Vol 13, No 2, May 2011
Prom Pr omot otin ingg in inte tegratted d resources es m anag an gementt Promoting integrated management
Waste generation Rising concerns versus economic growth
Vissershok Landfill The effects of poor operation and management
Solid waste collection just got a facelift The official journal of the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa
www.3smedia.co.za
ISSN 1680-4902 R35.00 (incl VAT)
contents
www.3smedia.co.za ISSN 1680-4902, Volume 13, Number 2, May 2011
Vol 13, No 2, May 2011
Promoting integrated resources manag management gement
Vissershok Landfill
Waste generation Rising concerns versus economic growth
The effects of poor operation and management
Cover story Solid waste collection just got a facelift The official journal of the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa
www.3smedia.co.za
6
ISSN 1680-4902 R35.00 (incl VAT)
8
Mercedes-Benz Axor: One of the leading trucks for solid waste applications – now with a new look
The RéSource team stands firmly behind environmental preservation. As such, RéSource magazine is printed on 100% recycled paper and uses no dyes or varnishes. The magazine is saddle-stitched to ensure that no glues are required in the binding process.
Regulars
49
3 5
Air pollution
Power from furnaces: metal producers
President’s comment Editor’s comment
Solid waste
54
Carbon taxes: route towards sustainable development?
8
National Domestic Waste Collection Standards
Medical waste
10
Waste generation in protected areas
58
Disposal debate: incineration, autoclave or non-burn technology
Recycling
62
Engineered sharps containers: reducing SIs
18 25
Hazardous waste
The Blue Gill Ecopark Project Plastics recycling survey: results and challenges
Landfills 34
Vissershok Landfill case study: operations and management
41
Geosynthetic clay liners: economical solutions
66
49
UN standards: RPMASA overview
Wastewater management 68
Oil over troubled water: discharging effluents
IWMSA news
Waste to energy
70
A salute to our president: interview with Stan Jewaskiewitz
45
72
Patron member function: image highlights
Biogas extraction: alternative energy source
10
54 RéSource May 2011 – 1
President's comment
Strategic plans going forward
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ouncil members and the vice-chairpersons of the branches attended a strategic workshop on 17 and 18 February in Gauteng. The purpose of this workshop was to revisit the strategic objectives we previously set ourselves and in terms of the progress made so far determine what changes are required to ensure that we move forward in the right direction. The workshop was facilitated by Kallie Roos and everyone participated to the fullest, which ensured lively debate, resulting in a fresh view on the way forward for the IWMSA. The six objectives that were set for the next year were to: 1. Market and brand the IWMSA as an extension of our continual communication portfolio, where we focus on priorities as defined by the council. 2. Provide ongoing, accredited education and training relevant to the needs of municipalities and industry that will result in high ethical conduct and standards in the industry. 3. Accredit member organisations (big, small and individual) through the development of a model (assessment standard/audit) that will accredit them yet at the same time include mentorship as part of the package. 4. Facilitate government liaison with national departments (DEA) to provide the link with local government. 5. Involve ourselves in social responsibility opportunities with school programmes, supporting communities
and providing assistance to those with existing programmes, resulting in tangible grassroots impact, where projects get benchmarked and used by municipalities, as well as small and micro enterprises. 6. Ensure that the institute transformation policy is all-encompassing to have an influence on the needs of the members. I look forward to the challenges that the
The IWMSA has granted the HCWF branch status and intends calling a special general meeting at the summit to elect a new committee above objectives bring and trust that council members will get the necessary support from the branches and members.
