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Title: The impact of fostering public participation in improving waste quality in a comprehensive solid waste management system

Authors: Edmore Shamu; Thabang Maphanga; Boredi S. Chidi; Patience Mbola; Babalwa Gqomfa; Xolisiwe Sinalo Grangxabe; Karabo Concelia Malakane; Benett Siyabonga Madonsela; Terry Takalani Phungela

Addresses: Ecological Biotechnology Research Group, Department of Environmental and Occupational Studies, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Corner of Hanover and Tennant Street, Zonnebloem, Cape Town, South Africa ' Ecological Biotechnology Research Group, Department of Environmental and Occupational Studies, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Corner of Hanover and Tennant Street, Zonnebloem, Cape Town, South Africa ' Ecological Biotechnology Research Group, Department of Biotechnology and Consumer Science, Faculty of Applied Science, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Corner of Hanover and Tennant Street, Zonnebloem, Cape Town, South Africa ' Ecological Biotechnology Research Group, Department of Environmental and Occupational Studies, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Corner of Hanover and Tennant Street, Zonnebloem, Cape Town, South Africa ' Ecological Biotechnology Research Group, Department of Environmental and Occupational Studies, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Corner of Hanover and Tennant Street, Zonnebloem, Cape Town, South Africa ' Ecological Biotechnology Research Group, Department of Environmental and Occupational Studies, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Corner of Hanover and Tennant Street, Zonnebloem, Cape Town, South Africa ' Department of Biodiversity, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga, 0727, South Africa ' Ecological Biotechnology Research Group, Department of Environmental and Occupational Studies, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Corner of Hanover and Tennant Street, Zonnebloem, Cape Town, South Africa ' Ecological Biotechnology Research Group, Department of Environmental and Occupational Studies, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Corner of Hanover and Tennant Street, Zonnebloem, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Water and Sanitation, 35 Brown Street, Mbombela, RSA, South Africa

Abstract: A variety of factors, such as efficient waste management techniques, community awareness and attitudes, laws that promote community involvement, and the active involvement of important stakeholders such as local governments and formal and informal partners, all contribute to the facilitation of community engagement in solid waste management. The benefits and active involvement of communities such as Atlantis in South Africa in decisions regarding solid-waste management were explored from this perspective. It has been found that community involvement can occur at different stages and levels of intensity throughout the project lifecycle, with the aim of strengthening community members' ability to sustain project services once the facilitating organisation concludes its operations. Profitable community initiatives include residential waste segregation prior to municipal waste collection, recyclable marketing, and community decomposition programs. However, community participation can be crucial for addressing the complexities of sustainable solid waste management and the unique characteristics of indigenous low-income suburbs, such as Atlantis in South Africa.

Keywords: community participation; illegal dumping; economy; South Africa; environmental management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGENVI.2025.146568

International Journal of Global Environmental Issues, 2025 Vol.24 No.5, pp.1 - 16

Received: 02 May 2024
Accepted: 22 Sep 2024
Published online: 04 Jun 2025 *