Waste management practices at the University of Stellenbosch : an environmental management perspective

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: As the world enters a new millennium, global awareness of environmental issues havereached new heights. No longer is the environment seen as an all-absorbing and allprovidingresource. Rather, there exists a greater awareness that without activemanagement, the inherent risks and hazards - posed by both the natural environmentand humankind's interaction with this environment - will be realised. In order toensure a sustainable co-existence, humanity's interaction with the surrounding.environment must be managed in a responsible manner. In this regard, all aspects ofthis interaction require attention. Various frameworks, manifested in a variety offorms, have been proposed.One of the most basic aspects of species existence is the generation of waste. Humanexistence is no different. However, as a result of the variety of activities thatcharacterise humans' existence on Earth, the generation of waste represents the mosttangible and probably the most threatening aspect of this interaction. This studyfocuses on waste management from an environmental perspective at a specificinstitution, namely the University of Stellenbosch.In terms of its findings, the study has established the applicability of variousregulatory and institutional frameworks within which the University operate. Theseframeworks address the role of the University both in terms of waste management andsustainable development. It has established the types of waste generated, thegenerating processes, the storage, and removal and disposal characteristics of wastemanagement at the University. Waste management at the University is determined tobe complex and fragmented, the result of a variety of activities occurring. It hasestablished that limited waste minimisation and reduction activities occur, eventhough the University had identified effective and efficient resource use as a strategicpriority. Although attempts at improving waste management are admittedly underway,the study has found that adopting an environmental management system approach towaste management will enable the University to meet pending legislative andinstitutional environmental commitments.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University