Traditional Brick Making, Environmental and Socio-Economic Impacts: A Case Study of Vhembe District, South Africa

Tolulope E. Aniyikaiye, Joshua N. Edokpayi, John O. Odiyo and Stuart J. Piketh
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Tolulope E. Aniyikaiye: Department of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
Joshua N. Edokpayi: Department of Earth Sciences, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
John O. Odiyo: Office of The DVC Research Innovation Commercialisation and Internationalisation (RICI), Vaal University of Technology, Vanderbijlpark 1901, South Africa
Stuart J. Piketh: Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 19, 1-24

Abstract: The brick making industry, despite its contribution to environmental pollution, plays a major role in the economic growth of South Africa, with the traditional technology accounting for a significant proportion of the total clay brick production. The aim of this study is to undertake a comprehensive description of the production phases of the traditional brick making sector in Vhembe district and how this contributes to air pollution. The study comprised a series of interviews and questionnaires of key role players from two small villages, Manini and Tshilungoma in the Vhembe district. In-situ observations of the production methods and phases were also undertaken between June and December 2019. The brick making production phases used in Vhembe district are excavation, preparation, moulding, drying and firing. An average estimate of 34,683 bricks is fired monthly per brick kiln in Vhembe district. Emissions from brick making organisations had resulted into several public health and environmental risks. To reduce environmental degradation, the incorporation of industrial and environmental wastes into brick making and the gradual transition to environmentally friendly technology such as Vertical Shaft brick kiln (VSBK) should be embraced. Thus, traditional brick making implemented with appropriate sustainable environmental technology has the potential to improve the socio-economic status of the brick makers.

Keywords: atmospheric emissions; environmental impacts; production phases; socio-economic impacts; traditional brick making; Vhembe district; VSBK (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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