Investigating solid waste management in unserviced rural areas : a case study of Matobole Village, Limpopo Province

Abstract

Municipalities are mandated by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (RSA) to provide waste management services; however, most South African municipalities are struggling to provide these services due to a lack of funding, inadequate infrastructure, unsuitable equipment, and shortage of skilled personnel. The National Domestic Waste Collection Standards (GN 21 of January 2011) requires that equitable waste collection be provided to all South Africans. However, the gap between waste collection services rendered in urban and rural areas remains significant. South African rural areas are generally receiving inadequate, failed or no waste collection services. Residents in these unserviced areas are many times left to their own devices to find a means of managing their waste. The consequence, more often than not, being that waste either ends up being illegally dumped in open spaces, being buried, or being burned in an uncontrolled manner. This research aimed at investigating solid waste management in unserviced rural areas focusing on Matobole Village in Limpopo Province. For this purpose, structured survey questionnaires were administered to a sample of 238 households in Matobole village, with the view of: (1) determining solid waste management practices and (2) exploring waste management challenges and opportunities in the village. A total of 205 households responded to the survey (86% response rate). According to the results of the survey, the respondents generate food waste more than any other type of waste. The absence of waste storage infrastructure encouraged the use of old buckets, and plastic carrier bags for waste storage, and wastes were, generally, not separated at source. Limited waste streams, such as food and beverage containers or packaging, plastic and glass are informally reclaimed for potential recycling. Other waste streams, such as food waste, are used for purposes such as animal feeding. Although waste collection services were partially being rendered to households in Matobole village since May 2022, the majority of the village (approximately 89% of households) are still largely unserviced with regards to waste collection. The lack of waste collection mostly led to undesirable methods of waste disposal. The most frequently used methods of waste disposal in the rural households surveyed included backyard burning or burying of waste. Respondents argued that these methods of disposal were inexpensive and convenient for rural households. Waste management challenges mentioned by the respondents included, amongst others, infrequent waste collection services, a lack of storage infrastructure, no funds to buy own refuse bags or bins, inappropriate waste disposal methods, lack of communication, awareness and education, and unavailability of space for waste disposal. Waste-related opportunities suggested by respondents included: income generation through recycling and job creation, creating a cleaner and safer environment, and improving knowledge and awareness on waste management.