M U N I C I PA L F O C U S
Despite modern waste management solutions, South Africa’s most reliable waste management option is still landfilling. By Logan Moodley*
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urrent statistics highlight that South Africans generate some 108 million tonnes of waste yearly, with 90% of it being disposed at at landfill sites – which are fast approaching capacity. Despite the need for modern waste management solutions, landfill sites cannot totally be eliminated from our waste management system, as they are still a required part of an integrated waste system to manage wastes that cannot be feasibly treated. However, running out of landfill airspace is reality for many municipalities in South Africa, including the eThekwini Municipal Area. Existing landfill sites in eThekwini Municipality are under extreme airspace capacity constraints and setting up new landfills is becoming more difficult. Cities are viewed as economic hubs leading to radical growth yet compounded by numerous challenges such as pover ty, unemployment and competing interests in the provision of equitable basic ser vices. With such pressures comes an increase in waste
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generation, placing added strain on existing waste management systems to become resilient in moving towards the new order of waste solutions. The city generates approximately 1.4 million tonnes of general waste per year, which is ser viced across four general landfills. The Cleansing and Solid Waste (DSW) unit, which is accountable for the waste management within the eThekwini Metropolitan area, is renowned for its innovative approach to landfill management. However, with the changing waste landscape, the DSW has had to investigate alternative and innovative solutions to extend the useful lives of its waste facilities. It found, through feasibility studies, that the most practical solution would be to secure airspace in the shor t term and then gradually integrate waste diversion and beneficiation into day-to-day waste management strategies.
Overview of eThekwini landfill sites Durban currently has four general landfill sites, namely Bisasar Road landfill site, Mariannhill landfill conser vancy site, Buffelsdraai landfill conser vancy site and Lovu landfill site. Bisasar Road landfill site • It opened in May 1980 and ser ves mainly the central areas of the city. • The site has a design airspace capacity of some 25 million m3 and is reaching imminent closure with approximately only 300 000 m3 airspace available. • I t is envisaged that the site can still be maximised by
