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Household Waste Management Practices and Challenges in a Rural Remote Town in the Hantam Municipality in the Northern Cape, South Africa

Jacoba Viljoen, Catherina J. Schenck, Liza Volschenk, Phillip F. Blaauw and Lizette Grobler
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Catherina J. Schenck: DSI/NRF/CSIR Chair in Waste and Society, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town 7535, South Africa
Liza Volschenk: School of Economics and Econometrics, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2092, South Africa
Phillip F. Blaauw: School of Economic Sciences, Potchefstroom Campus, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
Lizette Grobler: DSI/NRF/CSIR Chair in Waste and Society, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town 7535, South Africa

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 11, 1-24

Abstract: Waste management in rural areas poses a major challenge to local governments in developing countries. Municipalities face limited budgets and obstacles with the collection of waste, as well as a lack of proper equipment, infrastructure, and treatment centres. These obstacles lead to further problems, such as littering and illegal dumping, contributing to the knowledge base regarding remote and rural towns in South Africa. This study aims to assess the waste management practices and challenges of households in a Municipality in the Northern Cape, South Africa. The study investigates the household waste management practices, identifies the challenges experienced by households regarding their waste management, and explores their willingness to participate in a separation-at-source program. A cross-sectional research design was used along with a mixed methods research methodology. A sample of 160 interviews was completed over the period 16 to 20 September 2019. Descriptive statistics and a thematic analysis were used in the data analysis. The results indicate that municipalities, and households, will have to collaboratively search for solutions towards effective waste management in rural areas. Financial constraints also necessitate the investigation of alternative ways of managing household waste through cooperation with surrounding towns.

Keywords: household waste management; municipality; remote; rural; waste separation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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