Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Process Engineering

International course of study: Environmental and Resource Management

Motivational strategies towards peoples participation in waste

management: A case study of Eenhana Town, Ohangwena
Region

by
Epfania Lepaleni
from Namibia
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Science
Degree in Environmental and Resource Management

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Ing. Gnter Busch

Dr.-Ing. Marko Burkhardt
Chair of Waste Management, BTU Cottbus, Germany

Submitted: 14 August 2013

Fakultt fr Umweltwissenschaften und Verfahrenstechnik

Internationaler Studiengang fr Umwelt-und Ressourcen-Management

Motivationsstrategien zur Beteiligung der Menschen in der

Abfallwirtschaft: Eine Fallstudie in der Stadt Eenhana,
Ohangwena Region, Namibia

vorgelegt von
Epfania Lepaleni
Aus Namibia

Master Thesis eingereicht als Teilleistung zur Erreichung des akademischen Grades
Master of Science in Environmental and Resource Management

Gutachter: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Gnter Busch

Dr.-Ing. Marko Burkhardt
Lehrstuhl Abfallwirtschaft der BTU Cottbus, Deutschland

vorgelegt: 14 August 2013

Declaration
I hereby declare that this thesis is the result of my own original research work carried
out at the Brandenburg University of Technology (BTU) Cottbus, Germany; within the
framework of the Master Programme in Environmental and Resource Management;
Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Process Engineering, Chair of Waste
Management.
I admit that the material contained herein has never been submitted either in whole or in
part for a degree at this or any other institution. All references to other scientific work or
sources are duly cited and acknowledged in this research.

Cottbus, 14 August 2013

Epfania Lepaleni
BSc, University of Namibia (UNAM)
Matriculation Number: 3058864

ii

Acknowledgement
Many thanks to Professor Gnter Busch and Doctor Marko Burkhardt for accepting to supervise this
thesis, for their comments and recommendations. I further extent my sincere gratitude to the following
Eenhana Town Council officials:
Mr Valde Ndevashiya (Chief Executive Officer) for permitting to do this research in Eenhana and assisting
with the necessary arrangements. Thanks to Mrs Martha Asser, Mr Thomas Uushona, Mr Paulus
Shilongo and Moses Shinana for their cooperation and overall support rendered throughout my field
research. Great thanks are due to Mr Ndawedwa Mwandingi for not hesitating to share his working table
during my stay at no official request. All other Eenhana Town Council staff members are thanked for the
entire good working atmosphere. The greetings, jokes and laughter shared kept me going and made my
stay a happy and success one.
My heartfelt appreciation to Honorable Councilor Mrs Olivier Hanghuwo for her dedication, motivation and
making our workshops participatory. Thanks to all OB Davids community members for devoting time to
the workshops, for carrying out the experiment and their cooperation throughout.
I further extent my appreciation to the very motivated and enthusiastic committee that freely volunteered
to assist with the experiment implementation and carrying out weekly monitoring namely: Junias David,
Jenifer Hanghuwo, Rebecca Nakanduungile, Simon Jackson, Titus H. Kauna and Mirjam Ruben. I truly
could not have made it alone, your time and effort are highly appreciated.
Miss Aina Shikongo is sincerely thanked for her support and availability even after hours for minutes
taking. Mr and Mrs Erasmus Ruben should be thanked for they patiently accommodated me during my
stay in Eenhana.
Special thanks to the German Academic Exchange Service-Science Partnerships for the Assessment of
Complex Earth System Processes (DAADSPACES) program for making financial provision towards my
study program and for enabling me to do this research in Namibia. The Desert Research Foundation of
Namibia (DRFN) is appreciated for their advice and invaluable comments.
I remain thankful to Dr Raili Hasheela, Dr Patrik Klintenberg, Miss Vanessa Stibitz and Mr Sem Sheyavali
for devoting their time to go through my work. Their valuable comments and advice contributed
significantly to the success of this thesis. My heartfelt appreciation finally goes to my caring, supporting
and loving family and then to all friends and everyone who have equally and positively contributed to this
thesis. Your prayers and words of courage kept me strong throughout. Thank you everyone. All what you
have done to me, do it to all others. Thanks to God and blessings from the Lord.
If you listen to advice and are willing to learn, one day you will be wise. Proverbs 19:20.

iii

Dedication
I dedicate this thesis to all upcoming scientists in the field of Environmental
Management and to Lepalenis family. Never give up or undermine your capabilities.

iv

Abstract
With increasing population growth and development, Eenhana as one of the fastest growing town in
Namibia is soon to face waste collection and disposal challenges if no improvement is made. Proper
waste management reduces environmental concerns, protects and maintains the quality of life, save
resources, improves services and promotes socio-economic development. Beside technical development,
community participation plays a role in ensuring effective local waste management systems. However
motivational measures to make people participate need to be identified and intensified. Community
participation contributes to the development of best practices, formulates effective waste management
policies and plans and improves peoples livelihood. Therefore, the thesis aimed to determine the present
waste management state in Eenhana Town, identify the existing challenges and suggest possible
mitigation measures, and mainly find and discuss motivational strategies to make people participate in
waste management. Methods employed include interviews, community workshops, field experiment,
observations and informal chats.
Results indicate that Eenhana Town has put in place various waste management measures such as the
provision of waste bins, waste collection and disposal, cleaning campaigns and drafted the waste
management policy. However several challenges hinder the efficiency of the town e.g. lack of knowledge
and awareness, limited staff members, limited equipment, inadequate financial resources, littering,
dumpsite vandalism and poor community participation. The community is willing to participate and
cooperate in ensuring proper waste management provided necessary materials are available and
relevant information is provided. Measures to make people participate in waste management include:
providing access to information, intensifying awareness raising and capacity building programs, provision
of incentives, supply enough equipment, job creation, assigning tasks to individuals, organizing
competition campaigns, engage all public members, establish and maintain good cooperation. It is worth
noting however that appropriate management requires an integrated and collaborative approach. This is
achieved if the community is sensitized and motivated to change behaviors and way of thinking towards
waste; to consider waste as a resource and to understand it is their responsibility too to minimize waste
problems and avoid environmental deterioration.

Key words: Waste Management, Eenhana Town, Ohangwena Region, Challenges, Community
Participation, Motivational Measure

Table of contents
Declaration ................................................................................................................................................... ii
Acknowledgement ..................................................................................................................................... iii
Dedication ................................................................................................................................................... iv
Abstract ........................................................................................................................................................ v
List of figures ........................................................................................................................................... viii
List of tables ............................................................................................................................................... ix
List of acronyms ......................................................................................................................................... x
Chapter 1: Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 1
1.1 Background information ...................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Problem statement .............................................................................................................................. 3
1.3 Main research question ....................................................................................................................... 4
1.4 Goal ..................................................................................................................................................... 4
1.5 Objectives of the study ........................................................................................................................ 4
1.6 Research questions ............................................................................................................................ 5
1.7 Significance of the study ..................................................................................................................... 5
Chapter 2: Methodology and study area .................................................................................................. 7
2.1 Study area ........................................................................................................................................... 7
2.2 Methodology ........................................................................................................................................ 9
2.2.1 Data collection .............................................................................................................................. 9
2.2.2 Assessment of the communitys willingness to participate in waste reduction and separation . 10
Chapter 3: Literature review..................................................................................................................... 14
3.1 General introduction .......................................................................................................................... 14
3.2 Waste management .......................................................................................................................... 15
3.3 Specific examples of effects of improper managed waste ................................................................ 18
3.4 Stakeholders in waste management ................................................................................................. 19
3.5 Challenges in waste management .................................................................................................... 19
3.5.1 Limited infrastructures ................................................................................................................ 20
3.5.2 Inadequate funding .................................................................................................................... 20
3.5.3 Limited research institutions and staffs ...................................................................................... 21
3.5.4 Social issues .............................................................................................................................. 21
3.6 Community participation in waste management ............................................................................... 22
3.6.1 How do communities participate in waste management? .......................................................... 23
3.6.2 What benefits arise from community participation in waste management? ............................... 25
3.6.3 Benefits community members get by participating in waste management ................................ 25
Chapter 4: Results .................................................................................................................................... 27

vi

4.1 General waste management in Eenhana Town ................................................................................ 27

4.2 Problems or challenges in Eenhana Town ....................................................................................... 32
4.3 Measures to make and enhance community participation in waste management ........................... 34
4.3.1 Assessment of the communitys willingness to participate in waste management, OB location37
Chapter 5: Discussion .............................................................................................................................. 40
5.1 Waste management in Eenhana Town ............................................................................................. 40
5.1.1 Waste collection and containers ................................................................................................ 40
5.1.2 Process of waste collection until disposal in Eenhana Town ..................................................... 43
5.1.3 Reduce and Re-use of waste in Eenhana Town ....................................................................... 45
5.2 Waste management problems or challenges in Eenhana Town ...................................................... 47
5.2.1 Limited financial budget ............................................................................................................. 47
5.2.2 Littering and illegal dumping ...................................................................................................... 49
5.2.3 Limited staff members ................................................................................................................ 50
5.2.4 No recycling of papers and plastics in town ............................................................................... 51
5.2.5 Long standing of garden refuse ................................................................................................. 54
5.2.6 Low turn up of participants for workshops and clean up campaigns ......................................... 55
5.2.7 Other challenges ........................................................................................................................ 56
5.3 Ways to encourage community participate in waste management ................................................... 57
5.3.1 Public education and training ..................................................................................................... 57
5.3.2 Involve every community member in waste management activities .......................................... 58
5.3.3 Provide means of incentives ...................................................................................................... 60
5.3.4 Provision of sufficient waste bins ............................................................................................... 62
5.3.5 Job creation to local people ....................................................................................................... 62
5.4 Additional means to encourage participation .................................................................................... 64
5.4.1 Assign a specific task to individuals ........................................................................................... 64
5.4.2 Active cooperation between the service providers and the community ..................................... 64
5.5 Communitys assessment to participate in waste management in OB location ............................... 66
5.5.1 Waste separation ....................................................................................................................... 66
5.5.2 Use of shopping bags to reduce plastic generation ................................................................... 68
Chapter 6: Conclusions ............................................................................................................................ 71
6.1 Summary of challenges, solutions and implementation strategies in Eenhana Town ...................... 73
6.1.1 On general waste management ................................................................................................. 73
6.1.2 On the use of shopping bags ..................................................................................................... 76
Chapter 7: Areas of improvement and recommendations .................................................................... 77
Chapter 8: References .............................................................................................................................. 81
Chapter 9: Appendices ............................................................................................................................. 83
Appendix 1: Designed interview questionnaires for the Town Council officials ...................................... 83

vii

Appendix 2: Pamphlet developed ........................................................................................................... 86

Appendix 3: Field experiment monitoring guiding table .......................................................................... 87
Appendix 4: Second community workshop feedback tables ................................................................... 88

List of figures
Figure 1. Map of Namibia including the Ohangwena Region, Windhoek and Eenhana Town ..................... 7
Figure 2. Eenhana Town, including OB location (black circle) (ETC, 2013) ................................................. 8
Figure 3. Design of the experiment and the assigned tasks in Eenhana Town 2013................................. 10
Figure 4. OB community workshops on waste management in EMPYC, Lepaleni, (2013) ....................... 13
Figure 5. Mini experiment volunteered committee and other participants, (Lepaleni, 2013) ...................... 13
Figure 6. Waste management hierarchy, (Windhoek Municipality, 2011) .................................................. 17
Figure 7. Type, size (liters) and quantity of bins at formal areas in Eenhana Town, 2013 ......................... 28
Figure 8. Estimated quantity of waste generated (%) in different sectors of Eenhana Town, 2013 ........... 28
Figure 9. Service providers (above) and point of operation (below) in Eenhana Town, 2013 .................... 29
Figure 10. Costs of different waste collection types in Eenhana Town, 2013, N$1.00:0.10 .................. 30
Figure 11. Waste handling from collection until disposal. Circles is the recommended pathway .............. 30
Figure 12. Dumpsite excavated pits (1) and the newly dumped waste (2) before landfilling, (Lepaleni,
2013) ........................................................................................................................................................... 31
Figure 13. Plastic re-use by members (1) and means to avoid generation by Lepaleni (2) ....................... 32
Figure 14. Possible means on how to make people participate in waste management ............................. 35
Figure 15. Different types of possible means of incentives ........................................................................ 36
Figure 16. Number of participants: first and second workshops, (EMPYC), 2013 ..................................... 37
Figure 17. Number of households represented at the last workshop and carried out tasks ...................... 37
Figure 18. An approximate quantity of waste separated in 3 weeks at OB. Mixes is the quantity of wrong
separation. MW: Monitoring week ............................................................................................................... 38
Figure 19. Full street drum at Tulipamwe informal location in Eenhana Town, (Lepaleni, 2013) ............... 43
Figure 20. Wilco recycling separating waste at the dump site in Eenhana Town, (Lepaleni, 2013) .......... 44
Figure 21. Newly established community ''garden'' kraal in Eenhana Town, (Lepaleni, 2013) .................. 47
Figure 22. Use of fire wood in Eenhana Town houses, (Lepaleni, 2013) ................................................... 53
Figure 23. An example of poor sanitation in Tulipamwe informal location in Eenhana Town .................... 56
Figure 24. Recommended approach to sustainable waste management, Lepaleni 2013 .......................... 77
Figure 25. Example of possible job creation incentive for Eenhana community ........................................ 79

viii

List of tables
Table 1: Collection points, frequency and containers for the various collection categories in Eenhana
Town (ETC, 2013) ....................................................................................................................................... 27
Table 2. Identified problems, measures put in place and recommendations ............................................. 33
Table 3. Identified challenges and solutions through workshops with regard to the use of shopping bags
.................................................................................................................................................................... 39
Table 4. Summary of challenges, possible solutions, implementation strategy and their feasibility in
Eenhana Town ............................................................................................................................................ 73
Table 5. Summary of challenges in using shopping bags, possible solutions, implementation strategy and
its feasibility ................................................................................................................................................. 76
Table 6. Estimated targets, indicators and verifications of what to achieve in 5-10 years, CGs: community
groups, WM: waste management ............................................................................................................... 78
Table 7. Developmental expectations for the cooperative in 5-10 years .................................................... 80

