Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
5 ABATEMENT AND MANAGEMENT
5.1 Solid waste management and diffuse pollution
There is no need to conduct a special research investigation in order to ascertain that
unacceptable practice of solid waste collection is a serious threat to public health and a
significant source of diffuse pollution. This study has shown the extent, at which the
natural stream is polluted due to unacceptable solid waste management, but this extent is
site and time specific and the results obtained could not be generalized. The main
conclusion, which could be drawn, is that in such types of urban developments and
socioeconomic conditions, the management activities to reduce the pollution of water
resources should be directed to improve the solid waste collection process and the general
hygiene of the residential areas. The application of source control measures is imperative,
as it could lead to a high percentage of diffuse pollution reduction by the application of
relatively low cost measures. In most cases, the general public considers that this is a
task, which should be undertaken by the municipality and consequently, it is the only
responsibility of municipal authorities. It should be emphasized, that even the best
practice of solid waste management could not cope with an unacceptable behavioral
practice of littering and polluting the environment by the community members. Thus, the
cleaning and maintenance of public spaces and streams is mainly a community problem,
which should be addressed at all levels and should be considered an important aspect of
pollution abatement programs. It is in the interest of municipal authorities to consider
carefully the specifics of the community they are serving, and to apply creative tactics to
mobilize, educate and provide incentives to the public in order to achieve their objectives.
The practice of separate solid waste collection and recycling is gaining momentum
and becoming part of the daily life of people in developed countries. In contrast, the solid
waste collection and recycle in the countries of the South African region is very rare. It
has already been mentioned that in the study area, even an ordinary practice of solid
waste collection is not performed regularly. One of the reasons pointed out by the
municipal authorities, was the insufficient funding for the proper maintenance of the
transport park, and also, the limitations in fuel supply at national level. However, even
under normal operational conditions, local authorities do not have the understanding of
the need to develop and implement broader programs, which could involve innovative
management activities, such as public and community participation, education,
involvement of the media, organization of special events orientated to the public
education and promotion of values and goals, in addition to the ordinary technical and
operational activities.
One possible form of encouraging the collection and recycle of waste material would
be the implementation of a network of small centers, where people could return waste
material, as paper, metal scrap, plastics, tins, etc., and in return be remunerated modestly.
Such centers could provide jobs for some community members, who will be responsible
for the proper packaging and sorting of the collected material. The implementation would
not require a large investment; a simple shade structure would be feasible. The transport
of the collected material to a central location could be executed by the local authority or
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