Health Care Waste Summit Are you as a health-care provider, tattoo artist, general practitioner, surgeon, medical institution or civilian aware of the legal implications of the incorrect disposal of health-care or medical waste? Do you provide medical-related services without an understanding of the prescribed policies and regulations when it comes to health-care waste disposal? On 16 and 17 May 2011 the IWMSA will host its second biennial Health Care Waste Summit and Expo 2011 in Johannesburg, Gauteng in an effort to promote awareness of
Stan Jewaskiewitz, president, IWMSA environmental laws for medical waste generators and service providers. The illegal disposal of health-care waste has been a burning issue over the past 16 months, with a number of pending court cases. Tender irregularities, the lack of treatment facilities and vested interests are also often cited as being part of the problem. The Health Care Waste Forum (HCWF) intends to debate these issues to try to resolve the crisis facing the industry. A number of these issues have also been responsible for the dissolution of the previous HCWF committee and an extended delay in electing a new committee. The IWMSA has granted the HCWF branch status and intends calling a special general meeting at the summit to elect a new committee. I trust that our members and all those concerned with health-care waste will take an active part in electing a new committee and support its endeavours going forward. We can no longer afford to see this industry in crisis and the negative publicity it attracts, which in turn reflects on the IWMSA. Notices for the special general meeting and a call for nominations will soon be sent to all members. I look forward to seeing you all at the summit! Regards Stan Jewaskiewitz President, IWMSA
Patron members of the IWMSA
RÊSource May 2011 – 3
Editor's comment Publisher: Elizabeth Shorten Editor: Candice Landie Tel: +27 (0)11 233 2600, candice@3smedia.co.za Creative executive head: Frédérick Danton Graphic designer: Hayley Moore Chief sub-editor: Sally Shaw Sub-editor: Danielle Hugo Production manager: Antois-Leigh Visagie Production coordinator: Jacqueline Modise Financial manager: Andrew Lobban Marketing manager: Natalie Nelson Subscriptions sales: Cindy Cloete Administrator: Tonya Hebenton Distribution coordinator: Asha Pursotham Printers: United Litho Johannesburg Tel: +27 (0)11 402 0571 Advertising sales: Christine Pretorius Tel: +27 (0)11 465 6273 christine.pretorius@lantic.net
Publisher: MEDIA No.4, 5th Avenue Rivonia, 2191 PO Box 92026, Norwood 2117 Tel: +27 (0)11 233 2600 Share Call: 086 003 3300 Fax: +27 (0)11 234 7274/5 www.3smedia.co.za Annual subscription: R160.00 (incl VAT) South Africa cindy@3smedia.co.za ISSN 1680-4902 The Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa Tel: +27 (0)11 675 3462 E-mail: iwmsa@telkomsa.net
All material herein RéSource is copyright-protected and may not be reproduced either in whole or in part without the prior written permission of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed in the magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or editor, but those of the author or other contributors under whose name contributions may appear, unless a contributor expresses a viewpoint or opinion in his or her capacity as an elected office bearer of a company, group or association. © Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.
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A journey worth enjoying T
Events seem to be big on the his is the second issue of corporate calendar at this time of RéSource for 2011 and I hope the year, with 3S Media (publisher everyone is well rested after of RéSource and other trade and that wonderful Easter break. As we technical print and electronic titles) kick off with the May edition, the having recently celebrated 50 years in IWMSA counts down the days until its the media industry. Held in the form of second biennial Health Care Waste a fancy cocktail party at the Birchwood Summit & Expo, which will be held on Hotel, 3S Media staff played host to 18 and 19 May at Emperor’s Palace, our loyal advertisers and contributors Johannesburg (see full advert inside). who have been the building blocks On the subject of medical waste, what of our success. Elizabeth Shorten, has gone wrong with the industry? publisher and managing director of 3S Companies and organisations Media, shared the company’s history dedicated to waste and environmental at the event and the full story is feamanagement are expected to set the tured in this issue of RéSource. benchmark for others. Since when did Another feature that is a mustit become acceptable to allow greed read in this issue is that of IWMSA and corruption to take precedence president, Stan Jewaskiewitz. I had over proper waste management? As the pleasure of taking a trip down editor of the official magazine for the memory lane with Stan, from his early IWMSA, I have had enough of hearing days as a civil engineering