ix

List of acronyms
CBOs

Community Based Organizations

CoW

City of Windhoek

DAPP

Development Aid from People to People

EMPYC

Eenhana Multi-Purpose Youth Center

ET

Eenhana Town

ETC

Eenhana Town Council

GRN

Government Republic of Namibia

MAWF

Ministry of Agriculture Water and Forestry

MET

Ministry of Environment and Tourism

MHSS

Ministry of Health and Social Services

MRLGH

Ministry of Regional Local Government and Housing

NAPPA

Namibia Planned Parenthood Association

NGOs

Non-Governmental Organizations

NPC

National Planning Commission

NTA

Namibia Training Authority

NWMP

National Waste Management Policy

ORC

Ohangwena Regional Council

RCRCA

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

RCS

Red Cross Society

SA

South Africa

TC

Town

UNAM

University of Namibia

UNEP

United Nations Environmental Program

UNFCCC

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

Council

Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Background information
Developing countries are still undergoing economic development, population growth
and urbanization, and are at the same time expecting rapid and increased amount of
waste generation (Hallaj et al., 2012). Most of the newly proclaimed towns in Namibia
such as Eenhana are still developing and their populations are growing. This results due
to an increased number of investors moving to town from the neighboring villages,
regions and all other parts of the country. Additionally, day to day visitors including
people from neighboring Angola contribute to the increase in waste generated and
increasing major public health and environmental problems, Eenhana Town Council
(ETC, 2012). Shipanga (2013) indicated that about 0.6 kg on average of waste is
generated per rural person in Namibia compared to 3 kg per urban person daily.
Namibia produces about 3000 tons of waste on a daily basis of which 60-80 % are
recyclable (Shipanga, 2013). Such high generation pose problem to the environment if
no best practices are put in place on time.
Albrecht et al. (2007) indicated that protection of human environment enhances
economic development and improves peoples well-being. Well managed waste
contributes to the reduction of risks of diseases outbreak and transmission, injuries and
ensuring public health; thus improving the quality of life for all citizens, Ministry of Health
and Social Service (MHSS, 2010). However, this is possible provided that everyone
especially the community members actively participate and are engaged in ensuring
clean towns and the environment at large. Subash (n.d) defined community participation
as a process that engages community members in waste management related activities
to certain extend and at different stages. Community participation in waste management
forms an important component of sound and sustainable waste management for
sustainable development (Hasheela, 2009).
However, effective waste management requires good collaboration among all relevant
stakeholders. These include the municipalities or town councils (TCs), environmental
1

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), line ministries and the general public to a

larger extend. It is advisable that all stakeholders have access to all relevant
information, and every aspect pertaining waste generation and management is shared
between them (Joseph and Nagendran, 2007). Hasheela (2009) indicated that
community members are important stakeholders who may practically be involved in all
stages of waste management such as in waste separation, collection, transportation,
treatment and disposal as well as in meetings and workshops.
Additionally, Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration contributed to environmental matters by
supporting the role of public participation stating that Environmental issues are best
handled with the participation of all concerned citizens, at a relevant level. At the
national level, each individual should have appropriate access to information concerning
the environment that is held by public authorities, including information on hazardous
materials and activities in their communities, and the opportunity to participate in
decision-making processes. States shall facilitate and encourage public awareness and
participation by making information widely available. Effective access to judicial and
administrative proceedings, including redress and remedy, should be provided (United
Nations, 1992).
Hasheela (2009) further pointed out that Namibia is still focusing its attention mainly on
technological measures of waste management but to a lesser extend pays attention to
community involvement. Community involvement gives a chance to reflect on ones
responsibilities and role in environmental protection starting from the point source waste
generation and waste removal from premises (Squires, 2006). It is necessary that
community participation in waste management is enhanced. This can be achieved
either by increasing awareness raising programs, establishing environmental health
clubs,

encouraging

community

recycling

clubs

and

projects

and

integrating

environmental aspects in early educational curriculum to a greater extend among

others. Successful implementation of these will help change the mentality of the
communities of seeing waste management as the governments, municipalitys or TCs
responsibility, but rather everyones.

Therefore, the thesis mainly discusses possible measures or approaches on how to

encourage community members to participate in waste management (focus is on solid
waste). Accompanied by this it provides in-depth information on the waste management
strategies and challenges in Eenhana Town (ET) and recommends possible mitigation
measures. The term community is used more in this context and it refers to a group of
people (community members) residing in a particular area, for example ET or locations
within ET such as OB David. OB will be used to refer to OB Davids location.

1.2 Problem statement

Namibia being one of the so called developing countries is still trying to find solutions for
sustainable waste management. Several challenges are still existing in Namibia of
which lack of community involvement and lack of knowledge and understanding of
why peoples active participation is one of the great challenges the country is currently
trying to improve on (MHSS, 2010). Most TCs especially in the northern regions of
Namibia are more interested in technical developments such as waste compactor
vehicles and plans to upgrade dumpsites to sanitary landfills, instead of first investing in
activities that involve and encourage community participation. Furthermore, most towns
do not have waste management plans and thus do not have good techniques on waste
minimization and techniques to divert waste from their dump sites (Shipanga, 2013). ET
though recently proclaimed, it is noted that community participation in waste
management is minimal or not existing (ETC, 2012).
However as mentioned earlier, better waste management requires the commitment of
not only one entity such as the TC which is the service provider, but to a greater extent
the community of that particular area. Although the benefits go to all, cases of any
environmental threats resulting from unsustainable waste management practices results
in community members suffering more due to lack of capacity and awareness.
Situations of increasing municipal bills such as water, electricity and waste collection to
name a few affect the community, more especially the poor (Muller and Laroui, 2000).
It is also noted that many studies been conducted with regard to waste management
especially in Africa have outlined and discussed challenges and problems in waste
3

management ranging from technical, financial, poor planning, lack of coordination and
community involvement in waste management among others; but to a lesser extent
have emphasized and outlined practical measures to make people participate in waste
management. Although the role of community participation is known, practical
involvement in waste management is still minimal in most developing countries and
Namibia is not an exception. The question still to be answered is: How can we
encourage community members to participate in waste management at a local level for
effective, reliable and sustainable waste management systems?

1.3 Main research question

The research question for this research was:
How can the community members be encouraged or be motivated to participate in
waste management?

1.4 Goal
The goal for this research project was to identify and discuss possible means or
solutions to make or motivate community members to participate in waste management.

1.5 Objectives of the study

The objectives of this study were to:
1. Identify the waste management strategies in Eenhana Town.
2. Identify the existing waste management problems in town and possible measures
to mitigate them.
3. To find motivational strategies or approaches to make people participate in waste
management.

1.6 Research questions

The research attempts to answer the following questions:
1. How is waste being managed in Eenhana Town?
2. Which waste management problems or challenges is Eenhana Town faced with
and what are possible solutions to mitigate them?
3. What are the possible measures or strategies to make community members
participate in waste management in Eenhana Town?

1.7 Significance of the study

Apart from poverty reduction, other issues Namibia is faced with are finding solutions to
the unemployment rate of 51.2 % (Sherbourne, 2010), despite the small population of
2.1 million, National Planning Commission (NPC), 2011). Sustainable waste
management through active and integrated approaches can be one way to improve the
unemployment situation in the country. Waste management jobs provide labor for
unskilled people, avoiding also scavengers at dump sites. Community members can
work as litter pickers to keep the public areas clean, sort out recyclables, organize
themselves in groups for waste recycling and resource recovery. Moreover, community
members can run community or household gardens which take in food waste and
garden refuse (Squires, 2006).
At the national level, successful waste management strategies will help Namibia to
significantly contribute to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG),
particularly Goals one and seven of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger and of
ensuring environmental sustainability respectively (United Nations, 2012). It will further
contribute to the implementation of the United Nation conventions such as the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Not only that, Northern
regions in Namibia including Ohangwena Region are neglected especially when it
comes to waste management related researches since most of them are being
conducted in Windhoek, the capital city.

From the academic perspective, it is envisaged that this research forms the basis
document for the ETC on which best practices and areas of improvement can be
developed, based on its findings and recommended areas of improvement. This thesis
further forms the basis reference and a starting point for the upcoming environmental
scientists in town and Ohangwena Region at large with interest in the field of waste
management. Furthermore, the study will also help sensitize the community to
understand that waste is a problem and on the other hand to look at waste as a
resource that can contribute towards improving peoples livelihoods. The study will
further contribute to awareness raising so the community can understand and be aware
that their positive and practical participation in waste management is of vital importance.
As a result, the study is contributing to the improvement of unsustainable waste
management

practices, improving environmental concerns of pollution and climate

change, and ensuring peoples and animal health.

Apart from that, Ohangwena Regional Council (ORC) (2012) reported Eenhana as one
of the fastest growing towns with booming economic activities, because it is still
developing and has a larger open area for new developments. The environment
remains in shape, non-degraded, and the town is still green and most trees are in their
natural habitats. However it is noted that the collection and proper waste disposal is
soon to be a challenge to face in the near future with increasing population and urban
development (ORC, 2012). Therefore, to anticipate such challenges and for the town to
keep its status of being green and clean, waste management studies at this stage are of
vital importance. The research will also help the TC to realize its loop holes on time;
develop appropriate techniques and well defined strategies for safe waste management
at a lower cost, involve and encourage community participation at an earlier stage,
minimize stress of waste problems and severe environmental deterioration and put in
place mitigation measures in the near future. Moreover, implementation of the field
experiment and positive acceptance of the ideas by the TC and the community are
relevant in developing further and improve the recent draft on Waste Management
Policy (WMP) of ETC and the Management plan for the Eenhana dumping site.

Chapter 2: Methodology and study area

2.1 Study area
The study was conducted in the Northern Namibia in Ohangwena Region as shown in
figure 1 below. The country has a total area of 824,116 km2 (NPC, 2001), a total
population size 2,113,077 and a population density of 2.6 people per km2. Namibia is
divided into 13 regions, of which Ohangwena Region forms a narrow stretch along the
southern part of Angolan border.

Figure 1. Map of Namibia including the Ohangwena Region, Windhoek and Eenhana Town

Despite the small size of the region of about 10,703.2 km 2 (1.3 %), Ohangwena is the
second largest populated region with about 245,446 inhabitants (11.7 %) and a
population density of 23.0 people per km2. The first populated region is Khomas (where
the capital city Windhoek is located) with 342,141(16.3 %) inhabitants and a population
7

density of 9.2 people per km2 (NPC, 2011). Khomas has a total area of 37,007 km2
(NPC, 2001).

Figure 2. Eenhana Town, including OB location (black circle) (ETC, 2013)

Eenhana is a small town, situated in the Northern Namibia. It serves as the Regional
Administration Capital of the Ohangwena Region. The land covers an area of about 50
km2 of which a third is the township. Eenhana was first declared as a settlement (as
declared under section 31 of the Regional Councils Act, 1992) in 1992, one year after
Namibia gained independence from the South African regime in 1990; and later
proclaimed as a town on the 15th April 1999. ET is one of the fastest growing towns in
Namibia with a current population size of about 24,000 inhabitants (ORC, 2012).
8

However this number is indicated to be increasing due to the inflow of investors from all
over Namibia. ET is within the local governance of ETC and is not yet qualified to be a
municipality because it is still subsidized by the government, and unable to pay all costs
related to the execution of the towns powers and functions out of its own funds, Ministry
of Regional Local Government and Housing (MRLGH, 1992).
At the moment ET has 6 locations of which OB was selected as the pilot site for the
three weeks experiment, based on the reasons that littering and illegal dumping
especially of the garden refuse were more noticed in the location. Moreover the location
is close to Eenhana Multi-Purpose Youth Center (EMPYC) in which the workshops were
scheduled to be held, to make it easier for the community to walk to and from the
workshops after hours to encourage good attendance and facilitate free exchange of
ideas as Squires (2006) supported. Further, OB is the smallest location in town with 100
households and an area size of 52,797,399 m2 (ETC, 2013)

2.2 Methodology
2.2.1 Data collection
The research is mainly a qualitative study. Data were obtained by examining both
secondary and primary sources. Primary sources were collected through field research
which includes interview questions with the TCs officials, field visit to the dump site,
field experiment and observations. Secondary sources include books, journal articles,
published theses, government publications especially the National Waste Management
Policy of Namibia (2010) and various internet sources.
To reach the goal and objectives of the study, detailed interview questions were
discussed with two officials from the Community Services and Public Health Department
of ET to answer mainly question one and two. Question three was mostly answered
through the community workshops and the field experiment. To better understand the
manner in which waste is generated, managed, treated and disposed, observations at
the dump site, formal and informal streets were also considered.

