Appraisal of domestic waste collection system in Emfuleni Local Municipality: what goes wrong when volumes of waste are strewn all over the area?

Transcription

1 Appraisal of domestic waste collection system in Emfuleni Local Municipality: what goes wrong when volumes of waste are strewn all over the area? Dr Khathutselo Masindi; Prof Ernest Ababio; Dr. Loraine Boitumelo Tumi Mzini North-West University-Vaal Triangle Campus

2 Content outline Introduction Problems Objective of the research Methodology Findings Recommendation Conclusion

3 INTRODUCTION The study concentrates on domestic waste collection (DWC) system initiatives in ELM of the SDM This article forms part of the study (theses) conducted in which evaluated waste management in SDM.

4 Domestic Waste Collection System The waste collection system is an integrated, multifunctional system used primarily to collect and process solid wastes from residential areas. The pockets of compliance with waste legislation exist in South Africa, and it is substantiated by the National Domestic Waste Collection Standards which came into effect on 1 February The setting of National Domestic Waste Collection Standards is informed by the -Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, -National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008 (Act No. 59 of 2008).

5 Aim of DWC Standards The DWC standards aims: To guide municipalities on how to provide acceptable, affordable and sustainable waste collection service to communities. To redress past imbalances in the provision of waste collection services, To render acceptable, affordable and sustainable waste collection services to all South Africans. To improve the quality of life of the entire community and To ensure clean and more acceptable place to live and work in. The lack of or poor quality waste collection services can however result in a number of environmental and human health problems.

6 Principles: DWC Standards Equity Affordability and availability of resources within municipalities; Clarity and ease at which the standards can be implemented; Practicality; and Community participation in design of applicable and appropriate collection systems.

7 Domestic waste "Domestic Waste" means waste, excluding hazardous waste, that emanates from premises that are wholly or mainly "for residential, educational, health care, sport or recreational purposes. Domestic waste can be classified into recyclable and reusable, compostable and also non-recyclable or non-usable waste;

8 Initiatives to manage waste Focus on projects such as the: -Evaton Renewal Project; -Dustbin and Waste Collection Project. These projects aimed at promoting a clean living environment for the community. To realise the project objectives, -the ELM employed waste management personnel; -distributed dustbins to the community to help clean the Evaton area. -Side walk bins

9 RESEARCH PROBLEMS In spite of the abovementioned initiatives the government still experience unpleasantness in household waste removal, The following are identified in terms of literature reviews: -Organisational Problems -Physical Problems -Socio-economic

10 Organisational Problems The legislation and enforcement of legislation, is inadequate. The current legislation (local by-laws) has not been fully implemented. Service providers do not have the support of the stakeholders and do not provide acceptable services. There are limited human resources, poor infrastructure and limited financial capacity Some contractors have limited waste management expertise.

11 Physical Problems Sufficient emphasis has not been given to appropriate waste collection services in the past. Inappropriate services, in the form of skips and by using front-end loaders to remove accumulated waste, were provided in the past. Illegal dumping and waste accumulation in residential areas. Existing waste collection services are often inefficient.

12 Socio-economic Problems There is a limited awareness of the need for effective waste management in the high density, low-income communities. It is difficult for contractors (particularly small contractors) to obtain finance for capital investment in machinery and equipment. Non-payment for services because of insufficient transparency, credibility and undemocratic practices and inappropriate and inadequate service delivery. In some cases, the services provided were not appropriate, adequate nor affordable for the recipient community. Service charges levied by most local authorities are not a true reflection of the actual cost of the service and this directly affects the quality of service delivery and/or its sustainability.

13 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES Analyse the institutional framework for DWC in ELM, Discover the causes of illegal dumping, Examine the approaches for improving waste management practices, Assess the effectiveness of the waste collection tools employed, Challenges faced by waste management personnel.

14 METHODOLOGY Qualitative technique: to conduct field research and for participant observations Quantitative techniques: to conduct surveys; analysing the content and to compare existing statistics of previously collected information. -Literature review, Interviews, Questionnaires Sample: ELM= Evaton households (Evaton North, Evaton West, Palm Springs, Small Farms) ELM: Waste Management Section; Managers, Waste Collectors, Street Sweeper; contractors

15 Provisional findings Non-compliance by government and communities towards DWC standards Some household do abide by the rule, you see plastic bags, Initiated waste disposal tools: mealie meal sack, buckets, basins Waste vehicles carrying waste are not covered: Two weeks ago, I was on the road to home, I followed the vehicle, some plastics fell on the road, at the intersection I hooted them, informing about the issue, they just laughed at me... No proper consultation Low-income household filled with illegal dumping

16 Street bins

17 Un-maintained resources

18 Uncovered waste vehicles

19 Recycling vs vulnerable

20 QUESTIONNAIRE DESIGN

21 DWC practices Separation at source Collection of recyclable waste Receptacles Bulk Containers Communal collection points Frequency of collection

22 RECOMMENDATIONS With our incomplete research findings we propose the following: Promotion of community education Public Participation Monitoring and Auditing of resources Community Clean-up Campaigns Whistle blowing Promotion of Waste Recycling

23 CONCLUSION Municipal waste management is a necessary part of any society. A waste management system has to relate to the communities it serves.

24 Thank you