A waste site production-based analysis of the informal waste recycling sector

Abstract

The study set out to understand the dynamics of the production process of the informal waste recycling, using selected landfill sites in local municipalities in the North West Province. The purpose of the study was to assess informal waste recycling from the point of participants. Stratified random sampling applied to the selection of landfill sites followed by normal random sampling for participants at each of the landfill sites in the sample. Primary data was collected through site observations followed by the administration of interviews to selected respondents. Data analysis included the use of Excel™ descriptive statistics which were further run through Pearson's correlation and regression. Using y=income per week, the results indicated an r=.522 for grade 10 education, an adjusted R-square=22.1% and an F-ratio=4.912. There were no major differences in income for all respondents, the gender participation results displayed a high percentage of females, general participation rates are increasing each year, mean income per respondent is affected by the type and quantity sold, reducing the volumes of waste hauled to the landfill sites and create sustainable market by commercialization of the sector. The informal recycling sector is poorly understood and lacks recognition. In addition, critical constraints are on a lack of formalization, absence of waste pickers' cooperatives and limited official support from municipalities. The findings indicate that: participants operate as individuals with hardly any structures in place to represent their common interests. It is noted that education appears to be a major determinant of the likelihood of participation. Participation is spread across both females and males with marital status playing an insignificant role.