2.2.2 Assessment of the communitys willingness to participate in waste

reduction and separation
Experimental design
To assess the communitys willingness to participate in waste management activities, a
field experiment was designed with the help of the TC and was carried out for three
weeks (22 April13th May 2013). The main reasons were to introduce and test how the
community will react to the concepts and activities on waste separation from point
source, means of waste reduction e.g. use of shopping bags and composting. These
points form part of the draft WMP for the TC which is yet to be implemented. Reducing
waste is objective two, while waste separation and garden refuse fall under objective
three. Further, the experiment forms a major mean to make people practically
participate, while necessary resources are provided.
Necessary arrangements were made with the office of the Chief Executive Officer and
the town councilor for the OB location. Invitation letters written in English and translated
in the local language Oshiwambo were prepared and distributed house by house. Two
color coded plastic bags in green and yellow were bought by the TC to run the
experiment. Community members of the OB location were asked to commit themselves
to the experiment to separate waste. The community was also tasked to obtain
shopping bags and use them, as well as to try composting in their yards.
OB David Location

Waste separation

Plastics, bottles
and cans

Yellow bag

Papers and
boxes

Use of shopping bags

Composting

Rest of the waste

Green bag

85 L bin

Figure 3. Design of the experiment and the assigned tasks in Eenhana Town 2013

10

OB location consists of 100 houses (Fig. 2). A total of 68 houses received the
separation bags. The remaining 32 were either locked or there was no response from
the house. With regard to shopping bags, individuals were requested to obtain shopping
bags by themselves as the experiment was not funded and the TC was not prepared to
carry out such tasks at this point in time. Shopping bags are also not very expensive.
Small bags cost N$17.00 (1.70 ) in the local shops at the present exchange rate.
The green plastic bag was used to sort out papers and the yellow to sort out cans,
bottles and plastics. Papers and boxes were separated alone as they are more sensitive
to moisture and get wet easily, thereby easily lose value for recycling purposes.
Moreover, sorting out papers and boxes into one plastic bag with all other recyclables
may fill the bag faster, which means more plastics need to be provided.

All other

general waste was discarded in the 85 L bin. The green and yellow colors were
specifically used just for the sake of the experiment.
The provided plastic bags were checked or monitored every Monday from 16-18 hour
for three consecutive weeks. Monitoring was done to ensure that the correct fractions
were separated in the correct bags as discussed in the workshop and indicated in the
information pamphlet and whether they were full or not for replacement. Community
members were also informed to notify the TC office in-case the bag got full before the
next monitoring date. Waste types separated in wrong bags were moved to the right
bags before the next monitoring. The waste collectors were reminded not to pick up the
plastic bags until after three weeks because the separated fractions in green and yellow
bag do not smell and also to make it easier to estimate the quantity of waste generated
after three weeks. The 85 L bin was emptied as usual (two times a week)..
Awareness raising
The second workshop was arranged after the experiment to find out what feedback the
community will provide including their experiences, what lessons learnt can be derived,
what more the community requires for further future implementation and which areas
can be improved as Squires, (2006) encouraged. Moreover, the workshop aimed to
discuss few results and problems encountered during the monitoring period.
11

In support of the interview findings, observations, pre and post experiment, community
workshops were arranged with the assistance of the TC (Fig. 4 below). The first
workshop serves as a mean of awareness raising, information dissemination and a
platform to fully explain what the experiment entails, the benefits of the activities to
undertake and why the community should participate. To achieve this, a presentation
was prepared. The main discussion points were the introduction of the ideas to separate
waste from the generation point, means to reduce waste with emphasis on the use of
shopping bags to reduce plastic bags, ways to reuse generated waste and possibilities
to compost the garden refuse for reuse as a fertilizer. Since the use of plastic bags is
not banned in Namibia, the community was asked to voluntarily use shopping bags but
not prohibited to pick plastic bags. If plastics are to be prohibited this requires the review
of the present environmental policies.
Thirty minutes prior to the workshop people were again reminded via the loud speaker
while driving around the streets of OB location. Children especially learners and
students were encouraged to attend since most of the times only elders turn up for
workshops but implementation lies also in the childrens hands that are frequently
tasked to discard the waste. Therefore, it was agreed that children should attend waste
management related workshops not only to carry out tasks and to remind parents on
what is expected but to also use these chances as learning opportunities. Before the
workshop came to an end, a committee of 6 volunteers (Fig. 5) was organized (other 3
were assistant workshop facilitators). The main aims were to assist with the distribution
of plastics and the information leaflets as well as conduct weekly monitoring.
Apart from that, the information pamphlet was designed for awareness raising purposes
(appendix 2). The main contents of the pamphlet were to introduce and discuss the
ideas and significance of waste separation from the point source, discuss ways on how
the community can contribute to the reduction of waste quantities and to remind the
community on the issue of littering and illegal waste dumping in the location and town at
large. Moreover, the pamphlet called for the community to collaborate with the TC by
reporting illegal waste dumping. It also included the procedures to be followed if such
offences are being repeated.
12

Figure 4. OB community workshops on waste management in EMPYC, Lepaleni, (2013)

Figure 5. Mini experiment volunteered committee and other participants, (Lepaleni, 2013)

13

Chapter 3: Literature review

3.1 General introduction
Waste is everyone's problem. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA,
2011) indicated that resources that become waste are no longer available for future use.
Waste refers to garbage, refuse, sledges from waste water treatment plants, industrial
waste and other discarded materials including solids, semi solids, and liquid. The City of
Windhoek (CoW, 2010) defined waste as a substance or matter whether solid, liquid or
any combination of it, which are: discarded, rejected, undesirable, abandoned, matter
which is regarded as useless and unwanted. Waste includes also materials
accumulated or stored for the purposes of discarding, processing, reuse, recycling,
recovery or extracting a usable product. It also includes products that may contain or
generate gaseous component which may originate from residential, gardening,
commercial, educational, agricultural, building and demolition activities, industrial waste,
hazardous waste and health care risk (CoW, 2010). Many people think of solid waste
definition as limited to physically solid waste in nature. However solid waste is not
limited to physically solid waste, but can also be semi solid and gaseous. Municipal
solid waste is a subset of solid waste (RCRA, 2011). This research has concentrated on
municipal solid waste.
The rate and composition of waste generation differs from community to community. It
is determined by factors such as peoples life-style, economic standards, collection
systems used, type and size of containers, recent technology, frequency of collection,
and incentives of that particular community (RCRA, 2011). Incentives can be something
economic, social, political, situational or developmental that motivates or stimulates
peoples participation in waste management. Incentives can also be logistical such as
invitations, meals and transport refund to waste management activities where
necessary as supported by Squires, (2006); or results-based incentives such as the
realization of perceived benefits Desert Research Foundation of Namibia (DRFN, 2011).
MHSS (2010) indicated that in Namibia an amount of domestic waste is estimated to be
at 0.5 kg per capita per day and 0.6 kg per capita per day for health care. Compared to
14

this, Shipanga (2013) indicated 0.6 kg on average of waste generated per rural person
to 3 kg per urban person daily. General waste quantities are expected to increase by
2.5 % per annum. United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) (2012) reported that
about 1.3 billion tons of municipal waste is generated globally each year and volumes
are expected to increase to 2.2 billion tons by 2025. Faster population growth, economic
development through industrialization and urbanization in developed countries are
producing and increasing waste quantities, while low-income countries are more prone
to threats from poor waste management (UNEP, 2012). Further, UNEP mentioned that
public waste systems in cities cannot keep up with the pace of urban expansion and
rapid industrialization is happening in countries that have not yet developed appropriate
systems especially to deal with waste and more especially hazardous waste.
It is important that the nations do not just see waste as a problem but to some extent as
an opportunity to recover useful products through recycling (Yanna, 2013). UNEP
(2012) pointed out that if waste is to be properly handled, waste management can have
a huge potential in turning the problems into solutions, consequently paving a way
towards sustainable development. This results due to proper and efficient recovery and
reuse of valuable resources, energy production, reduced emissions of greenhouse
gases from landfills and dump sites, creation of new business and employment
opportunities especially for the informal sector (UNEP, 2012).
The literature review has looked at waste management in general, the specific
examples of problems with unmanaged waste such as papers and plastics, the
stakeholders and challenges or constraints in waste management and finally community
participation or involvement in waste management including their role and benefits
perceived at a local level in waste management.

3.2 Waste management

The thesis concentrates more on management of solid waste as mentioned before.
Squires, (2006) defined solid waste management as a series of organized
administration of tasks and activities of storage, point source separation, collection,
transportation, treatment and disposal of waste. UNEP (2012) pointed out that waste
15

management is one of the most complex and cost-intensive public services which
requires large municipal budgets even when organized and properly operated.
According to the RCRA (2011), proper waste management not only reduces the
quantity of waste generated but to a larger extent ensures that waste is managed in an
environmentally sound manner, which involves practicable steps that protect both
human health and the environment.
Moreover, effective waste management also reduces the risks of waste collectors or
handlers of a particular community. Improper waste disposal and poor waste collection
may lead to serious health implications, serious economic and environmental problems
mainly air, land and water (UNEP, 2012). UNEP further discussed that a combination of
hazardous with the households waste because of lack of knowledge on point separation
for instance pose extreme harmful effects for people in the waste management sector
and the communities.
Solid waste collection is inadequate in developing countries, leaving long standing
waste and uncollected in streets, dumped in open areas and burnt in the open air
(Cheo, 2010; Joseph and Nagendran, 2007). Municipal solid waste management
systems involve waste collection, transportation and disposal. Other options of resource
recovery through recycling and reprocessing are still minimal and require consideration
(Cheo, 2010). Achankeng (2003) cited in Cheo (2010) discussed some different
collection systems used in developing countries which include pre-collection, door-todoor and fixed point collection. Pre-collection is the transportation of waste from
generation points, mostly by children to municipal waste bins. Door-to-door collection is
the waste collection by the responsible town council or municipality waste trucks that
empty the bins while fixed point collection operates at a particular fixed days, time and
frequency (schedule) at the most accessible fixed point. Town councils or municipalities
that employ fixed point method have schedules which depend on the popularity and
accessibility of the area (Achankeng 2003, in Cheo, 2010).
The Windhoek Municipality (2011) discussed three main principles of waste
management as: the integrated waste management hierarchy, the polluter pays
principle and the duty of care. The waste management hierarchy can be implemented
16

through waste avoidance, reduction by minimizing the amount of waste an individual

produce, reuse and recycling as much waste as possible. Disposal of what is left should
be done in a responsible manner. According to the RCRA (2011), waste reduction is a
priority in order to conserve resources, while reducing waste generated, protecting
human health and the environment. Furthermore, Yanna (2013) pointed out that
recycling in the CoW can reduce between 60-80 % of waste disposed at the landfills.
This agrees with Shipanga (2013), who mentioned that the same percentages account
for recyclables in Namibia. However, Eco award Namibia (2005) argues that finished
recycling of paper, glass, tins and plastics is done in South Africa (SA) (at the southern
border of Namibia) and transport cost is expensive. Yanna, (2013) further reported that
the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in the CoW currently processes 60 tons of
recyclables every day. So far in Namibia the MRF is only operating in the capital city of
Namibia (Windhoek) but there is a recent feasibility study going on in the towns of
Swakopmund and Oshakati (Yanna, 2013).
Klundert and Anschiitz (2000) added that material and energy recovery are of benefits
to solid waste management for they ensure material availability, conservation of
resources and sustainability of natural resources, through material and energy
conservation. Moreover, waste recovery and recycling form an important market for
income generating for individuals (Asong, 2010; Windhoek Municipality, 2011). In
Namibia recycling is mentioned to be a legal requirement and waste management has
become a priority (Windhoek Municipality, 2011).

Figure 6. Waste management hierarchy, (Windhoek Municipality, 2011)

The polluter pays principle on the other hand calls for every people who generate waste
to bear the responsibility of the cost of waste movement and the rehabilitation of the
17

environment as a result of such waste. The CoW (2010) encourages for measures to
ensure the polluter pays for any environment or public health and required remediation
measures in-case of illegal disposal. The duty of care calls for people who generate
waste to be responsible for proper handling, transportation and disposal of their waste
and by no mean is to be dumped illegally (Windhoek Municipality, 2011).

3.3 Specific examples of effects of improper managed waste

Though all waste is of environmental concern, plastic and papers are easily discarded,
and dominate dumpsites (ETC, 2012). High plastic waste generation pose a threat both
to the environment and animals. Accumulation of plastics on the environment disrupts
natural habitats such as surface water sources. Forbid (2012) pointed out that although
plastics have a high calorific value (36-46 MJ / Kg) which makes them a good waste for
energy production, failing to recycle them will increase littering and spoil the land.
Although it is a source of energy plastic burning produces volatile organic carbons
(VOCs), poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-dioxins
(PCDD) (Forbid, 2012). These pollutants are toxic since they are carcinogenic, highly
widespread, mutagenic and persistent because they are highly chemically stable and
have low water solubility. PCDDs are indicated to also interfere with the neurons, affects
respiratory tract causing breathing problems and may interfere with the reproduction,
immune system and liver function among others (Engler, 2013). Animals on another
side especially cattle ingest plastics which eventually lead to death as plastics
accumulate and tangle the intestines. Plastics are indigestible and take many years to
degrade (ETC, 2012).
Taking into consideration the aquatic environment macro plastics which can also
become micro plastics are indicated to pose great danger to aquatic species. Plastics
can be mistaken by the aquatic species as food source, can entangle species and
eventually die. Further, human beings that are more depended on aquatic food sources
do accumulate micro plastics in bodies as their diets can affect their health in a long run.
One should understand that the waste that you discard in the environment will come
and hurt you if not your children or the generation to come (Engler, 2013).
18

3.4 Stakeholders in waste management

Successful waste management is an important task that requires collaborative approach
and engagement of all stakeholders in order to avoid or control pollution and to ensure
environmental protection (Squires, 2006). Although waste is regarded as everyones
problem, it is being generated by different sources including households, industries,
commercial entities and various sectors such as agricultural, mining and health sectors
to name a few, and end up in open dumping or landfill sites. Consequently, there should
be a number of stakeholders in waste management. The MHSS (2010) of Namibia calls
for inter-sectoral collaboration as well as the active involvement and participation of
communities during all stages of waste management related projects; of which Joseph
and Nagendran (2007); Hasheela (2009) are calling for the same ideas. This ranges
from project initiation, planning and implementation. It is necessary that all line
ministries and environmental NGOs be consulted and practically be involved for the
purpose of effective waste management at all levels in the community (MHSS, 2010).
For successful waste management several agencies at the national level should be
involved in most if not all solid waste management related activities and coordination
should also be enhanced among all agencies. In Namibia, waste management agencies
indicated playing a role in waste management should include the Ministry of
Environment and Tourism (MET), Ministry of Agriculture Water and Forestry (MAWF)
and the MHSS, NGOs, businesses, all academic institutions, schools, municipalities and
town councils (MHSS, 2010). However, the policy did not outline the specific roles these
agencies play.