technician stories about the illegal collection and for the Natal Department of Roads in disposal of medical waste and I’m Pietermaritzburg through to his journey sure you have too. It is a poor reflecas CEO of Envitech Solutions. He is an tion on the IWMSA (as most of these insightful person who has held the title companies are institute members), it is a poor reflection on society and it is of director and CEO at large companies, and both Stan and his wife Gill remain a poor reflection on the quality of the humble and loyal to the waste industry. individuals in charge. And with that, we have the usual The Health Care Waste Summit & line-up of only the top reads from the Expo aims to address these issues industry, including OilKol’s regular and discuss solutions going forward. three-page newsletter, which will feaIt also allows companies and organiture in every issue for 2011. Rounding sations the opportunity to showcase up, I would like their products and services. vices. l to say congratulations to OilXOil on obtaining their ISO There’s an interesting 14001 accreditation (full profile discussion in this issuee of inside). If you have some good RéSource that zooms inn on inside) news you’d like to brag about the technologies availnew – be it person, product or able in South Africa forr the correct disposal of sservice – contact Christine Pretorius on +27 (0)11 465 health-care risk waste P 6273 and have your profile (HCRW). Featuring 6 featured in the pages of technologies from fe RéSource. three major industry Ré leaders, the debate is Happy reading! a must-read for anyonee doing business in the Editor, Candice Landie medical field. Candice Landie, editor
RéSource May 2011 – 5
Cover story
Distinguished by the modern Actros-style appearance, the new Mercedes-Benz Axor boasts a newly designed front section. It is leading the way as one of the most preferred trucks on the market for solid waste applications.
T
he new Axor, featuring a striking radiator grille and revamped interior, continues a long-established legacy of Mercedes-Benz trucks and brings unprecedented comfort and functionality to distribution operations.
Revamped cockpitt The new Axor trucks come standard with new seat covers, head restraints integrated into the backrests and a clothes rail with adjustable hooks. The cockpits have been designed to cater for specific needs and feature a host of stowage options as well as ergonomically positioned controls within easy reach of the driver. The easy throughcab access for both the driver and co-driver allows for freedom of movement during
6 – RéSource May 2011
delivery. All variants are now equipped with a multifunction steering wheel to operate the onboard computer, telephone and radio. The new anti-glare instrument cluster features chrome ring surrounds for the speedometer and rev counter. The Axor also comes standard with a state-of-the-art communications centre, including a new radio with Bluetooth capabilities and a CD player with control functions incorporated into the multifunction steering wheel. The new Axor continues to offer the unique choice of three different cab sizes. The standard short cab is ideally suited for day-to-day operations. In the freight carrier and trucktractor models, this cab comes with a fold-up bunk.
The low-roof sleeper cab is best suited for medium-distance haulage and the highroof sleeper cab for long-distance routes. The spacious low-roof sleeper cab with a standard bed is comfortable and practical, while the high-roof sleeper cab provides a generous feeling of space and additional stowage options behind the seats. In addition, the Axor boasts excellent rear visibility owing to the electronically adjustable aerodynamic exterior mirrors (standard on the co-driver’s side), as well as the wide angle rear-view mirror located below the main mirror. Heated exterior mirrors also come as standard so there is no risk of their misting over. The new bumper view mirror will also provide assistance when manoeuvring in tight spaces. For further
Cover story
safety while manoeuvring and parking, a reverse warning buzzer has been integrated into the reverse light.
Range of driive configurratioons The Axor is mated to the six-cylinder in-line engine with a displacement of 6 ℓ and 12 ℓ. Peak torque ranges from 1 100 Nm for the engine with 205 kW (279 hp), 1 850 Nm for the 260 kW (354 hp) engine to 2 000 Nm of torque for the engine with 295 kW (401 hp) of power at 1 250 r/ min and 1 100 r/min respectively. Both these engines are also Euro 3 compliant. The Telligent® engine management system allows these engines to reach their peak torque in the r/min range. This means that power is available when it is needed most, while offering lower fuel consumption. “These engines are well suited to the typography and rugged conditions of the South African roads and the reliability has been proven over a number of years,” says Christo Kleynhans, product manager, Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles.
