Sustainable solid waste management systems in suburban locations

Solid waste generation has proven to have a significant, if not critical environmental impact, on the economy and human health. It is crucial to plan very carefully the handling and effective management of solid waste. This study is conducted in the suburban area of Soweto, Johannesburg. Formal (structured questionnaires) and informal interviews and discussions with some of the residents as well as municipal solid waste management employees are carried out, and results analysed in order to evaluate the level of community awareness, perceptions, constraints and concerns regarding municipal waste management. The current level of participation, although not adequate, is useful for future planning and more meaningful participation of the public in solid waste management of the City of Johannesburg Municipality. Results indicate that historically, a significant amount of unsorted solid waste in Naledi has always gone to the landfill. Source separation of household waste is not legally binding, it currently only relies on the attitude and willingness of a household to reduce waste or sort waste at the source. Generally, waste generated in most households are disposed as a mix waste in one plastic bag, before taken to the roadside for weekly collection by Pikitup. However, some households try to separate plastics, tins and bottles; and a private recycler comes and collects that separated waste for selling to reprocessing companies. Also, the relationship between the municipality and the community can be vastly enhanced in an effort to find common ground to work together.