3.5 Challenges in waste management

Several studies (see below) have discussed several challenges or constraints that
countries and waste management departments are facing and experienced especially in
developing countries of which Namibia is not an exemption. These include: poor or
limited technology such as waste treatment plants, poor infrastructures such as roads,
limited financial security or investment, institutional, limited staff or administration and
social behaviors to name a few. These challenges limit the initiatives, development as
19

well as successful implementation of waste management projects. Projects may include

waste collection, separation, cleaning campaigns and recycling among others.
3.5.1 Limited infrastructures
Cheo (2010) mentioned that poor infrastructures such as bad roads hinder the
accessibility to waste collection points in town. In addition, Asong (2010) discussed that
poor urban planning such as of roads limit access to households and businesses. This
in return reduces the collection efficiency by altering the collection days, times and
frequencies. Consequently, full municipal services will not be rendered such as proper
collection and distribution of waste bins particularly in case of door to door collection
(Windhoek Municipality, 2011).
Not only that, sufficient supply of durable collection facilities such as bins make it easier
for the community members to separate and collect waste in the bins supplied. On
contrary, provision of sufficient facilities alone does not guarantee sustainable waste
management but such facilities need to be emptied for waste to be disposed of at the
agreed time interval. Failure to collect bins at the right time and frequency may attract
dogs and cats that have a tendency to scavenge on the waste. This can mess up the
town, making it more costly for waste collectors since they have to clean up the mess
first, and refill the bins before transporting (Asong, 2010).
3.5.2 Inadequate funding
In terms of funding, most of the developing countries prioritize mainly other departments
instead of waste management related activities and initiatives. Most governments
concentrate more on sanitation, health, and urban developments. To a greater extend
governments overlook the waste management sections, knowing that poor waste
management have negative impacts on the environment on which urban planning,
health and other developments are based upon. As a result, more health and other
environmental problems are often faced, and more cost is to be incurred. However, it is
not only the availability of funding that ensures successful implementation of waste
management but proper allocation and efficient use of these funds (Hasheela, 2009;

20

CoW, 2010). Securing funds will promote community involvement, making community
services less dependent on donor funding (Muller and Laroui, 2000).
3.5.3 Limited research institutions and staffs
Adequate academic and research institutions provide a better platform for community
empowerment. Hence more research and trainings are of vital importance towards
sustainable waste management. Capacity building through training of officials on waste
management will enable staffs to carry out and implement the requirements of waste
management policy and divisions effectively (CoW, 2010). High staff turnovers,
inadequate number of staff and low expertise in waste management are major problems
hindering the successful implementation of tasks and waste management related
projects efficiently (MHSS, 2010).
Not only that, Joseph and Nagendran (2007) discussed that most solid waste
management officers especially at the local level have little or no technical know-how for
designing, operating, maintaining, and monitoring in management, which is essential for
the sustainability of solid waste management divisions, projects and other related
initiatives. Furthermore, it is important that waste management departments employ
sufficient and well capacitated technical and administrative number of staffs if effective
waste management is to be ensured (Joseph and Nagendran, 2007).
3.5.4 Social issues
Other constraints in waste management include the social factors such as peoples
social behaviors which also influence the quantities and composition of waste being
generated. Joseph and Nagendran (2007) added that in developing countries, effective
waste management systems require a balancing of social progress that recognizes
everyone's needs, effective environmental protection, and maintenance of high and
stable levels of economic growth, employment creation and sustainable use of natural
resources.
Joseph and Nagendran (2007) further pointed out that despite the ideal waste
management hierarchy (Fig. 6), poor waste management activities such as
irresponsible behaviors of illegal dumping, littering, waste burning without taking
21

measures to control the air and water pollution, scavenging at dump sites and negative
health impacts for the people in close proximity still persist (Eco Award Namibia, 2005).
Other constraints include the average level and sources of income, the demographics
e.g. population, industrial production and the existence of markets for waste materials in
a particular area (CoW, 2010).

3.6 Community participation in waste management

DRFN (2011) distinguished four levels of participation in which the community as part of
the stakeholders can take such as awareness, participation, involvement and
engagement. Awareness is a preliminary component of peoples capacity, together with
knowledge, skills and attitudes. Participation refers to taking part in activities and
attending workshops or workshops even not being engaged to some activities.
Engagement is the willingness or promise of people to do something or to make
decisions; and involvement is to be included in waste management activities and make
sure community inputs influence the decision (Squires, 2006). Subash (n.d) also
discussed that one requirement for effective solid waste management system is that
people (community) need to be activated and be involved. The CoW (2010) indicated
that recognizing the value of involving community people in the development and
implementation of any waste related program or system is an important component
towards waste management. The community needs to be encouraged in order to
participate in waste management through various related project developments,
initiating community structures to support local waste management programs, provide
access to information through various and accessible channels at a community level
(Squires, 2006). Moreover, communities should be encouraged to view and understand
waste as a resource for entrepreneurial activities especially through the use of
recyclables. Successful implementation of these ideas ensures ownership of waste
management projects implemented at the community level (CoW, 2010).
Subash (n.d) also supported that many towns suffer from waste problems and fail not
only due to lack of technical, financial, and human resources but also because of poor
community involvement in waste management. This leads to failure to accomplish the
22

annual plans and implement successfully the activities and utilize the allocated budget
wisely. Joseph and Nagendran (2007) supported that a lack of capacity building,
awareness creation through community participation in waste management are some of
the issues hindering the successful implementation and sustainable waste management
measures especially at the grassroots level. Sikabongo (2010) indicated that keeping
the community informed is an important component of public accountability to be
satisfied by municipal authorities. Joseph and Nagendran (2007) further argued that
peoples participation especially those at the grassroots level form an important
component for successful waste management despite limited or low awareness raising,
and low expertise in waste related fields. Therefore, public education and awareness
creation programs need to be intensified (Joseph and Nagendran, 2007).
Apart from that, good cooperation between people at the local level, private sector and
the town councils makes it easier for the adaption and successful implementation of
waste related policies such as of setting payment rates for service charges. Therefore, it
is important that waste managers do not just concentrate on the top down but a bottom
up approach need to be prioritized and people be given control over operation and
waste management. The active involvement and participation of communities during the
initiation, planning and implementation of waste management services will be essential
in order to promote and ensure the programs sustainability. Additionally, effective
community involvement in waste management acts as an empowerment of community
members of the particular area (Joseph and Nagendran 2007). The CoW (2010)
indicated that lack of public awareness and school education on the importance of
effective waste management which is necessary for environmental health and wellbeing of people severely restricts the use of community-based approaches.
3.6.1 How do communities participate in waste management?
Community members participation takes different forms ranging from source
separation, collection to central fixed points to clearing ways for the waste collection
vehicles especially compacting tractors to name a few. Community members start
separating waste from the point source (their houses or business) as they discard
recyclables in the recyclable bins and organics in the respective organic containers.
23

Source separation encourages residents to reuse and recycle household waste and
promote job creation through facilitating the exchange of money in return of well
separated recyclable waste (Windhoek Municipality, 2011). As a result, collection
frequency is minimized because less waste is available for disposal; contributing to
reduction of greenhouse gases due to the reduction in burned fuel from collection
vehicles (RCRA, 2010).
The CoW in collaboration with NGOs of Enviro-Fill Namibia and Rent-A-Drum has
introduced a Clear Bag system project in Windhoek as a way of engaging community
members in waste management especially in waste separation from point source. They
distributed clear bags for collecting recyclable materials at the household and corporate
levels. The residents participate in recycling simply by separating the recyclables in the
provided clear bag which is placed next to the green wheelie bin. With time these
residents will realize a significant reduction in the waste stored in the wheelie bin. In
future residents may be able to request for the replacement of the 240 L wheelie bin
with a smaller 130 L wheelie bin and pay a reduced rate for refuse removal on a
monthly basis (CoW, 2010). The number of clear bags collected was recorded to be
increasing year by year which indicates how fast the community can adapt waste
management initiatives. A number of 22 000 clear bags were collected by January 2012
from households and 600 bags were collected from body corporates monthly. By 2013
these numbers increased to 26 000 and 2 000 clear bags respectively (Yanna, 2013).
Waste oriented community will avoid illegal dumping by discarding garbage in a proper
way. Moreover, littering will be minimal as pedestrians discard waste in the correct bag
or bin provided. Not only that, the community can be offering waste to a relevant service
provider at the right place and time to reduces collection time (duration), cut on overall
fuel costs and ensures efficient collection (Subash, 2010). Subash (2010) further
suggested that it is necessary that in case of a community waste management project
the municipalities or town councils allow community members to be part of the
committee. This increases their level of accountability and by so doing increase their
active participation.

24

Asong (2010) discussed that successful establishment of the Community-Based

Organizations (CBOs) and project initiatives are good ways to enhance community
participation and involvement in waste management. It is mainly through CBOs that
good ways of waste management and community involvement are delivered to the local
members as a way of awareness raising and information sharing.
3.6.2 What benefits arise from community participation in waste management?
There are various reasons arising from community participation and for community
involvement in waste management. Community participation encourages sharing of
ideas and enhances the successful protection of the public health and the environment.
It also creates a good bond and facilitates cooperation and communication between the
community and its town council as well as their political local leaders such as the town
councilors of different areas (ETC, 2012). Not only that, encouraging community
participation improves project design and effectiveness. Taking peoples considerations
from the very beginning makes it possible to integrate its needs and constraints in the
objectives of any waste management related project for effective implementation
(Subash, n.d).
DRFN (2011) added that community participation allows for integration and coordination between the service providers such as TCs and the community of the
respective town. Furthermore, participation enhances or improves the projects
sustainability. Local ownership and sense of responsibility is also increased since the
community have better means on how to carry out monitoring and evaluation and what
better actions can be taken against uncooperative members and how can all members
of the community be integrated. Moreover, community participation improves project
efficiency, financial status and the livelihood standards of the people (Subash, n.d).
3.6.3 Benefits community members get by participating in waste management
In most countries waste is still regarded as an invaluable material, but this can be a
resource to some people trough recovery. There are direct benefits for community
members participation such as capacity building and greater understanding especially
that community members are not expertise in the waste management field; however
25

their local knowledge is of great importance. Community participation gives community

members a chance to partake in decision-making, ensuring that their different needs
and problems are considered and integrated in all plans and activities (Squires, 2006;
Subash, 2010). Not only that, effective community participation guarantees better waste
management, reduction in unemployment and it improves peoples living standards
(Hasheela, 2009; Windhoek Municipality, 2010).
Other benefits include capacity building through education and awareness creation
campaigns of our societies. RCRA (2011) indicated that capacity building especially for
people at the grassroots level encourages pollution control, waste minimization and
energy recovery through recycling. Educational programs will help change the peoples
behaviors of consumer driven throw away to a more sensitized and responsible
community. Responsible behaviors make it easier for people to collaborate with the
respective municipalities contributing to effective waste management such as of
minimization, reuse and recycling practices. Moreover, capacity building helps
improving the communitys ability to negotiate with other respective stakeholders for the
implementation of a particular waste related project to be developed (CoW, 2010).
The CoW (2010) outlined that continued effective educational and awareness raising
programs at schools and at community levels need to be complemented by waste
management. Moreover, the establishment of a consultative forum for the community
members, private sector and the municipalities is recommended in order to openly
discuss waste management and related matters. Therefore, town councils need to
develop processes and opportunities that include or encourage the participation of
community at the local level (CoW, 2010).

26

Chapter 4: Results
4.1 General waste management in Eenhana Town
Research question 1: How is waste being managed in Eenhana Town?
ET though recently proclaimed and fast growing has put in place various waste
management measures. These include the draft of the waste management policy and
dump site plan, provision of waste storage containers, contracting local people as waste
collectors including litter pickers, establishment of a dump site and organizing voluntary
monthly cleaning campaigns for the community to participate.
ETC provides different containers at different collection points. General containers are
those suitable for the collection and storage of general waste, while special containers
are additional ones designed for extra storage and collection for either waste generated
in larger quantity, hazardous or medical waste.
Table 1: Collection points, frequency and containers for the various collection categories in
Eenhana Town (ETC, 2013)
Collection
Category

Formal Residential
Formal Business
premises
Open-Market
NDC Complex
GRN Institutions
Pre-School Centres
Primary Schools
Secondary Schools
Colleges
Medical Clinics
Hospitals

Number of
collection
points

Type of general
containers

Type of special
containers

Required
collection
frequency

599

85 L/refuse bins

2/week

78
2
2
20
3
3
1
1
3

210 L/drums
210 L/drums
85 L/refuse bins
240 L/wheel bins
210 L/drums
210 L/drums
90 L /drums
240 L/wheel bins
210 L/drums
90 L /drums
210 L/drums

240 L/wheel bins

6,4 m/skip
6,4 m/skip
90 L drums
6,4 m/skip
90 L/drums
color coded plastics
color coded plastics
6,4 m/skip

27

3/week
3/week
3/week
2/week
2/week
2/week
2/week
2/week
5/week
5/week
2/week

ET is divided into formal and informal areas of which waste collection frequency differs
and ranges between two times minimum to five times per week maximum as shown in
table one. All hospital waste (excluding medical and other hazardous waste) are
collected by the same local contractors (Fig. 9) and disposed at the dump site. Medical
waste is incinerated at the hospital.
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
Wheel bins

Skip

Drums
Refuse bins

Size (L)

Quantity

Figure 7. Type, size (liters) and quantity of bins at formal areas in Eenhana Town, 2013

Refuse bins and drums are more in town with 599 and 120 containers at formal areas
respectively while wheel bins and skip containers are very countable at 50 and 15 bins
respectively as shown in figure 7.

