Exploring the opportunities and barriers in implementing Makhado Municipal Integrated Waste Management Plan

Abstract

Solid waste management is challenging in developing countries such as South Africa. Integrated waste management planning (IWMP) is essential for designing or improving a waste management system to address these challenges. Increasing population levels, economic development, and rapid urbanisation have significantly accelerated the municipal solid waste generation rate in developing countries like South Africa. Municipalities in developing countries are responsible for city waste management and are challenged to provide an effective and efficient waste management system to their communities. Most often, municipalities fail to provide efficient waste management systems due to problems at times beyond their ability associated with a lack of organisation and financial resources, including corruption. Increasing solid waste generation is a major concern worldwide, with least developed countries particularly affected due to ineffective waste management systems. Developing and implementing IWMP in South Africa is a legislative requirement in section 12 of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act 59 of 2008 (Waste Act). An IWMP is one of the key instruments in the Waste Act for local government to manage their waste better. The primary aim of this study is to explore the opportunities and barriers to implementing the Makhado Local Municipality (MLM) IWMP. The specific objectives are to determine the extent to which the MLM has implemented its IWMP and identify the opportunities and barriers towards implementation of MLM's IWMP. The approach used to conduct this research was qualitative, where the researcher collected data through open-ended interviews, document review, and ground truth observations. The researcher interviewed officials from the MLM, Vhembe District Municipality, Limpopo Department of Economic Development and Tourism, and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. The researcher also extended interviews to stakeholders identified by the MLM IWMP as implementing partners. The content data analysis method was applied. Given the overall 22% conformity and 30% partial conformity, one can conclude that the overall findings were that MLM partially conforms with implementing its IWMP. Barriers were identified, such as lack of capacity, insufficient waste management budget, and unreliable waste service and collection frequency. Some of the opportunities identified in implementing the IWMP were compliance with the law, especially section 24 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 1996 in general. Some of the recommendations made included the MLM to start reporting on the implementation of its IWMP annually as per the provision of the Waste Act. This will help the municipality identify obstacles to implementing its IWMP and develop an intervention programme.