Municipal solid waste management in the city of Polokwane Municipality : assessment of the current status, problems and challenges

M.Sc. (Environmental Management)Abstract: Municipal solid waste management involves all the functions of direct waste generation, storage, collection, source separation, processing, transport, treatment, recovery and disposal to landfill in a manner that it will not be harmful to the environment. Management of municipal solid waste is a complex problem, mainly because of the constantly increasing amount of waste and its resultant financial implications. Municipalities are responsible for waste management in cities, and they are experiencing challenges in order to provide an efficient and effective waste management service. The aim of this study was to generate an overview of the current state of municipal solid waste management and challenges related to its management thereof in the City of Polokwane Municipality. Ninety questionnaires were administered randomly to selected residential areas of Flora Park, Nirvana and the Seshego Township where in each residential area 30 questionnaires were administered. Interviews were also conducted with key municipal official regarding their role, waste management practices as well as the waste minimisation initiatives in the municipality. The findings of the study revealed that solid waste management in the City of Polokwane Municipality only involves collection from households, and transportation of waste to the landfill for disposal. This simply means that source separation, recovery, and re-use are not part of the management system. This situation is the result of challenges that the municipality is facing which include insufficient funding, ineffective implementation of legislation and policies coupled with lack of cooperation with the community, which result in illegal dumping. The study concluded that there is much to be done in relation to proper waste management in the City of Polokwane because implementation of the municipal solid waste management is inadequate. It was therefore recommended that the municipality should work in collaboration with business and the community in order to address the challenges they are facing