30%

30%

Commecial
Schools
Residentials

25%

15%

Hospital

Figure 8. Estimated quantity of waste generated (%) in different sectors of Eenhana Town, 2013

The commercial and the hospital sectors are estimated to produce equal volume of
waste of 30 %, followed by the residential (25) and the least is the school sector with 15
28

%. Waste volume in ET is not recorded. Hence, figure 8 presents only the approximate
quantity as approximated by the TC interviewed officials.

Kuumeketu
Cleaning
Services

Kale
Cleaning
Services

Wilco
Recycling
&
Unity
Trading cc

Formal
areas

Informal
areas

Dump site

Litter
pickers

Streets

ETC

Entire
town

Community

Household
& streets

Figure 9. Service providers (above) and point of operation (below) in Eenhana Town, 2013

There are two local contractors in ET responsible for waste collection and disposal,
namely: Kuumeketu and Kale Cleaning services. Kuumeketu collects waste from the
formal areas (both business and residential) while Kale collects from the informal areas.
Wilco Recycling and Unity trading enterprise operate at the dumpsite to separate and
landfill waste respectively as shown in figure 9. Separated waste includes cans, boxes
or cartons and bottles (glasses and plastics) as shown in figure 9. Other papers and
plastics are landfilled with other general waste. Litter pickers are employed and form
part of the local contractors as one of the contract requirement (1M. Asser, personal
communication, 24.07.2013). Each contractor employs 6 litter pickers totaling 12. The
community is responsible to keep their houses, yards and streets clean. ET is the
coordinating body responsible for overall waste management in town and for disposing
illegal dumped waste, collecting garden waste and building rubbles upon request.

Martha Asser is the Senior Environmental Health Inspector for the Eenhana town.

29

Cost (N$)

700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
Skip
containers

Illegal
dumping

Building
Domestic
rubbles
Collection type

Garden refuse

Figure 10. Costs of different waste collection types in Eenhana Town, 2013, N$1.00:0.10

Different collections carried out in town have different prices allocated as figure 10
indicated. Skip containers are highly charged with N$600.00 and illegal dumping is
charged N$ 300.00 per removal. The least charged is the garden refuse removal with
N$15.00 per month or upon request as figure 10 displayed. N$1.00 is equivalent to
about 0.10 .
Figure 11 and 12 below describe the way in which waste is handled in ET from the
generation points all over town until the final disposal. Recycling centers in Namibia
mainly do only pre-recycling such as compacting and final production is done in South
Africa (located at the Southern border of Namibia).

Households,
Business, Hospital,
streets

Avoid

Plastics

Transported to dump site

& papers

Separation (bottles, cans and boxes)

Transported to Ondangwa (pre-recycling)

Reccycle

Burned

Landfilled

Transported to SA (recycling)

Figure 11. Waste handling from collection until disposal. Circles is the recommended pathway

30

Collected waste is transported to the dump site where Wilco recycling services
separates the recyclables of interest and the rest is landfilled. Recyclables of cans,
boxes and bottles are transported to Ondangwa and later to SA for recycling (fig.11).
2

Figure 12. Dumpsite excavated pits (1) and the newly dumped waste (2) before landfilling,
(Lepaleni, 2013)

The dump site is divided into two parts as shown in figure 12. The excavation area with
open pits (picture 1) and the dumping side where waste collected from town is dumped
temporally before landfilling. In case there is no contractor to landfill, waste accumulates
to such an extent that there is no space for the next tractor load, under which waste is
burned to create space for the next load (fig.12 (2)). The pits are created when the
constructors need soil for construction purposes. The Unity trading digs the pits and
sells the soil at about N$65.00 (6.5 ) per m3. The TC does not have to pay the
contractor any longer in monetary terms. The pits are then filled with the remained
general waste including papers and plastics, building rubbles and garden waste among
others.

31

1. Plastics Re-use

Shopping bags

Covering books

Artifacts

School bags

2. Avoid generation

Buy only what is enough &

strictly what you need

Use shopping
bags

Carry in hand
small quantities

Pick only a plastic

when necessary

Figure 13. Plastic re-use by members (1) and means to avoid generation by Lepaleni (2)

The community pointed out that plastics can be re-used for several means in town e.g.
for school bags and book covers especially by the primary school learners, for arts and
crafts by the learners doing art subjects and as shopping bags by everyone. Although
being re-used plastics still end up in the environment. Thus a green pathway to solve
the problem is to avoid and reduce generating waste as figure 13 described.

4.2 Problems or challenges in Eenhana Town

Research question 2: Which waste management problems or challenges is
Eenhana Town faced with and what are possible solutions to mitigate them?
The TC identified several challenges hindering waste management division and
available solutions put in place to mitigate them. However most challenges are not yet
addressed thus possible solutions are recommended. For better understanding
solutions which the TC put in place and recommended ideas are put together in table 2
below. The recommended solutions are arranged in a sequence from easier to difficult
to implement. Italic is used in case of all easy to implement solutions. Only the problem
of long standing garden waste was pointed out by community members.

32

Table 2. Identified problems, measures put in place and recommendations

Challenges
Lack of awareness on waste
management

Littering

Solutions to mitigate by TC
Pamphlet publication

Very low turn up for

cleaning campaigns

Illegal dumping

Organized
monthly
cleaning campaigns
Employ litter pickers

Revisited methods of
inviting people e.g. use
of loud speaker
Provide rewards to
participants

Educate the identified

individuals
TC clean up

No full cooperation between

the community and TC with
regard to WM issues

Nothing in place

Limited staff member

Nothing in place

Pass by scavengers at the

Nothing in place

33

Recommended solutions
by
Lepaleni
Public education and training on
WM by:
Organizing workshops
Produce more pamphlets
Establish school clubs
Public notices on littering
Sufficient
distribution
of
dustbins
Employ local people to keep
an eye on daily litters
Fine individuals littering
Encourage
children
to
participate in campaigns
Enhance
communication
with stakeholders
Organize
competitions
between different groups
participating
Task schools, line ministries,
business and NGOs to do
cleaning campaigns
Employ specific individuals
to keep an eye on this
Develop and implement
strategies to reduce illegal
dumping e.g. punishment by
fine e.g. pay cash or
increase monthly bill for the
offender
Enhanced
cooperation
through
participatory
workshops
TC to organize social events
&
allow
community
participation
TC to develop incentive
measures for reporting WM
issues e.g. presents of any
kind
TC should employ more
staffs with relevant expertise
Give in service trainings
Take in interns from high
educational institutions
Raise awareness on the

dump site

Vandalism of the dump site

Fence to be repaired
Plan to put up a path
way outside the dump
site

No recycling of papers and

plastics

Nothing in place

Long standing of garden

refuse

Collection on a
monthly a basis or
upon request
Composting in the
TC garden

risks
being
faced
by
scavengers
Provide 24 Hour security
Collaborate
with
the
community to report such
behaviors
Engage scavengers in all
activities
Provide 24 Hour security
Collaborate
with
the
community to report on
cases of vandalism
Punish
the
identified
individuals
Advice on measures to
minimize waste generation
e.g.
adapting
use
of
shopping bags
Re use of these waste
Advice
Wilco
to
start
recycling papers and plastics
Initiate recycling groups
Establish recycling NGOs
TC enter in agreement with
shop owners to sell plastics
Advice on small scale
household composting
Small scale biogas plant

4.3 Measures to make and enhance community participation in waste

management
Research question 3: What are the possible measures or strategies to make
community members participate in waste management in Eenhana Town?
From interviews it was discussed that the communitys attitude towards waste
management in town is very bad, and the TC is not satisfied with the level of the
community participation so far. The community still has the mentality that waste
management lies in the hands of the TC because they do not understand that it is also
their responsibility to partake.

34

The TC in collaboration with the business investors, government ministries, NGOs in

town such as the Red Cross Society (RCS), Development Aid from People to People
(DAPP) and Namibia Planned Parenthood Association (NAPPA) organize cleaning
campaigns on a monthly basis. However these campaigns do not really work. It is also
indicated that people may turn up for workshops or cleaning campaigns but their
contributions through participation are minimal.

Practical business participation is

mainly through financial support and donations of t-shirts and refreshments.

Possible means to make people participate in waste management

What TC put in place so far

Provision of t-shirts and

refreshments during clean up
campaigns

Workshop recommendations

Capacity building through enhanced educational programs,

Involve all community members including children
Provide some means of incentives
Sufficient provision of waste separation/storage containers
Job creation
Organizing competition programs

Figure 14. Possible means on how to make people participate in waste management

These suggestions were developed through community workshop discussions (Fig.14),

of which Lepaleni (2013) further added the assigning of tasks to individuals and good
cooperation or collaboration between the community and the service providers.

35

Financial

Incentives

Logistical

Means of invitations

Travelling refunds
Social

Presents
Meals
Education and trainings
Tangible community benefits
Improved WM services

Figure 15. Different types of possible means of incentives

As an extension of figure 14, figure 15 categorized specific incentives in terms of

financial, logistical or social means. Logistical' looks at how invitations are send,
at what time and to which target group. Financial takes into consideration refunds for
transport costs e.g. taxi to workshops and or campaigns. Social include providing
presents to the community, meals to the participants, necessary trainings required by
the community (e.g. recycling and separation), improved services and tangible benefits
such as improved infrastructures, development of institutions such as collection and
recycling centers (e.g. community groups and NGOs). For OB no financial incentive was
put in place, but logistical and social incentives in form of education and training were
reached or provided to some extent.

36

4.3.1 Assessment of the communitys willingness to participate in waste

Number of people
attended the
workshops

management, OB location
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
18/4/13

16/5/13
Date

Figure 16. Number of participants: first and second workshops, (EMPYC), 2013

A total of 29 people attended the first community workshop of which 26 are community
members from the OB location, 2 were officials from the TC and a town Councilor
responsible for environmental protection. A lower number of 25 total participants were
recorded during the second workshop of which 21 were community members, 3 were
officials from the TC and again the same Councilor as in figure 16. The first workshop

Number of households
carried out the tasks,
represented at the 2nd
workshop

lasted for three hours while the second for two and half hours.
25
20
15
10
5
0
Waste separation

Shopping bags
Activity

Composting

Figure 17. Number of households represented at the last workshop and carried out tasks

OB location has a total of 100 households of which 68 received the separation bags.
During monitoring a total of 68 houses were monitored and have done the separation
although not all were open for all three weeks during the monitoring period. Even
though 68 households received the bags, only 20 households carried out waste
separation, 7 got themselves shopping bags and 5 started with composting as shown in
37

figure 17. All 21 participants indicated to like the initiatives of waste separation,
shopping bags as a mean of waste reduction and composting of garden refuse. All
participants further indicated that the ideas will work and are willing to continue and
strongly recommended the TC to proceed with the initiatives without any delay.
Waste separation
Approx.waste fractions , MW 1, Yellow bag
6%

Approx. waste fractions, MW 1.

Green bag

Plastics

11%

Cans
47%

Plastic bottles

30%

Papers &
boxes

21%
79%

Glass bottles

Mixes

Mixes
6%
MW 2
9%

MW 2
Plastics

6%

15%

Cans

Papers &
Bottles

Plastic bottle

48%
30%

Glass bottle

Mixes

85%

Mixes
7%
MW 3

MW 3
9% 3%

31%

49%

10%

Plastics
Cans
Plastic bottles
Glass bottles

8%

Papers &
boxes
90%

Mixes

Mixes

Figure 18. An approximate quantity of waste separated in 3 weeks at OB. Mixes is the quantity
of wrong separation. MW: Monitoring week

The quantity of plastics and cans increased by 1 %, while plastic bottles and mixes
fractions remain the same at 30 and 6 % respectively during monitoring week 2.
However glass bottles decreased by 2 %. During the third monitoring, plastics and
plastic bottles increased with 1 %, glass bottles remains at 9 % while the mixed fraction
decreased by 3 %. With the green plastic bag; papers and boxes quantities have been
38

increasing from week 1 until the last monitoring week from 79, 85 and 90 %
respectively. Mixed fraction decreased throughout from 21, 15 and 10 %. Note that not
all houses were open during monitoring time for all three consecutive weeks. Mixes
fraction were mainly papers in a yellow bag and plastics in a green bag.
Use of shopping bags
During the last workshop members mainly raised challenges and recommendations
after the mini experiment with regard to the use of shopping bags as shown in table 3.
There was no challenge raised on composting, rather a remark that they just started,
but did not yield a tangible result yet. With waste separation provision of more plastic
bags was recommended.
Table 3. Identified challenges and solutions through workshops with regard to the use of
shopping bags
Challenges in the use What the community should What TC & Businesses
of shopping bags
do
should do
Forgot at home or in
Develop a habit of
TC to organize more
another car
carrying shopping bags at
educational workshops
all times
TC to extend the idea to
Always put your bag at a
other parts of town
place where it is visible
Financial/affordability
Recycle old cloths to
TC to give shopping
make own shopping bags
bags
free
to
the
community
Organize itself into small
groups to come up with
TC to negotiate with
sewing
initiatives
for
business owners to raise
shopping bags
funds for shopping bags
TC to subsidize the bags
Some people still do not
Teach
others
the
TC to include WM in its
understand why using
necessity to use shopping
yearly
plans
and
shopping bags
bags
educational programs
Encourage
others
to
TC to secure sufficient
attend workshops
funds for all activities
All community members
Sensitize all businesses
should always feel free to
in environmental healthy
visit the TC office for
aspects
queries
&
further
information
Small size
Buy an extra big bag or more
Business to replace with
than one bag
a large size

39

Chapter 5: Discussion
5.1 Waste management in Eenhana Town
Research question 1: How is waste being managed in ET?
5.1.1 Waste collection and containers
As part of the waste management hierarchy, the three Rs of Reducing, Reusing and
Recycling of waste are very important in waste management. Three Rs cut on the
quantity of waste produced and discarded into the environment on a daily basis. ET is
divided into formal and informal areas. Formal areas have modernized houses in which
services such as water, electricity and sewage collection are maintained by the TC.
Informal areas on the other hand are comprised of shacks with mainly corrugated iron
sheet, but there are also some brick houses. Although some residential areas fall under
formal areas, collection frequencies differ with the commercial and hospital areas
because the quantity and type of waste generated differs.
Formal areas of Eenhana Town
Waste containers are provided by the TC, however business and formal residential
owners have to apply for the type of waste bin they prefer. For commercial areas the TC
has to approve the bin applied for based on the result of public health monitoring.
Environmental health monitoring is conducted by the TC before the business starts to
operate to ensure that the requested bin suits the type of business proposed before
operation. Skip containers are observed to be very few (15) and countable (Fig.7) in
town (because they are provided only at strategic points based on the size of the
business and type of waste generated. It is only a few business owners that apply for
skip containers. For a complex the owner applies for a skip container that all businesses
within the complex have to share; the TC then charges the complex owner. An
agreement on how and how much each renting shop within the complex has to pay is
made between the complex owner and the individual businesses. The TC charges a
monthly fee of N$600.00 (60.00 ) (Fig.10) for every skip collection.

