Refuse collection management practices in the Buffalo City Municipality

• Main Author: Damane, Mcebisi
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University 2012
• Subjects: Refuse collection > South Africa > Eastern Cape > Management; Refuse and refuse disposal > South Africa > Eastern Cape > Management; Refuse collection vehicles > South Africa
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013703

The ineffective and inefficient management and collection of municipal solid waste is a significant problem in cities of many developing countries. South Africa as a developing country is also faced with the same problem. Buffalo City Municipality with its fast growing urban population is not immune from the problem. Due to continuing population growth, urbanisation, industrialisation and higher consumption levels which started after the demise of the previous legislations which stifled the advancement of black communities, the generation and management of municipal solid waste in developing countries is likely to worsen. The uncollected waste and rampant littering generates pollution and poses risks to human health and the environment. Regulations guiding the treatment and the disposal of waste are not followed to the letter by authorities. There are no measures in place to ensure that the environment is sustained, and even if there are they are not fully implemented. This affects municipalities negatively in various aspects. Tourism that is known to boost ailing and weak local economies is affected. Properties are devaluated and potential developers turn their backs on municipalities that are not well managed. It is the low-income communities that suffer the brunt of the inefficiency and poor service delivery. This status quo is not acceptable eighteen years after the attainment of democracy and the adoption of the Constitution in South Africa. This study analyses the challenges and factors that cause Buffalo City Municipality (BCM) not to deliver services efficiently and successfully in respect of waste management. It also attempts to check alternatives and solutions as gathered from other cities in a similar predicament. Municipalities are encouraged to adopt Local Economic Development (LED) principles and establish public- public partnerships and private- public partnerships thereby utilizing communities in refuse collection and waste management.