Effects of waste management practices on manufacturing enterprises in the Ilembe municipal district in South Africa

Everlane Reddy and Robert Walter Dumisani Zondo
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Everlane Reddy: Durban University of Technology
Robert Walter Dumisani Zondo: Durban University of Technology

International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), 2025, vol. 14, issue 7, 26-42

Abstract: Manufacturing firms significantly contribute to worldwide environmental deterioration by generating substantial waste, emitting greenhouse gases, contaminating water, and depleting natural resources. The situation in South Africa is particularly alarming, as just a minimal percentage of trash is effectively managed. Many municipal landfills are overwhelmed, and illicit dumping is prevalent. The industrial industry's persistent ecological imprint, along with the swift depletion of natural resources, highlights an urgent necessity for sustainable waste management strategies that can reduce environmental damage and improve corporate accountability. While existing literature recognises the environmental consequences of manufacturing and outlines general waste management strategies, there is a significant deficiency in empirical research assessing the efficacy of specific waste disposal methods, especially within the South African manufacturing sector. This study aims to objectively evaluate the efficacy of three waste management techniques inside manufacturing firms in the iLembe Municipal District of South Africa. A total of 262 firms were polled; however, only 191 responses were obtained, of which 184 were considered valid for data analysis. Descriptive statistics were utilised to summarise the central tendency and dispersion of the data, encompassing means, standard deviations, and percentages. Correlation analysis was conducted to evaluate the strength and direction of linear relationships between continuous variables, specifically to assess the impact of waste re-use practices, examine the appropriateness of in-house recycling practices, and determine the efficacy of incineration as effective waste disposal methods. The findings indicate that in-house recycling, waste reuse, and incineration are extensively employed in the district, with chemical waste being the most predominant. This study provides empirical evidence of the beneficial impact of efficient waste management on organisational performance, hence facilitating more sustainable and strategic decision-making in the industrial industry. Key Words: Environment; Manufacturing Enterprises; Waste Management; Recycling; Re-use

Date: 2025
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