CharteerW rWay The Axor vehicles are highly desirable trucks for distribution operators. To accommodate customers in purchasing or upgrading their fleet of vehicles, a value-added product named CharterWay Service Leasing is available to facilitate these needs. The CharterWay Service Leasing product is supported by Mercedes-Benz Financial Services and has a modular range of services to offer a high degree of flexibility to transport operators in terms of lease duration and maintenance cover (the latter is available separately if required). Effectively CharterWay transfers the risk of truck ownership from the customer to the supplier and the client knows exactly what their monthly expenses are based on the predetermined monthly rental. The CharterWay Service products include the Complete and BestBasic packages. The choice between these packages will be based on the amount of risk the customer wishes to transfer out of their business, starting with a ‘service only’ plan, up to a full maintenance plan, in this way outsourcing maximum risk.
Inn a classs of itss own The anti-lock braking system (ABS), standard across the Axor range, is a safety feature that prevents lock-up of the wheels during braking. It is based on a dual-circuit brake system. In addition, a select number of Axor trucks are fitted standard with the Turbobrake engine brake – a wear-free auxiliary brake, which increases the boost pressure and therefore increases the engine braking effect to as much as 300 kW. Air conditioning, additional side and rearview mirrors, seat adjustments and a more user-friendly cab are all features designed and built to make the journey of the truck driver safe and productive. The new Axor features two keys as standard in a new design, which function fully to open and close the doors, steering wheel and diesel tank locks. The Axor is a very good ‘all rounder’ and can be used in virtually any industry, from construction, building and waste management to timber, mining and professional haulage.
Warrantty War Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles offers an extended warranty on the Powertrain of three years or a specified maximum kilometre limit for trucks in the MercedesBenz Actros, Axor and Atego range. This warranty kilometre limit is valid up to a mileage of 450 000 km/3 years for Actros and Axor in all operations, with the exception of vehicles in start/stop operations, where the kilometre warranty limit is 250 000 km/3 years. These units are primarily tippers and concrete mixers used for heavy-duty construction, where mileage covered on a per annum basis is minimal. Warranty on the Atego Powertrain is three years with a driveline warranty of 250 000 maximum kilometre limit. With this warranty coverage on the Powertrain of the Actros, Axor and Atego range of trucks, Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles is reinforcing its confidence in the quality of the product by not only offering customers an extremely
Axor cabins come standard with ultimate comfort and functional features
The Euro 3 compliant, six-cylinder engines offer peak torque ranges from 1 100 Nm to 2 000 Nm
The optional Telligent automated gearshift is kind to the transmission components and offers economic benefits competitively priced product, but also providing the assurance of support from the Mercedes-Benz dealer network, parts and services throughout Southern Africa. Contact: Shirle Greig Tel: +27 (0)12 677 1904 Fax: +27 (0)12 677 1682 E-mail: shirle.greig@daimler.com
RéSource offers advertisers an ideal platform to ensure maximum exposure of their brand. Companies are afforded the opportunity of publishing a cover story and a cover picture to promote their products and services to an appropriate audience. Please call Christine Pretorius on +27 (0)11 465 6273 to secure your booking. The article does not represent the views of the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa, or those of the publisher. RéSource May 2011 – 7
Solid waste
Understanding the National Domestic Waste Collection Standards The backlog in waste service delivery in South Africa is a well-known fact, and there is increased pressure on municipalities to provide waste collection services to previously unserviced areas. By Dr Suzan Oelofse*
T
o redress past imbalances in waste collection service provision, it is imperative that acceptable, affordable and sustainable waste services be provided to all South Africans. Critical to the provisioning of services is an acknowledgement of the differentiated capacities of municipalities in providing the services. However, there needs to be some level of uniformity in the range of services provided so that citizens of this country do not experience different standards of service. Therefore, there is a need for municipalities to adopt similar services standards. Currently there are major discrepancies in the provisioning of waste services: in particular low-income and rural areas still receive very low levels of service, as opposed to high-income areas. In this regard the Department of Environmental Affairs, with the assistance of the CSIR, developed the National Domestic Waste Collection Standards, which contain a range of service standards appropriate to different contexts. The standards, which came into effect on
8 – RéSource May 2011
1 February 2011, also provide for the implementation of the waste management hierarchy that requires waste avoidance, reduction, reuse, recycling, recovery and waste treatment, and disposal as a last resort.
