A Disposable Diaper Collection Project in Langa, Cape Town, South Africa: A Pilot Study.

In developing countries, there is currently no established waste management plan that includes resource recovery from used disposable diapers (DDs) apart from incineration and landfilling. In low-income areas with limited storage space, the complex composition and odour of used DDs make it impossible to manage properly if not supported by effective waste management systems. In the absence of effective waste management, DDs are dumped in open spaces, burned or buried.

Nutritional Status, Dietary Intake and Dietary Diversity of Landfill Waste Pickers.

The purpose of this study was to investigate and describe the nutritional status, dietary intake and dietary diversity of waste pickers in South Africa, a socioeconomically vulnerable group who makes a significant contribution to planetary health through salvaging recyclable material from dumpsites. Participants were weighed and measured to calculate body mass index (BMI). Dietary intake was recorded using a standardised multipass 24 h recall.

A three-pronged approach to waste composition determination.

Understanding solid waste composition has frequently been cited as one of the most valuable resources to those responsible for the proper management of solid waste. The unique contribution of this article lies in the fact that a waste characterisation study, conducted in a remote rural town in South Africa, was combined with an illegal dumping contents mapping and a household survey. This enabled researchers to gain a more thorough understanding of household waste management practices and challenges in this community, bridging the knowledge gap that is created when illegal dumping and household perceptions are omitted from waste characterisation studies in study areas where illegal dumping is an ongoing concern.

The dynamics of indiscriminate/ illegal dumping of waste in Fisantekraal, Cape Town, South Africa.

Indiscriminate dumping may be considered a 'wicked problem', as it is regarded as a complex, intractable, open-ended problem and it includes rights-based and justice issues. An understanding of the dynamics of indiscriminate dumping may assist with improving the management of indiscriminate dumping. The results show that indiscriminate dumping in Fisantekraal is a serious threat.

Exploring the Potential Health Risks Faced by Waste Pickers on Landfills in South Africa: A Socio-Ecological Perspective.

Landfill and street waste pickers in South Africa are responsible for collecting substantial volumes of recyclable material, saving municipalities millions and contributing to a generally healthier and cleaner environment. Yet waste pickers continue to operate on the fringes of the economy and are exposed to many risks, particularly health risks which have a direct impact on the sustainability of their livelihoods. This article, using a mixed-methods approach, explores the health risks to which waste pickers working on nine different landfills in the country are exposed.