40

With regard to collection, there are times during which business waste collection is done
more than two times a day especially with the skip container. This occurs occasionally
and mainly if the business received stock during which it produces a lot of cartons and
plastics. Households in formal residential areas are requested to discard every waste in
the 85 L bins which are collected two times a week (table 1); except garden refuse
which is moved in front of the house yard. The problem the TC raised in the workshop is
that the community mixes the garden refuse with other recyclables such as papers and
plastics, making it difficult to handle. The 85 L bins provided make it impossible for the
households to do any point source separation since only one bin is provided per
households. Moreover, it is made difficult for most community members to practice and
adapt the separation idea because they found it easier to simply dump all waste in one
container without making an effort to sort out different fractions in different containers.
Apart from that, the community members expressed dissatisfaction on the days the 85 L
bins are collected. At the moment the bins are collected Tuesdays and Thursdays per
week, leaving only one day in between. The members strongly recommended that the
days be reviewed. This will allow enough time for more waste to be generated before
the next collection. The community suggested that collectors can collect the bins on
Mondays and Thursdays. Mondays as members have accumulated waste in the
weekend, and Thursdays as people are facing the weekend and expecting waste
generation to increase. Taking into consideration these days will help the residents not
to reach the weekend with un-emptied containers which may smell and create
uncomfortable environment.
Hospital waste on the other hand is collected on a daily basis and special containers
such as plastic bags and 90 L bins are provided. This results because Eenhana is a
state hospital and it accommodates a lot of people including Namibians and Angolans
due to limited healthy facilities. This supports the point that the hospital street of Sam
Nuuyoma Drive (where the hospital is located) is always busy and so as littering ( 2M.

Martha Asser is the Senior Environmental Health Inspector for the ETC.

41

Asser, personal communication, 05.04.2013). Under worse cases this forces the TC to
arrange for extra hours for litter pickers to clean the street two times a day.
The pole bins and street drums located in the formal area are meant for pedestrians.
This helps to ensure that pedestrians do not directly throw or discard waste on the
environment even at places where bins are provided (Hasheela, 2009). However, it is
observed that some people still do litter even at areas where the bin is less than four
meters from his point source. Cases like these result because of irresponsible behaviors
of ignorance and negligence or to some extent that the particular individual simply does
not understand why such bins are provided in town. Behaviors of this nature cause day
to day visitors to take home a bad image of the town. Joseph and Nagendran (2007)
also opposed irresponsible behaviors and encouraged community improvement. The
TC mentioned that the town receives many day to day visitors and indicated to be the
most ones responsible for littering. This means people especially from Angola and
neighboring villages do not understand because such structures are not yet being
developed from the areas of origin.
Several investors are flowing in town applying for plots for either residential or business
purposes; terms and conditions apply to each. Extensive constructions at this time pose
a challenge to the TC because it has to make sure that building rubbles are properly
maintained by collecting them even not during collection days. A fee of N$270.00 (27.00
) is charged per load (see Fig.10).
Informal areas of Eenhana Town
Though informal areas are provided with street drums (table 1) of which they do not
apply for unlike the formal areas, these are not sufficient because drums accommodate
a lot of houses (more than four in one). Every household simply dump waste in the
nearest bin. Some street drums can be full already before the collection date, leaving
the community with no option but to dispose waste on the ground (Fig. 19 below).
Chickens and dogs use this opportunity to mess up the waste, giving more time for the
waste collectors to first clean up before emptying the container, consequently reducing
the collection efficiency as Asong (2010) and Hasheela (2009) supported.
42

Figure 19. Full street drum at Tulipamwe informal location in Eenhana Town, (Lepaleni, 2013)

5.1.2 Process of waste collection until disposal in Eenhana Town

There is only one dump site in ET which is 10 years old. The dump site is located about
3 km west from the central town. Apart from it being used as a dumping site the area is
also used as a site for excavating sand for the ongoing constructions in town. The area
is planned to be rehabilitated or upgraded to a special engineered landfill site. The
dump site opens from 817 Hours weekdays; however arrangements have to be made
for special cases such as afterhours disposal (ETC, 2012).
All waste collected from all areas in town are transported to the same dump site by
Kuumeketu and Kale Cleaning services (Fig. 9), excluding medical waste from the
hospital which is incinerated within the hospital as indicated earlier. Up to now ET does
not separate any valuable material for recycling at a point of generation, but at the dump
site by Wilco recycling company (Fig. 20 below). Wilco recycling separates the
recyclables of boxes, bottles and cans which are transported to SA for recycling
(Fig.11). However papers and plastics are not separated by Wilco because they are
mostly wet as no separation is done from point source, hence mixed with other
domestic waste. There is also a limited market for papers and plastics. Plastics and
papers are landfilled with other waste by Unity trading using the excavator. Excavation
is believed to be easier and cheaper to carry out and deemed to be environmentally
friendly then burning (ETC, 2012). Landfilling also accommodates a lot of waste through
compaction. Generally Unity Trading Enterprise does manages, controls and maintains
43

the dump site. He has to make sure that all waste is landfilled at the right time,
compacted to create more space, illegal waste dumping especially of building rubbles is
avoided, scavenging and vandalism is minimized if not prevented.

Figure 20. Wilco recycling separating waste at the dump site in Eenhana Town, (Lepaleni, 2013)

At times when there is no contracted agent to landfill the waste as contract renewal
depends on the progress, waste collectors opt to burn waste in order to make space for
the new disposal (off loadings) though not recommended. With ongoing discussions on
efforts to deal with climate change and finding ways to minimize air pollution, burning of
waste poses another problem because it emits CO2 (RCRA, 2011). Moreover, waste
burning negatively affects the health of people in proximity as they have to inhale smoke
which contains toxins; leading to cancer and other breathing difficulties in future (Eco
Award Namibia, 2005). Forbid (2012) supported that direct burning of plastics for
instance produce poisonous gases and smell which may heavily affect people in town,
nearest villages, nation and the entire globe (see section 3.3).
It can clearly be pointed out that it is time for Namibia at large to concentrate on
establishing recycling centers in the country and not only pre-recycle (mainly compact
and bale waste for transportation purposes) and to rely more on SA for recycling
purposes yet it is Namibia to bear the transport cost as supported by Yanna (2013) and

44

Eco award Namibia (2005). Additionally,

R. Louw, (personal communication,

18.07.2013) supported the same point that Namibia transports various commodities like
paper, glass, plastics, cans to name a few to different factories in SA. Glasses for
example go to Consol Company and these factories make new products for production.
Transport cost is indicated to be high as it takes up all the profit the company made.
That is why pre-recycling companies in Namibia have to compact and bale the waste to
increase tonnage and load one interlink truck with 38 tons (R. Louw, 18.07.2013,
personal communication).
5.1.3 Reduce and Re-use of waste in Eenhana Town
In case of ET waste reduction is of an advantage as it ensures that the TC has also
some time to use the space at the dump site while they are getting all necessary
requirements to upgrade the dump site. Reduction in organics at the dump site reduces
production of greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as methane (CH4), enhance
environmental protection and extends the lifespan of the dump site as less waste
quantity is produced and disposed as (UNEP, 2012 and RCRA, 2011).
Plastics though said to pose a great environmental problem there are still possible and
useful means to reuse (Fig.13) (Eco Award Namibia, 2005). Waste reduction is a priority
as reported by the RCRA (2011) because it conserves natural resources and at the
same time reduces the quantity of waste generated. Since nothing is done yet on
recycling of papers and plastics in Eenhana, the discussion focused more on how the
community can contribute to the reduction of waste quantity.
Some plastics are mentioned to be strong which make them better for reuse. Plastics
and papers such as newspapers and magazines are indicated to be re-used at schools
as covers for learners books. Plastics are also used as school bags though not allowed,
but a matter of no choice. Parents will then have to save little money especially the low
income ones as they no longer buy covers for their children. However, re-using plastics

Rohan Louw is the Business Developer for Rent-A-Drum NGO in Namibia.

45

as school bags is not a sustainable way because some plastics get torn easily and do
not last long. A plastic bag cannot be used for a week as a school bag. In addition,
plastics are reused by learners taking art classes to produce decoration materials and
toys (Eco Award Namibia, 2005). Nonetheless, using plastics for artistic purposes is
also not a solution because not all (in terms of quantity) plastics generated in town can
be reused for the same purpose. In houses plastics are reused to keep goods such as
meat and flour in freezers and for wrapping presents for visitors. Above all, these are
just options but at some point the reused plastics are yet to be discarded in the
environment because plastics get torn and wear out easily, resulting in environmental
pollution. For glass and plastic bottles or containers it is necessary that the community
start re-using the bottle containers that can be washed and re-used for water or any
other beverages for two or more times before finally discarded. This makes it easier
especially for learners that carry drinks with to school. However this is possible and
much easier if separation is practiced from point source correctly.
With regard to food waste, the community has a normal practice of reusing food waste
by feeding them to street dogs. People hardly discard or accumulate food waste in
dustbins unless under conditions where dogs fail to eat up all (which rarely occurs).
Though this is seen as a way of reducing food waste the TC indicated that dogs and
cats are not allowed in town. Moreover the TC has an agreement with local shops
where food remains are generated. The TC collects food waste to feed the pigs and
chickens at the community garden (Fig. 21 below). Eco Award Namibia (2005)
supported the same idea of feeding kitchen waste to local animals.
Although called a garden and being recently established, it was observed that only
chickens, pigs and goats are present and no plant is grown yet. The TC and the
community still need to do more by growing fruit trees, flowers and vegetables to sell to
the local consumers. A good progress of the garden will reduce organic waste ending
up at the dump site, reduces smell, and encourages community members to take
ownership of the garden and improving theirs skills as Sikabongo (2010) supported.

46

Figure 21. Newly established community ''garden'' kraal in Eenhana Town, (Lepaleni, 2013)

The community can also reduce the generation of food waste by buying only enough
perishable food for their families (Fig.13). This avoids food to accumulate in houses and
get spoiled before consumption. Cooking only enough food that the family can consume
in a day is also another option and not to discard food in the bin. Such practices are not
only beneficial to the environment but to the particular individual too because one can at
the same time save money that can be invested in other items. Therefore, it is worth
noting that the best way to reduce waste generation is to avoid its generation (Fig 6).

5.2 Waste management problems or challenges in Eenhana Town

Research question 2: Which waste management problems or challenges is
Eenhana Town faced with and what are possible solutions to mitigate them?
5.2.1 Limited financial budget
Having a strong financial security for a waste management department is a great
achievement. However finance has been and still is a problem in many countries as
UNEP (2012) pointed out that waste management is a complex and cost-intensive
services which requires large municipal budgets. To ensure efficient waste
management in town, enough budget needs to be allocated towards waste
management sections in the municipalities and town councils as Hasheela (2009)
supported. This enables them to have all necessary equipment and other materials that
allow them to carry out all tasks effectively. Machineries procurement need to be
47

ensured provided financial means are secured. ET does not have compacting tractors
and excavators to name a few at the moment because they are expensive and the
present budget cannot accommodate them. Hence, the TC ends up contracting local
business people with the required machineries. Even though the TC has to pay waste
collectors from its budget, the good thing developed as one way to cut on costs, secure
and utilize funds for intended purposes is a mean of payment in kind with the Unity
Trading Enterprise. Unity Trading does landfilling and waste compacting at the dump
site and gets paid by charging the constructors or builders an amount of N$65.00 (6.50
) per truck of building sand sold.
It is realized that most of the solutions to several challenges (as identified on table 2
require that the TC has sufficient funds and budget in place (see also table 6.1). To
support financial means generation, the TC can adjust the present bills such as
collection bills together with the community, but providing for instance extra cheaper
plastic bags for separation and aid in community recycling projects development. The
TC can also apply for donations from the private sector e.g. the local businesses and
banks. Furthermore, income generating activities such as waste separation and
recycling groups like the cooperatives (Fig. 25) should be developed. Cooperatives form
an important mean to socio-economic developments. Cooperatives form a mean of
business which provides employment, reducing poverty and hunger. Establishment of
cooperatives have further advantages beside any other community group which include:
enabling members to access funds (loans), benefit in terms of discounts, pool
knowledge and resources, produce and supply quality products and services to the
markets. The government created a cooperative loan guarantee fund which enables
cooperatives without collaterals to access loans from local banks (Rundu, 2012; Make
use of cooperative, 2013). The fund serves also as a mean of incentive to encourage
establishment of community groups.
Therefore, increasing awareness and motivating the community to collaborate and
participate fully in all WM activities can be beneficial in a way that the TC will no longer
for example contract a waste separator like Wilco Recycling; will contract one waste
collector and reduce on the number of waste pickers. By so doing the TC will cut on the
48

