Title: Examining environmental health risks of indiscriminate solid waste disposal in Kosovo's informal settlement, Cape Town

Authors: Yamkela Jakeni; Thabang Maphanga; Benett Siyabonga Madonsela; Karabo Concelia Malakane

Addresses: Department of Environmental and Occupational Studies, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Corner of Hanover, and Tennant Street, Zonnebloem, Cape Town, RSA, South Africa ' Department of Environmental and Occupational Studies, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Corner of Hanover, and Tennant Street, Zonnebloem, Cape Town, RSA, South Africa ' Department of Environmental and Occupational Studies, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Corner of Hanover, and Tennant Street, Zonnebloem, Cape Town, RSA, South Africa ' Department of Biodiversity, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga 0727, South Africa

Abstract: The indiscriminate disposal of solid waste is detrimental to the environment and health. Given that, whilst the environmental health risks of indiscriminate solid waste disposal are well documented, the contributing factors are mostly overlooked especially within the informal settlement found in metropolitan cities. The study sought to examine factors associated with indiscriminate solid waste disposal that pose environmental health risks in Kosovo's informal settlement, Cape Town. The current study used qualitative and quantitative research tools in the form of questionnaires and interviews. Collected data were analysed using the IBM SPSS Statistics 28.0 software. The study discovered that 93.85% of households have no access to disposal bins. The results show that 75.4% claim that the alternative municipal waste container is insufficient as it gets locked on weekends. This is an indication that there is not enough information provided by the municipality responsible for Kosovo's informal settlement about solid waste management.

Keywords: indiscriminate disposal; informal settlement; illegal dumping; waste management; waste collection.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2025.146870

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2025 Vol.37 No.3, pp.363 - 379

Received: 09 Jan 2023
Accepted: 18 Jun 2023
Published online: 24 Jun 2025 *

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