SOLID-WASTE COLLECTION SYSTEMS IN DEVELOPING URBAN AREAS OF SOUTH-AFRICA - AN OVERVIEW AND CASE-STUDY

Experience with appropriate collection systems for urban and peri-urba n areas of developing countries is accumulating. Nonetheless, the prim ary lesson learned from studying such systems is that collection syste ms must be designed to accommodate the particular conditions of the co mmunity. This paper reflects on international experience with such col lection systems and examines their relevance to South Africa. A case s tudy is presented of designing a solid waste collection system for the Winterveld, Bophuthatswana, including a community survey, a waste com position study, and exploration of resource recovery options. Detailed data from the case study show that, even within one country, solid wa ste collection systems are not automatically transferable from one com munity to another. Particular recommendations for the South African si tuation are given. (C) 1997 ISWA.