Sustainable waste management in the informal settlement of Hlalani, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape

Abstract

Waste is a topic that provokes intensive discussions due to the devastating repercussions on humans and the biophysical environment at large (Anand, 2013). The study evaluated Sustainable Waste Management (SWM) in the informal settlements of Hlalani, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. In an effort to achieve the main aim of the research, the following objectives were employed in the study: Identify various waste management plans and practices in the area to solve the problem of waste. Moreover, to find out if the above plans, if any exist, adhere to principles of the waste management hierarchy provided in terms of NEMA: Waste Management Act. Furthermore, to find out whether or not the city council has future strategies to deal with waste in the Hlalani settlement. Lastly, the research seeks to provide recommendations on how waste management plans can improve to benefit the community and the environment. The study made use of various qualitative and quantitative techniques to collect and analyse data. The primary sources of information used in the study from the qualitative research techniques were in-depth face-to-face and semi-structured interviews with waste officials and the ward councillor. The aforementioned mentioned individuals were interviewed to identify their role in the management of waste in the study area. Interviews were administered to individuals residing in this community to gather data on waste management in the area and whether they felt they are included in the MSWM plan of the Bay. Officials from the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) and the DEDEA were also interviewed through semi-structured interviews. These government officials act as custodians in the management of waste in the country, so their input was critical in the study. Primary sources of information that were used from the quantitative research methods were surveys and logical observations. The study also made use of various secondary sources that were consulted to answer the research question. Official papers from research documents, papers, and various published government documents were also reviewed. Furthermore, the collection of secondary data collection involved several printed materials, municipal archives, books and journals, which assisted in answering the research question. The study’s significant findings indicate that the municipality has never serviced the area. The study further revealed that occupants in the area had no exposure to proper handling of waste. However, residents in the area don’t seem to be playing their part in the management of waste and are instead blaming the government for the dreadful conditions.