separation at Source (S@S) recycling project in the City of Johannesburg (CoJ), South Africa. Findings Four major themes and several sub-themes emerged for an analysis of the data, namely, recycling regulations, recycling participation rates, recycling behaviours and recycling challenges. Recycling behaviour emerged as the most important theme in this study and attitudes to recycling was the most important sub-theme.ConclusionThese findings will benefit the CoJ since it provides insights into the challenges faced when implementing waste management programmes. It is recommended that the CoJ provide structure and support to employees responsible for the implementation of recycling programmes to ensure optimal outcomes. It should also increase efforts at creating greater awareness of the importance of recycling and invest in educational campaigns targeted at teaching residents the importance of recycling and how to recycle effectively. Moreover, the CoJ should create strategies to ensure that recycling is convenient for residents and the effort and time taken to recycle must be minimized. Most importantly, the CoJ should increase recycling rates by encouraging organizations and institutions to implement S@S in the workplace.

References

Chen, B and Lee, J. (2020). Household waste separation intention and the importance of public policy. International Trade, Politics and Development, 61-79.

Chimuka, L. and Ogola, J. (2015). Leading the way: directions of municipal solid waste

management in South Africa, in T. Simelane and R Mohee (eds). Future Directions of Municipal Solid Waste Management in Africa, Africa Institute of South Africa, South Africa, 176-199.

City of Johannesburg. (2016). www.localgovernment.co.za/metropolitans/view/2/Cityof-Johannesburg-Metropolitan-Municipality (Accessed august 2016).

Department of Environment Affairs (DEA). (2011). National Waste Information Baseline Report; DEA: Pretoria, South Africa. Available online: http://sawic.environment.gov.za/documents/1880.pdf (accessed on 2 October 2017).

Fernando, R.L.S. (2019). Solid Waste Management in Local Governments in Western Province, Sri Lanka: An Implementation Analysis, 84: 194-203.

Godfrey, L., Muswema, A., Strydom, W., Mamafa, T. and Mapako, M. (2015). Evaluation of co-operatives as a developmental vehicle to support job creation and SME development in the waste sector. Technical report: Case Studies. In Research and Policy Development to Advance a Green Economy in South Africa; CSIR Report CSIR/NRE/GES/IR/2015/0053/C; CSIR: Pretoria, South African. Available online: http://www.sagreenfund.org.za/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/GreenFundWaste-co-operatives-report_CSIR-final.pdf (accessed on 2 October 2017).

Jagath, P., Gamaralalage, D., Ghosh, S.K. and Onogawa, K. (2022). Source separation in municipal solid waste management: Practical means to its success in Asian cities. Waste Management & Research,40(3): 360–370.

Jianguo L., Shuyao Y. and Yixuan, S. (2020). Toward separation at source: Evolution of Municipal Solid Waste Management in China. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 14(2): 36.

Karak, T. and Bhattacharyya, P. (2012). Municipal solid waste generation, composition, and management: The World Scenario, Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 42, 1509-1630.

Liu, Y., Xing, P., and Liu, J. (2017). Environmental performance evaluation of different municipal solid waste management scenarios in China. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 125: 98–10

Mlilo, P., Chigugudhlo, P.N., Marufu-Dzangare, T., Chitongo, L., Mutale, S.B. and Muyambo, N. (2022). Waste Management in Cowdray Park Suburb of Bulawayo, Zim¬babwe.

Munyai, O. and Nunu, W.N. (2020). Health Effects associated with proximity to Waste collection points in Beit Bridge Municipality, Zimbabwe. Journal of Waste Management, 10(5): 501-510.

Pikitup. (2015). Separation@Source programme. Available from: http://www.pikitup.co.za.

Sentime, K. (2014). The impact of legislative framework governing waste management and collection in South Africa, African Geographic Review, 33, 81-93.

Statistics South African. (2015). Annual Report 2014-2015. Accessed 20-04-2016, available at http://www.statssa.gov.za/?m=2015.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2015). Global Waste Management Outlook. 2015. Available online: http://www.unep.org/ourplanet/september-2015/unep-publications/global-wastemanagement-outlook (accessed on 2 October 2017).

Vassanadumrongdee, S. and Kittipongvises, S. (2018). Factors influencing source separation intention and willingness to pay for improving waste management in Bangkok, Thailand. Sustainable Environment Research, 28(2): 90-99.

World Bank (2018). What a waste 2.0. Available at: https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/infographic/2018/09/20/what-a-waste-20-a-global-snapshot-of-solid-waste-management-to-2050 (accessed 10 January 2020).