Browsing by Author "Grobler, Lizette"

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
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    A disposable diaper collection project in Langa, Cape Town, South Africa: a pilot study
    (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2024) Schenck, Catherina; Grobler, Lizette; Niyobuhungiro, Rissa; Kimani, Alexander
    In developing countries, there is currently no established waste management plan that includes resource recovery from used disposable diapers (DDs) apart from incineration and landfilling. In low-income areas with limited storage space, the complex composition and odour of used DDs make it impossible to manage properly if not supported by effective waste management systems. In the absence of effective waste management, DDs are dumped in open spaces, burned or buried. These actions pose threats to the safety and health of humans, animals and the environment. Separation and collection of DDs are critical preliminary steps to landfilling, recycling or beneficiation. In this article, we describe a case study of two pilot collection projects in Langa township in Cape Town, South Africa, to determine whether and how a source-separated collection system can work in low-income, resource-constrained areas. The lessons learned highlighted the following: The eagerness of parents to participate for the benefit of their own and their children’s health; the complementarity of the two pilot collection models to serve the needs of the community; the important role non-government organisations play in the implementation of waste management projects; the significance of the possible job creation opportunities and the unintended benefits of enhancing social cohesion. The financial sustainability of these projects needs further exploration.
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    Definitions matter: Including the socio-economic dimension as a critical component of SADC circular economy definitions
    (Academy of Science of South Africa, 2022) Grobler, Lizette; Schenck, Catherina; Blaauw, Derick
    Globally, scholars agree that there is a lack of clarity on the notion of the circular economy (CE) and a lack of consensus on a foundational definition of the term. Some definitions place greater emphasis on the socio-economic dimension of the CE than others. In Africa, notions of the CE are still evolving. This paper highlights the salient aspects of texts defining or informing the CE in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). In Africa, the transition to circularity is motivated by the need to stimulate job creation and income generation. At the same time, concern over mounting environmental impacts is increasing. Economic and population growth on the continent, continued urbanisation, and the resulting proliferation of municipal waste contribute to these economic, social and environmental challenges.
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    Double whammy wicked: street vendors and littering in Mankweng township and Paarl, South Africa—towards people‑centred urban governance
    (Urban forum, 2022) Schenck, Catherina; Grobler, Lizette; Viljoen, Kotie; Blaauw, Derick; Letsoalo, Josephine
    The article probes the complexity of dealing with two interrelated wicked prob lems, namely informal, self-employed street vendors, and their experiences of lit tering. This paper describes the themes that emerged from 92 qualitative interviews to determine the perceptions of street vendors regarding reasons for littering on the streets where they operate as well as their experiences of working in these littered environments. By drawing on the themes emerging from semi-structured inter views with vendors, we suggest how stakeholders could engage with the concerns = around street vending and littering by means of the use of adaptive management or co-management, engaging, and integrating diverse perspectives, the facilitation of self-organisation, and establishing safe boundaries to evade system thresholds. In this way, complexity-based strategies can promote people-centred urban governance that empowers and includes citizens in attempts to manage the wicked problems of growing cities inclusively
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    ’n Verkenning van aardsistemiese kwesbaarheid binne die konteks van afvalstortingsterreine in die Antroposeen
    (Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns, 2020) Grobler, Lizette; Schenck, Rinie;
    The Anthropocene refers to a geological epoch dominated by humans. Within this epoch atmospheric, geological, hydrological, biospheric and other earth systemic processes change due to human activity and can no longer only be ascribed to nature. The far-reaching effects of human activity lead to vulnerability of the earth system. One of the consequences of human activity that has a profound impact in the Anthropocene and that acts as a catalyst of vulnerability, is waste
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    Reasons for littering: Social constructions from lower income communities in South Africa
    (Academy of Science of South Africa, 2022) Schenck, Catherina; Grobler, Lizette; Blaauw, Derick
    Littering has been defined as the careless and improper disposal of small amounts of waste that results in unwanted and unnatural elements remaining in the environment. People tend to blame external factors for their own littering. A person seldom refers to themselves as being the litterer but will rather place the blame on insufficient infrastructure, such as lack of bins, or on other persons. When referring to other people, they identify problematic behaviour and personal traits such as ignorance, naivety, need for convenience, laziness and inattentiveness as causes of littering. This study addressed the gap in the literature on the socially constructed perceptions people hold about reasons for littering in the South African context, as subjectively perceived reasons for littering may correspond with actual causes and could point towards options for tackling the littering problem. Five lower socio-economic areas in South Africa – particularly those that experience major infrastructural challenges – were included in the study. Qualitative semistructured interviews were held with 322 residents from the respective areas.
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    Researching a Deposit Return System for South Africa
    (University of the Western Cape, 2024) Grant, Andy; Elliott, Laurence; Ainger, Nicola; Schenck, Catherina; Nell, Charlotte; Flatman, Tom; Grobler, Lizette; Van Hille, Rob; Blaauw, Derick; Edwards, Bonte; Chandewar, Vedashree; Kaminska, Magdalena; Loots, Olivia
    The University of the Western Cape (UWC) in association with Eunomia Research & Consulting Ltd. (Eunomia) is pleased to announce the findings of a study on the feasibility, cost, and impact of a proposed mandatory single-use beverage Deposit Return System (DRS) for South Africa. The study was co-funded by the Norwegian Embassy and the Alliance to End Plastic Waste (Alliance). The report provides a tailored DRS for single-use beverage packaging designed to meet the needs of South Africa. The report indicates that under such a system, collection rates for beverage containers can increase significantly, particularly for plastic bottles and glass bottles. A deposit level of ZAR 1 could achieve collection rates as high as 90% – higher than South Africa’s existing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) targets. An important aspect of this study has been on-the-ground research into key aspects that define the South African context. This involved engaging with the informal economy through waste reclaimer interviews and workshops, as well as surveying Buy Back Centres (BBCs) – which purchase recyclable materials from waste reclaimers and other suppliers – and informal retailers and HORECA establishments. The research undertaken for this study also included a market overview consisting of field surveys and data analysis, and a literature review of South African legislation and DRS/EPR legislation from nations in Africa and beyond. In terms of environmental impact, the DRS is projected to deliver a substantial net reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emission, ranging from 119 to 294 thousand tonnes CO2e per year. These reductions are expected on both the low and high placed-on-the-market (PoM) baselines and across two return route scenarios.
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    A three-pronged approach to waste composition determination
    (Elsevier, 2022-02-01) Nell, Charlotte; Schenck, Catherina; Blaauw, Derick; Grobler, Lizette; Viljoen, Kotie
    Understanding solid waste composition has frequently been cited as one of the most valuable resources to those responsible for the proper management of solid waste. The unique contribution of this article lies in the fact that a waste characterisation study, conducted in a remote rural town in South Africa, was combined with an illegal dumping contents mapping and a household survey. This enabled researchers to gain a more thorough understanding of household waste management practices and challenges in this community, bridging the knowledge gap that is created when illegal dumping and household perceptions are omitted from waste characterisation studies in study areas where illegal dumping is an ongoing concern. The study therefore contributes to understanding the waste behaviour of households within the larger context of the town's waste management practices. Results indicate that, in order for municipalities to fully understand how to manage their waste, the contents of illegal dumping, where present, and household surveys should also be included in waste characterisation assessments.