Development The development of the standards involved a detailed literature review of existing standards, telephonic interviews with 125 municipalities and two series of three workshops. In acknowledging the differences in municipal capacities and circumstances, the standards are not necessarily requiring changes in the current creative collection systems implemented in municipalities. Rather, they are requiring these systems to function well and deliver an acceptable standard of service to all households. The standards are applicable throughout the country and based on the principles of equity, the affordability and availability of resources within municipalities, clarity and ease with which the standards can be implemented, practicality and community
participation in the design of applicable and appropriate collection systems.
Service levels Varying levels of service between areas are set depending on the practicality and costefficiency of delivering the service: • on-site appropriate and regularly supervised disposal (applicable mainly to remote rural areas with low-density settlements and farms, supervised by a waste management officer) • community transfer to a central collection point (medium-density settlements) • organised transfer to central collection points and/or kerbside collection (highdensity settlements). • A mixture of b) and c) can also be used for medium to high-density settlements.
The standards The standards address aspects of waste collection and collection vehicles, drop-off centres for recyclables, health and safety, communication and awareness creation, including complaints handling and customer service standards for kerbside collection. All municipalities must encourage the separation of waste at the source of generation, while the implementation of source separation is an immediate requirement in all metropolitan and secondary cities. Municipalities are required to provide an enabling environment for households to recycle domestic waste. This may translate into well-kept drop-off centres, established in collaboration with industry partners, or kerbside collection of recyclables where appropriate. The guidelines included in the standards for the collection of recyclables acknowledge the importance of economies of scale to offset the transport costs. The use of existing infrastructure and collaboration with recycling companies is
Solid waste
also supported. Standards for receptacles revolve around fitness for purpose, the protection of human and environmental health and pollution prevention. Guidelines for the selection of receptacles are provided. The standard for collection frequency is based on the potential of waste volumes to cause a nuisance in terms of odours and volumes of waste being stored. Non-recyclable waste must be removed at least once a week depending on the size of the receptacle and the volume of waste generated. Recyclable waste, conversely, must be removed once every two weeks. Waste deposited at communal collection points must be collected within 24 hours. Collection vehicles that are the most appropriate for the specific task and geographical terrain must be used. Guidelines for the selection of collection vehicles are provided. Health and safety issues are addressed by, among others, prohibiting the use of collection vehicles for any other purpose while collecting and transporting waste. Windblown litter is another concern addressed by the introduction of a requirement for the use of
closed vehicles (covered to prevent windblown litter). Non-compatible vehicles must be phased out, but no time limit is prescribed. The health and safety of waste collection staff is addressed through personal protective equipment, the introduction of regular medical check-ups and ongoing training on health and safety issues.