budget spend and save money to invest in other necessary equipment, projects and
community programs, or cut on water and electricity bills which may also serve as an
incentive for the community. This forms one example of efficient use of the budget as
Hasheela, (2009) and the CoW, (2010) encouraged. Though the TC can put in place
various measures to secure funds, expensive developmental activities such as
upgrading of the dump site and biogas plant for instance require larger amount. Hence
international collaborations and funds (e.g. Harelbeke city incase of ET) cannot be
ignored at this point in time. Therefore, the TC needs to maximize its efforts to secure
funds and reduce heavy dependence on the available budget.
5.2.2 Littering and illegal dumping
Littering is one of the challenges highlighted by the TC which results due to the
unavailability of proper control methods in place and the lack of awareness. Through
observations and informal chats, a few residents observed littering indicated that they
are creating jobs for the litter pickers because that is what they are being paid for as
one of them put it what will they do if we do not litter? No litter no job. Another resident
mentioned that he is creating jobs to the TC because that is what they are supposed to
do. Such behaviors need to be improved but requires commitment and good
cooperation between the service providers and the community. That is why awareness
and capacity building programs need to be developed and be intensified (Hasheela,
2009; MHSS, 2010).
Apart from that, presence of shrubs and grasses especially during autumn (at which the
study was conducted) were observed in town and form a good habitat where discarded
plastics, papers and cans get trapped. Situations like these increase the risks of
diseases such as Malaria due to favorable mosquitoes breading sites created. It also
forms habitats for snakes which pose danger to pedestrians. Hence necessary that
shrubs are kept short and free of litter.
It is also required that the TC provides or ensure that waste bins are sufficient and
distributed all over the town. This makes it easier for people to discard waste in the bins
instead of throwing it in the environment. People might throw away waste because they
have nowhere to carry that particular waste for longer distance. If they do, it makes one
49

uncomfortable and people looking at you might wonder. It is therefore important that TC
encourages individuals not to be the first to litter and to report all cases of this nature.
5.2.3 Limited staff members
At the moment ET has a division of Community Services and Public Health under which
the waste management falls. The division has two staff members: a Senior
Environmental Health Inspector and her assistant who was recently recruited January
2013. These staff members do not only execute waste management related tasks in
town such as monitoring and supervising contractors, attend to waste related matters,
do investigations to ensure the town is free of litter, day to day town monitoring and
ensure that the communities are provided with dustbins to name a few, but do also carry
out public health jobs such as health inspection of businesses and offering fitness
certificates. At a level of a busy town like Eenhana such tasks one cannot sufficiently
accomplish on a daily basis because this is also influenced by the current demand,
number of clients that the office is receiving as well as the number of field related jobs
that need to be attended to. Thus the national waste management policy by the MHSS
(2010) is calling for sufficient staff members for successful implementation of tasks.
From observations many clients do visit the office looking for assistance but 90 % of
them have to go back unattended to because most of the times staffs responsible are
not in office for one reason or another. Phone calls keep coming in and only a few ones
are being attended to on that very time. Cases like these are discouraging and are
affecting the efficiency and reputation of the department and TC at large. It further
waste the clients time and energy especially those that have to walk to office
sometimes more than two times a day either on foot or by vehicle none is cost effective.
This reduces peoples achievements and productivity of the day.
It is very important that enough staff members be employed for effective waste
management so that when some staffs are out there are others in office to help the
clients and do other office related jobs such as report writing, attending to emails and
phone calls. Moreover, sufficient staffs will avoid workers not to work under pressure
and stress as this may causes health risks and make staffs not to enjoy the job. It
should also be noted that high staff turnover is not an option and the TC should
50

anticipate situations like these by ensuring that a reasonable number of experienced

staffs are employed. Additionally the department should have consultation hours which
have to be adhered to, or encourage appointments which have to be respected. Further,
the TC needs to be providing in-service training to the young experts such as students
from high educational institutions such as the Polytechnic of Namibia, University of
Namibia, International University of Management and various Vocational Training
Centers in the country. This encourages students and gives them an opportunity to
accumulate and develop necessary skills while preparing themselves for the job market.
5.2.4 No recycling of papers and plastics in town
Having a clean town is an important component especially for the investors. Plastics
and papers tarnish the image of town which disturbs not only the scenic beauty of a
very green town such as Eenhana but discourages visitors and investors at the same
time. This affects the economic status and development of the town because no
investor would like to invest in a dirty town with no proper and efficient waste
management strategies in place.
As a compliment to section 5.1.3, using waste as energy source contributes to climate
change mitigation as it is more environmentally friendly because no much pollution is
produced from the recycled waste (Forbid, 2012). Due to absence of recycling
opportunities of papers and plastics in town so far, there was no better solution reached
during the workshop as what to do with the separated plastics and papers. Because of
lack of capacity, some community members suggested burning and landfilling.
Landfilling is the one already taking place at the dump site, but it is not recommended
because it poses a threat to soil and the underground water pollution as also pointed
out in Cheo (2010) and as not preferred by the RCRA (2011). The TC is very aware of
this effects, however nothing is being done yet to alleviate the situation apart from the
on paper City to City agreement with the Harelbeke City of Belgium to upgrade the
dump site to a special engineered landfill site.
Therefore, the discussion focused mainly on the reduction of waste generation (Fig.13
and see also section 5.1.3) to reduce the quantity that reaches the dump site. As
discussed in the workshop this can be done when the community changes its day to
51

day behaviors e.g. of not using plastic bags for carrying purposes and adapt the use of
shopping bags which can be washed and reused again for the same purpose.
Irresponsible plastic packaging is more in town where the cashier packs the customers
goods in plastics or the customer packs himself irrespective of the type and quantity of
goods purchased. In case the cashier is doing the packaging it also wastes time
because all other customers in the queue have to wait for him to finish with the single
customer. Moreover, employing a specific employee responsible for plastic packaging
will cost the shop more because every teller should then have one.
Interestingly the community members were able to provide solutions to the problem of
plastic packaging that it is better if one is to take plastic bags only if you do not have a
shopping bag; if you did heavy shopping that your bag can not accommodate or if your
goods are too heavy and your house is far. If you bought only one product for example
coke or sweets to name a few or any other good that you are to consume soon it is
better if you do not take or request any plastic. Although some learners indicated that
they use plastics as school bags, parents were reminded to get school bags for their
families.
For papers including magazines, newspapers and white papers, a good example can be
learned from Rent-A-Drum who introduced a system called File 13 in which all office
generated paper waste is discarded (Rent-A-Drum, 2013). File 13 is emptied and
replaced for free once worn out, but one has to buy his own File 13 for N$20.00 (2.00
). It is very important that the officers are aware of the significance of reducing paper
generation and need only to print documents when it is necessary to avoid piling up of
paper waste in offices and their houses as Eco Award (2005) added. However this
requires discipline and commitment.
In Namibia many officials have a mentality of resources being government or the
companys properties, hence they are not making an effort to reuse and recycle
resources like papers. Such behaviors need to be changed in order to save the current
budget and spent this money for something else essential including community
development, food provision for the starving ones during drought (below average rainfall
than usually experienced in a year) seasons such as 2013, shelter and food during flood
52

seasons (Pallett, 1997). Therefore, I believe that if a certain amount of cartilage and
papers are to be allocated per month per officer/office, and record of how much is
printed and for what purpose may reduce the amount of paper waste generated from
offices. Extra printing especially for personal uses can be charged on the employees
accounts and every official has to purchase an extra cartilage and papers if allocated
sheets get finished before the defined time period. However special cases need to be
considered.
Apart from that, Eenhana is regarded as a green town because of a lot of natural trees
in their natural environment within the towns area of jurisdiction. However, many people
though live in town still rely on the use of firewood for outside cooking (Fig. 22 below)
which helps them to save electricity units and cut on the monthly bill.

Figure 22. Use of fire wood in Eenhana Town houses, (Lepaleni, 2013)

Fire woods are collected from the nearest shrubs and trees which are few meters away
from the central town. Even though this is beneficial to the community it is not
sustainable because the town may run out of trees in future due to deforestation and
lose the motto of being a green town. Hence recycling waste for energy recovery
especially plastics that are not being recycled in any way will prevent and divert the
dependence of the community on firewood, taking into consideration measures to
reduce pollution as Cheo (2010) supported.

53

5.2.5 Long standing of garden refuse

The community expressed the concern of long standing garden refuse at their houses
as mentioned under section 4.2. This results due to poor or inadequate service
rendered by the TC which is responsible for collecting garden waste. The community
made it clear that the TC takes time to collect it and keeping waste in front the yards
gives a bad image especially when having visitors or throwing a party. The TC pointed
out that it collects the garden waste once every month at a fee of N$15.00 (1.50 ) or
upon request. After speaking to some household members during monitoring they
indicated that a month is too long for them to wait while having garden refuse in front of
their houses.
As a mean of managing garden refuse, the community should note that they also play a
major role just as with other waste type by transporting it to the dump site especially
those who own cars. How about those with no vehicles was the subsequent question
raised. In this case the TC should be notified at a right time for collection and disposal.
Apart from that, it was discussed that garden refuse can be composted and used as a
fertilizer especially for those with interest in gardening. The community can do pit
composting by digging a hole underground and feed the pit with the garden refuse. Pit
composting is applicable and more efficient even for dry countries like Namibia because
it requires less water; it is quick and cheap to run (Mazambani, 2011). This helps the
plants to grow well, save costs for fertilizers and for buying basic vegetables that you
can grow at home especially tomatoes, onions and cabbages. Tomatoes are mentioned
to be very expensive in town; a kilo costs about N$26.00 (2.60 ). It was observed that
about 95 % houses in OB have clear yards and the rest planted only fruit trees. Present
shade trees are natural ones left during construction. Therefore people can also grow
flowers, more fruits and shade trees for a healthier and good looking yard which in turn
also protect the environment since plants capture CO2 which is the main greenhouse
gas (RCRA, 2011; Eco Award Namibia, 2005).
Moreover, it is of interest to learn that TC collects and accumulate some of the collected
garden refuse for composting purposes, which is to be used for future gardening
purposes. Compost not only increases soil nutrients and enhances soil physical
54

properties, but also increases yield and minimizes transport cost for collection of organic
fraction to dump sites as supported by (Mazambani, 2011). If the garden is to take all
garden refuse for composting much compost will be produced in future which can at the
end be marketed to the local farmers. However, this will be effective provided good and
fertile compost is produced and packaged and that local markets have shown interest to
buy (Mazambani, 2011). For this to be a success basic training should be given by the
agricultural extension officers from MAWF in collaboration with the TC. Training should
not exclusively be on how to carry out composting, under what conditions, amount of
water to apply, temperature and amount of garden refuse to fill in each pit but also how
to produce a marketable compost to generate income as Mazambani (2011) mentioned.
Sufficient composting ensures that there is no use of artificial fertilizers.

Artificial

fertilizers are just not expensive but are at the same time not safe for the environment
because they contribute to groundwater pollution and accumulation of heavy metals in
soil (Engler, 2013). ET falls within the Cuvelai Etosha Basin under the Niipele Sub Basin
of which the upper aquifer is indicated to be at depths between 60 and 160 m b.g.l.
(below ground level) which represents the main freshwater source of the sub-basin
(MAWF, 2006). Hence excessive use of fertilizers can pollute the aquifer.
5.2.6 Low turn up of participants for workshops and clean up campaigns
Low number of participants is a major concern in ET, leading to discussion points and
information reaching out to only few people; more people still need to be sensitized.
These campaigns form a strong sign and good way of raising awareness for the
community. However, it is indicated that people who turn up for cleaning campaigns are
not the ones responsible for irresponsible behaviors of littering and illegal waste
dumping. Therefore, some other means of awareness raising that takes into
consideration the behaviors of the ignorant people need to be developed. This can be
by getting the communities practically involved in waste management activities.
Further, it is important that invitations are send out on time, not too early and not too
late so that it gives people time to share the invitations with neighbors and pass on the
message. Invitations can be send out three days before the workshop so that people
will not forget that there is a workshop to be held and on which date and time. However,
55

people still need to be reminded on the workshop day by various means of

communication such as phone calls, local radio stations and loud speakers.
Additionally, invitations should clearly specify the target groups expected. The mentality
that invitation letters delivered home is meant for elders need to be reconsidered.
Workshops should not only target elders, the young generation should be no exception.
Children do take assignments serious and they can also remind elders on points
discussed. Therefore it is necessary to clearly indicate in the invitation letter that
children such as learners from Grade 1 upward are also invited.
5.2.7 Other challenges
Other challenges observed in town include poor sanitation to some parts especially
those outside the Central Township and informal areas. There are still no proper
bathrooms and toilets at the informal areas and people use different toilets such as dry
pit latrines (Fig. 23 below) and constructing own plastic bathing rooms (next to the pit
latrine). There are also no public toilets in town except at the open market where a fee
of N$1.00 (0.10 ) is charged. However not every member is willing to pay for the
service. Situations like these forces people including visitors to make use of the nearest
areas that are full of shrubs and grass. This does not give a good imagine to the
visitors. It is also a mean of disease spreading and makes the town smells, thus
creating uncomfortable conditions. It is therefore important that the TC put aside budget
towards improved sanitation facilities in town including the informal areas at a minimum
monthly charge.

