An investigation into solid waste management practices in residential areas the case of the Phoenix township.

Abstract

The rapid population growth accompanied by urbanisation and industrialisation has resulted in a dramatic increase in the volume of waste being generated by modem societies. This has led to a growing awareness of the serious threats that these wastes pose to the environment. Thus, it has been acknowledged that one of the many environmental challenges confronting authorities in Metropolitan Durban is The Management of Solid Wastes. A number of researchers have found that inadequate and inefficient waste management practices are heavily impacting on the human and natural environment. Although formal townships are supposed to have adequate waste removal services, many of these townships are characterized by wastes being disposed of in streets, open spaces, streams etc. In the light of above, the aim of this study was to assess the Solid Waste Management Practices in the Phoenix Township. Questionnaires relating to the problem of Solid Waste Management Practices were administered to the residents of the Phoenix community. The study identified factors that contributed to the detrimental impacts on the physical and human environment. The study revealed that the current waste management practices (which encompassed the generation, storage, collection, disposal and waste reduction options) are characterized by inefficiency. Furthermore, it was evident, that this inefficiency impacts negatively on the physical and human environments, of which the major impacts are the illegal dumping in the Phoenix area. Therefore, recommendations were made consulting both the residents and local authorities with regards to combating or curbing the problems relating to Solid Waste Management Practices