Awareness Communication and general awarenessraising regarding waste is the assigned responsibility of the designated waste management officer. These include wasterelated issues, of which awareness needs to be created within households, handling and resolving waste service complaints within a set period and maintaining an efficient and effective register. The time frame for responding to complaints is set at 24 hours. The complainer must receive notification of how the complaint is addressed within this 24-hour period. Complaints by both households and waste collectors (including service providers and the municipality) are covered. It is made very clear that all waste-related
communication to household residents must be through the waste management officer. Waste collection staff may not enter into a debate or intimidate household residents and residents may not intimidate waste collection staff to collect waste that is not separated according to the guidelines or that was disposed of in contravention of any law. Customer service standards specific to kerbside collection is also addressed, i.e. collection on the same day every week, the return of receptacles to households, etc. Replacement of lost or stolen waste bins as well as vandalised bins is for the account of the household, whereas receptacles damaged by the service provider or municipality will be for the municipality. It is believed that the implementation of the standards will remove discrepancies in the provisioning of waste service, increase public-private partnerships in service delivery and enhance community participation in the design of domestic waste collection services. *Natural Resources and Environment Operating Unit research group leader: Waste and Society, CSIR RÊSource May 2011 – 9
Solid waste
THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS IN PROTECTED AREAS
Waste generation Escalating waste generation is mainly a result of the need for economic growth and aspirations for an improved standard of living. But a rising concern exists as to the efficiency of waste disposal methods in protected areas. By Yolandi Bezuidenhout*
P
rotected areas are characterised by efforts of conservation and preservation of various species of fauna and flora, together with ecosystem services, which are not necessarily restricted to the boundaries of these areas. Another characteristic of protected areas is tourism activities, so together with infrastructural aspects that support these activities, such as recreation facilities, roads infrastructure and water and sewerage systems, provision also needs to be made for solid waste disposal. Apart from the disproportionate escalation in the rate of waste generation owing to the need for economic growth and to accommodate aspirations for an improved standard of living, a rising concern exists as to how efficient waste disposal methods are in protected areas. The environmental effects of waste generation include potential contamination, despoilment and sterilisation of land and water, air pollution and odour, visual effects and the attraction on to the area of wildlife such as marabou stork, baboons, warthogs, rthogs, hyenas, helmeted guineafowl and others, with unfavourable urable and often fatal consequences. Inadequate waste management nagement inevitably also leads to a drastic change in animal behaviour, ehaviour,
10 – RéSource 10 RéS RéSour é o our urce u ce May 2011 20 011
such as a modification in forage and feeding behaviour, and ultimately in population dynamics. Protected areas in which the research study was based on for over four years include the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) category II and IV protected areas. Category II protected areas include typical national parks and equivalent reserves, while category IV protected areas include habitat and wildlife management areas (including private nature or game reserves).
Generation Waste generators at source typically include tourist camps with overnight visitors, bush camps, picnic sites or day visitor areas, on-site personnel villages and other sources, such as military bases, walking safari units and official office areas. Overnight visitors to typical category II protected areas contribute the most to the solid waste stream of these areas, with a generation rate of 0.81 kg per person per day (a total of more than 635 kg/d at larger tourist camps can be
Solid waste
Ash from incinerators in various protected areas (at on-site encountered) at an average volume of 95 kg/ m3 (uncompacted), disposal treatment sites) was collected and analysed according compared to the solid waste generation volume of restaurants at to the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure 172.4 kg/m3. Mixed waste, which includes touras well as the Australian Leaching ist, restaurant and personnel waste from Procedure, and then subsequently smaller camps in category II procompared with threshold tected areas, typically reflects concentration limits as set a volume of 137kg/m3 with out in the draft Waste a generation rate of more Classification and than 496 kg/d. Management Regulations Visitors to category of 2010. With current IV protected areas incineration practices and generate approximately types of incinerators used 116 kg of solid waste for treatment purposes in per day (typically at protected areas, elevated camps hosting 18 guests amounts of magnesium, per night) at 3.84 kg per sodium, phosphorus, lead, person per day, with a volume antimony, barium, cadmium, of 142 kg/m3. These camps in chromium, copper, dichloromethane upmarket private game reserves or and benzene were indicated from the analysis nature reserves place high emphasis on FIGURE 1 Solid waste generation from restaurant activities of bottom ash from incinerators. Through guest expectations and satisfaction.
