The waste debris problem in Greater Tswaing Local Municipality : evaluation of environmental education effects
Abstract
Waste debris as a common problem experienced in many communities, is variable across Greater Tswaing Local Municipality (GTLM) in the North-West province. This is due to the careless and casual disposal of waste along roadways and in other public places. Waste debris problem has been less of a concern in GTLM despite measures and possible remedies to curtail it.
However, waste debris has economic importance in that it can be re-used, recycled, recovered, treated and disposed of. Firstly, it is classified into general waste such as domestic waste, garden waste, waste tyres, post- consumer waste, business waste and building and demolition waste among others. Secondly, waste debris is classified into hazardous waste such as asbestos waste, expired waste, mixed hazardous chemical waste and health care waste among others.
Furthermore, waste debris has impacts in that it can threaten and affect different communities. It can be harmful to people, animals and the natural environment as it can threaten their existence and evolution. The major impacts of waste debris are: danger to public health, risk of fire hazards, endangering and killing of wildlife as well as damage caused to waterways.
The aim of this study was to document factors leading to waste debris problem in Greater Tswaing Local Municipality and seek to develop environmental education and awareness programs for the municipal communities. This becomes evident as the study unfolds through different stages and unpacking of chapters. The quantitative research design has been used to gather information and deal with the waste debris problem as experienced in GTLM. Insights drawn and analyses made will help to make decisions related to the future of this municipality.
The survey in this study is divided into two phases; namely from winter to spring (May to October 2017) and summer to autumn (November 2017 to April 2018). Hence, reference is made to Survey 2017 and Survey 2018 in this study respectively. This might also be referred to as Survey 2017-18. Furthermore, this refers to the months, seasons and years in which the surveys in this study have taken place.
A total number of seven localities have been sampled for this study. These include villages such as Gannalaagte, Kopela and Geysdorp squatter settlement. There are municipal sub-offices at Atamelang township, Sannieshof and Ottosdal towns as well as the main municipal office at Delareyville town. One can’t study one municipal sub-office area and one municipal office area without their neighbouring townships. Sannieshof has its township of Agisanang, Ottosdal has its township of Letsopa and Delareyville has its township of Matshelapad(Tswaing). Basically, this study focuses on three localities as divided into: villages, towns and townships as far as the waste debris problem in GTLM is concerned.
Data obtained revealed that different types of waste debris in the form of metals, plastics, cloths, papers, cigarette butts, glass, rubber, ropes and wires among others, are evident in the sampled areas of GTLM. Villages show the least amount of litter, followed by towns and townships with the highest amount of litter respectively. In all three localities (villages, towns and townships) in the first phase of the survey conducted during winter and spring seasons, cigarette butts have been the most littered items at 36.6% with food waste at 2.6% as the least. The difference in littering rates between the two is 34% and this is significantly large. In the second phase of the survey, which was during summer and autumn seasons, it was found that tins were the most littered items at 63.3% and rubble the least at 1.3%. Again there is a very big difference of 62% between the littering rates of the two items.
The waste debris problem in GTLM is the first study to be conducted in the municipality. There is no evidence in the libraries and offices visited in the form of documents such as articles, journals, books, dissertations and theses that have been found to be against this. Therefore, no comparison to a similar study in the previous years can be made. This study has revealed great need for environmental education in GTLM communities in order to reduce and ultimately eliminate littering behaviour which results in waste debris lying around the towns of GTLM.