Towards a waste information-based platform for waste recycling and energy generation − North West province, South Africa

PhD (Chemistry), North-West University, Mafikeng Campus This study was conducted to assess the status of waste information on municipal solid waste management with particular interest in waste recycling and waste-to-energy (WtE) generation projects. The North West province of South Africa was selected as a study area because it is experiencing rapid development, population growth, lacks proper waste management strategies and lacks information on generated waste. On the other hand, existing waste management in North West province is rather poor, with no information on separation of waste, no known treatments of waste apart from the popular disposal of waste in controlled and uncontrolled open landfills where waste is burnt for volume reduction. The study used a quantitative research design built around field observations and measurement of elements of the waste chain to generate primary data sets. The information was supplemented by the use of secondary data sets of documents, records on waste information and waste management and informal consultations with officials responsible for the individual waste directorates at local municipalities. Multiple correlation and linear regression techniques were used to analyse primary and secondary data sets. The results showed that it is a challenge for North West province to have waste information that meets the requirements of the South African waste information system (SAWIS) on waste data collection and submission. The results revealed that information along the waste chain is not being collected. It also shows lack of information on other waste treatment strategies apart from landfilling in the province. There is no adequate information on WtE generation and recycling, but there is potential for stand-alone WtE generation and waste recycling in the province. Weaknesses are noted in the current waste information collection system. These include lack of proper tools for information collection, processing and dissemination, lack of compliance with the national waste information regulators by role players, lack of proper handling of waste information during collection and processing and lack of collection of data or information from point of waste generation through to treatment or disposal. The results were then deployed in the design of an interactive waste information platform (WIP) that overrides current constraints. The contribution of the WIP is that it allows for the inclusion of measures originally not covered within exiting municipal tools, representing a break-through, the first of its kind in South Africa. The WIP introduces a methodological innovation in data collection, allows for data optimization, has an impact on decision structures and is compatible with the existing SAWIS. Doctoral