Waste composition Solid waste composition from waste generated by overnight visitors to category II protected areas consists of high amounts of glass and food waste, with burnable, non-recyclable material, such as baby nappies, foil, polystyrene containers and other non-recyclable plastic containers being present to lesser extent. The breakdown of solid waste resulting from restaurant activities in category II protected areas is illustrated in figure 1. It is evident that the food component forms the bulk, at 59% of the total composition of the solid waste stream generated by restaurant facilities. Although the food component of solid waste generation in category IV protected areas forms the bulk, at 49% of the total composition of the waste stream, it is substantially less than category ll facilities.
Waste management system Solid waste is temporarily stored on site before collection and there are limited waste avoidance, waste minimisation and recycling initiatives. The collection and transportation of uncompacted solid waste in protected areas involves manual hand collection and transfer to central pick-up points, direct loading activities and transportation by tip trucks, trailer and tractor, bakkie and tractor and flatbed trucks. The choice of type of fleet utilised for the transportation of waste in protected areas is usually influenced by topography, the availability of funds, maintenance, availability and overall practicability. Solid waste is then either transported out of the protected area to a nearby landfill site or treated inside the protected area through trench disposal, landfilling or incineration.
shake flask tests and water analysis of bottom ash and water ponds at incinerator ash disposal facilities, elevated amounts of total dissolved solids, ammonia, chloride, potassium, sodium, bromide, iron, manganese, aluminium, calcium and strontium were shown to be present.
Recommendations The favourable practice would be to remove solid waste completely from protected areas. However, protected areas can and should be flagships for managing their own solid waste to achieve zero waste to landfill or disposal areas and avoid the externalisation of the environmental effects of their own processes and practices. Although the locations of protected areas can be remote, zero waste to landfill is possible and also includes managing waste and processes to reduce the volume and toxicity of waste materials, including the treatment of these. The implementation of waste avoidance and minimisation programmes is critical, as is that of waste separation at source for recycling programmes. Educational and training programmes are required internally among operational personnel and also at the tourism level. Alternative waste management practices, such as composting, energy recovery and the optimisation of incinerator practices, also need to be investigated, together with the incorporation of ecological engineering practices into the development of solutions, processes and practices. Contributing factors to air, soil and water contamination from incinerator practices are a result of inadequate incinerator control, the combustion of plastics and recyclable burnable material and the combustion of non-burnable material. Waste separation and recycling activities, together with optimising incinerator control and
RÊSource May 2011 – 11
12 Tungsten Road, Isando, Gauteng, South Africa • P.O.Box 746, Isando 1600, South Africa Tel:(011) 974-5660 • Fax: (011) 974-5143 • Email:ottosa@global.co.za
Solid waste
maintaining design temperatures, would immediately contribute to relieving environmental contamination resulting from treatment activities such as incineration. Over the medium term, better incineration technology should also be pursued and implemented to limit emissions from such installations. In protected areas, the complete waste management system from source generation to disposal, including on-site environmental conditions (soil, water and air), legal requirements, objectives and targets of protected areas, current infrastructure aspects, environmental monitoring requirements and stakeholder expectations should be included in a formalised waste management plan that is audited internally on a frequent basis. There is indeed a place for waste management in protected areas. If carried out adequately this contributes positively to the environment, complies to the duty of care principle, has
economic and financial benefits and confirms the positive effect of ecological engineering and its subsequent potential. It also confirms that responsible waste management and zero waste to landfill is in fact a possibility in some of the most challenging remote locations of South Africa, further strengthening the sustainability science concept.
Acknowledgements The author thanks Prof. Andre Geertsema, Leon Bredenhann, the Tshwane University of Technology and Evraz Highveld Steel and Vanadium Limited for their support during the completion of the research project. *Faculty of Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa
RÊSource May 2011 – 13
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