Municipal solid waste management practices in Thabo Mofutsanyana district, eastern Free State

Abstract

Improper solid waste management is a global problem, and it is evident that in developing countries municipalities are struggling to manage waste effectively. The availability of illegal dumping sites and windblown litter in communities is overwhelming. Poor adherence to waste collection schedules by the waste management directorate has left residents with no choice but to resort to open dumping. The study focused on solid waste management practices and the negative impacts on the environment due to poor waste management in the Thabo Mofutsanyana District (TMD). The objectives of the study were to assess the provision of waste management services and to determine residents’ level of satisfaction and their practices in separation of waste at source. Data were collected in five towns in the TMD and two sets of questionnaires were provided to both residents and employees working in the solid waste management division. A total of 186 questionnaires were completed, 100 by residents and 86 by employees. The results indicated that 81% of residents did not receive waste containers from the municipality. The municipalities do not adhere to the waste collection schedules (WCS), and there is no communication when the waste will not be collected. The residents indicated that adherence to the waste collection schedule is only 10% and waste can remain uncollected for weeks, and the most practiced waste collection method is kerbside collection. The study indicated that the solid waste management systems under TMDM are not satisfactory. There is a need for the residents to be included in the planning of waste management activities and more resources should be allocated to the waste management directorate to remedy the current situation.