Figure 23. An example of poor sanitation in Tulipamwe informal location in Eenhana Town

56

5.3 Ways to encourage community participate in waste management

Research question 3: What are the possible measures or strategies to make
community members participate in waste management?
Community participation will not only help municipalities and town councils to better
manage waste in cities and towns, maintain a good image and attract investors as
mentioned before, but at the same time protects the environment and planet earth in
which communities reside. This in return ensures that the risks of climate change are
minimized especially if the community avoided waste burning and production of organic
waste reaching the dump site. Moreover, health risks due to diseases and injuries are
avoided and floral and faunal species are protected. The future generation will have a
clean and green environment to reside in, health natural resources available to
consume and a chance to cherish the beauty of Mother Nature.
5.3.1 Public education and training
Education and training increases awareness and builds peoples capacity. It makes
people understand why certain practices are important and to realize the significance of
good waste management measures or systems at large (Eco Award Namibia, 2005).
Awareness raising ensures that sufficient information on waste management has
reached, understood by citizens and that it is practiced or implemented. Moreover, it
encourages community to see waste as a resource for entrepreneurial opportunity as
discussed by the CoW (2010).
Another way to encourage or improve community participation in waste management is
to build and enhance peoples capacity (Squires, 2006). This can be done through
training programs that ensures continuous environmental health education such as the
establishment of school health clubs, workshops and mobilized community groups
(DRFN, 2012). Sustainable capacity building ensures that the respective community
understands the significance of waste management, why they need to participate and
that it is not only the town councils responsibility to take care of waste in town but to a
greater extend the community as well. Not only that, it is important to educate people
and make them understand the negative effects of poor waste handling of irresponsible
57

behaviors and how it affects their present and future life. Similarly, what benefits they
can derive through waste handling programs such as recycling and reuse of materials
that were earlier deemed to be waste products. In general, awareness raising also
increases level of accountability as Sikabongo (2010) supported.
Organizing community workshops form a good way to enhance community participation
since bringing people together increases the chances of community involvement, gives
members a chance to express, share and discuss their views and several issues in line
with waste management openly with others. It also forms a good platform to bring all
relevant stakeholders on board and to have an equal say. Community workshops
further form a good way to educate the community since it gives them a chance to ask
and add information on the topic of interest. Bringing people together further
strengthens the bond between the community and the officials as well as increasing a
chance for neighbors to know and learn from each other. These are same ideas that the
CoW (2010) is calling and encouraging for.
Additionally, members indicated that it is not easy for an individual to come up with a
viable waste recycling market, but community members should establish community
based groups e.g. cooperatives, (Fig. 25) or any other entrepreneurial community
group. This makes work easier and success possibilities are high. However, as one
member clearly put it the TC should not just sit and expect community members to
approach them in their offices because when sitting at home we do not know what best
practices are available with regard to waste management; or if there are possible ways
for instance of creating jobs through waste recycling until we are taught through
workshops as you did now. Therefore, the TC should continue calling for workshops,
educate and advice the community members if these interesting opportunities are to be
effectively implemented.
5.3.2 Involve every community member in waste management activities
Involving community members as early as possible in waste management activities
encourage people and improves planning (Squires, 2006). It encourages young ones to
participate because they see it as a learning process and as an extramural activity. It
further gives them confidence and understanding that they are also important members
58

of the society since they have the right to attend for instance workshops and have a
right to express their views freely. From the community workshops held, learners were
at first shy and not able to express themselves because they thought it is only elders to
participate and contribute. It was later made clear that learners and students should
participate if they are to be attending waste management related workshops. At the end
50 % of the discussion was dominated by happy and encouraged learners and students
who raised various relevant points. The same idea is supported by Subash (n.d) that
people (community) need to be activated and be involved for effective waste
management systems.
Giving young ones a right to say something also opens up their minds. During weekly
monitoring it came out that most houses that have separated waste very well are the
ones with children that have either attended the first community workshop, or the
parents have simply explained the workshop out-comes and or information pamphlet to
them. Members indicated that it is mainly young people that take waste to the bins and
do follow instructions carefully, which most parents might not have done or rarely do.
Well capacitated children also do remind parents to discard correct fractions in the
correct bag if a mistake is observed.
The three week monitoring committee has shown interest throughout the experiment
and described it as a learning process and also a way of having fun instead of being
bored at home especially during holidays. The student from the Namibia Training
Authority pointed out that being part of the committee helped him to better understand
his assignments on environmental protection. Others got to know their neighbors better
which they havent met or spoken to before, at the end increasing communication and
networking in the community. One community member doing distance learning at the
University of Namibia (UNAM) commented that the discussions and the presentations
made her understood better her assignment on Environmental Sustainability. This has
also encouraged her to seek further assistance for more discussions and clarity.
Apart from the positive experimental outcomes, some shortcomings were raised.
Learners (which were part of the monitoring committee) indicated that there is no dirt
job like that of being a waste manager. They complained of smell and dirty as they
59

have to open and look inside the plastic bag to enable them to approximate the
fractions. Learners finally recommended that if such monitoring is to be done on a daily
basis health measures to the monitors need to be considered. These include masks and
hand gloves. For hygienic purposes the committee was strongly informed and always
reminded to wash hands after every monitoring before doing anything else at home.
5.3.3 Provide means of incentives
To enhance, encourage and ensure a long term community participation, it is necessary
that some means of incentive measures as either economic, social, political or
developmental are provided as DRFN (2011) mentioned, (see Fig.15). It is indicated
that the community mainly turn up in large numbers if it is made clear during invitations
that refreshments are to be served or there are T-shirts to be offered for the
participants. In ET t-shirts and refreshments are the means of incentives as drivers in
place that pull people to participate in activities such as cleaning campaigns (see also
section 5.2.6). People attend because they believe they have to save meals at their
houses and have an extra T-shirt to wear or give to someone in need.
Social incentives include presents e.g. awarding certificates, providing shopping bags,
pens, note books, cleaning equipment, extra bins among others; to the best achievers in
a particular waste management task completed. For instance, these incentives can be
given to houses, streets, hospitals, private clinics, schools, locations and businesses
who managed to keep their place clean, cooperated well, adhered to the set up policies
and regulations regarding waste management in town, reported illegal waste dumping,
separated waste accordingly and kept an eye on littering and other irresponsible
behaviors to name a few. Providing some gifts or presents of any nature for the job well
done encourages the person to keep doing the same task well, or even improve on it
much better and encourage others to do the same. For others who did not receive any
present at a time it will be an encouragement for them to work harder next time.
Incentives can also be by financial means. Funding availability encourages community
initiatives such as of recycling papers and plastics, making community services less
dependent on donor funding as supported by (Muller and Laroui, 2000). Other forms of
incentives are the establishment of refund or take back systems. The TC can
60

collaborate with the local businesses to establish recycling NGOs at which community
members take recyclables back for refund as suggested by the (Eco Award Namibia,
2005). Each community member who brings his cans, bottles, plastics, papers including
boxes receives a particular amount of money. The amount has to be agreed upon by
the responsible NGO, TC and the general public. As an incentive to encourage point
source separation the price has to differ and more money will be given to community
members who brought already separated recyclables from point source.
Since storage of garden refuse is also not properly done in Eenhana, having
competition between neighbors for the better storage and composting of garden refuse
can be an incentive to make the community take part in managing garden refuse and
not to always wait and put blame on the TC. To avoid long standing of garden refuse
some other means of incentives need to be put in place so that community members
who have cars can make an effort to take garden waste to the dump site and have it
dumped at the right place as authorized by the TC. Some most encouraging incentives
such as the one month subsidy on the community members water and electricity bills or
a one month free waste collection service provision can be organized. However these
have to be discussed and agreed between the TC and the respective communities
considering the type of waste management task in discussion.
During the three week experiment it was not easy to organize presents for the OB
community because the houses are a lot (68/100); there was no special fund for the
research and time was very short for the TC to include the research in its financial
budget. However, as a mean to motivate the waste management committee that
assisted with the distribution of plastic bags, invitation letters, pamphlets and helped
with the monitoring: stationeries such as pens, erasers, clipboards were given out on a
personal budget since most of them were learners. Other items such as used shopping
bags were also given out and a special group meal was prepared.
The question encountered during monitoring was what are we getting after separating
the waste? The explanation given was more on the benefits arising from proper waste
separation and kept the question until the feedback workshop. TC indicated that
incentives for those who have carried out tasks very well will be developed when the
61

experiment is to be extended to other parts of town, but OB community will remain the
leader in these types of activities. For now the experiment was simply a pilot study to
see how the community will react and what lessons can the TC learn from it and discuss
possible areas of improvement.
5.3.4 Provision of sufficient waste bins
Sufficient and well distributed dustbins in town will ensure that littering is minimized
because it is easier for people to discard waste in bins provided they are at a
reasonable distance. However as mentioned by Asong (2010) provision of sufficient
facilities alone does not guarantee sustainable waste management but should also be
emptied and disposed at a right time and place. For the residential areas enough bins
e.g. three (one 85 L bin and two plastic bags which are cheaper) per household will
encourage people to sort out waste from point source as Eco Award Namibia (2005)
supported. The TC has to discuss and agree on the type and size of the containers to
distribute together with the residents. Provision of e.g. three 85 L bins will be a waste
because waste such as food remains will not fill up the 85 L bin before the collection,
rather a smaller and cheaper dustbin (CoW, 2010).
At businesses and on streets separation is also possible. It is important especially in
streets that the bins are correctly and clearly labeled with different colors to direct the
people. During the time of the mini experiment two plastic bags provided allowed the
community to separate plastics, bins, bottles and cans in one yellow bag, papers and
boxes in the green bag, and the rest in the 85 L black bin. However, these results could
have been improved if more color coded bags were provided so that for instance glass,
plastic bottles and cans can be in separate bags. For houses with more children it also
takes time to make sure they understand well which waste to discard in which bag if
many fractions are to be separated in just one bag.
5.3.5 Job creation to local people
With the increasing demand for food and space, every-one needs to be financially
independent. Since Namibia is reported to have a high un-employment rate of 51.2 %
as mentioned before, one way to create employment is through green jobs. Green jobs
62

minimize the amount of waste reaching the disposal sites; help minimize negative
environmental impacts, leading to socially, economically and environmentally
sustainable enterprises. This result because green jobs reduce the amount of water,
energy consumption as well as the use of raw materials which cut on greenhouse gas
emissions, reduce waste generation, protect and restore ecosystems (Shipanga, 2013).
Unskilled people are more neglected and have to struggle to find means of employment
and survival. Waste management initiatives form a good way to take into consideration
low and unskilled people. This can be achieved if waste recycling NGOs and community
groups are established; if municipalities and TCs employ local people in all created
waste management activities such as waste sorting and recycling. Similarly, unskilled
people can be employed as waste collectors and litter pickers (MHSS, 2010; Windhoek
Municipality, 2010).
Ensuring job security will not only improve the financial status and livelihood of the
employed people through poverty reduction, but benefits the community at large by
reducing crime rates and thieves which may result due to poverty and unemployment as
Hasheela (2009) and Windhoek Municipality (2010) discussed. Most importantly job
creation is at the same time helping the GRN in dealing with unemployment in the
country. Securing employment for the unemployed also prevents local people not to
concentrate on scavenging in dustbins in town or at the dump sites.
Members can organized themselves into groups such as cooperatives as discussed
before (see section 5.2.1) to recycle old cloths to make shopping bags and other
marketable products from plastic bags and bottles, glasses and papers. The TC officials
made it clear that if community members can organize themselves in to groups of
interest TC will not hesitate to support in all means such of providing advice, training
and securing funds to finance community projects. The good thing ET has put in place
is to contract local people who further employ local people.

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5.4 Additional means to encourage participation

5.4.1 Assign a specific task to individuals
By running the experiment it is realized that assigning a task to members to carry out
will increase the level of responsibility, ownership and accountability because no one
wants to be noticed not having completed the task especially that monitoring is done
house by house. This will also be a good strategy for those who are unlikely to attend
workshops to involve them in and by so doing make them participate. If the TC provides
tasks to the residents, does monitoring and provide feedback and ask for community
suggestions, it is likely to improve peoples participation because people feel motivated
and that they are recognized member of the society. However the community will carry
out the task if enough information is provided such as why they are carrying it out and of
what benefit is the particular task to them. It will further allow community members to
understand the tasks better and to teach others on the content of that particular task.
Assigning a task to the monitoring committee gave them a chance to be appointed as
the waste management committee representing OB location from now on. The
Councilor pointed out that if anything is to be implemented further in town they are the
focus group to be among the management committee, to provide ideas and advice on
how better the task be successfully implemented. Tasks further motivate members to
continue doing the job well, improve skills and build experience that one might use for
future e.g. for employment creation. For learners, tasks of this nature are good as well
to upgrade their CVs for job or internship placements.
5.4.2 Active cooperation between the service providers and the community
During workshop arrangements and deliberations it is realized that strong cooperation
among all stakeholders is of vital importance to enhance community participation,
because it ensures and strengthen good collaboration between the community and the
service providers. A good example can be leant from the CoW that has introduced a
Clear Bag system project in collaboration with other stakeholders and the community
(CoW, 2010). Effective coordination leads to more consolidated planning, better sharing
of activities and development. Good collaboration ensures further that cases of littering
64

and illegal dumping are reported, necessary measures are taken and pollution from the
dump site are avoided to a greater extend (Squires, 2006).
Moreover, cooperation makes it easier for community members to feel more
comfortable to communicate, discuss any point and propose possible means to address
present issues. A few example include a question on what happened to waste after the
mini experiment was raised. Unfortunately there was no special treatment done to
waste yet as recycling possibilities require intensive planning and budgeting which the
experiment time allocated did not allow. However, this will not be the case when the TC
will start to implement it further. Boxes, cans and plastic bottles are collected for
recycling by Wilco as usual, but the rest is landfilled. Therefore, it was strongly
discussed that the community concentrates on waste reduction through reuse.
Whether the community is going to buy plastics for waste separation when the TC will
implement the ideas further was another question. TC will see based on the available
budget upon project implementation or they can find means on how to get plastics
affordable by the community. During the experiment the TC bought the plastics because
it was only one location running the experiment. However it was clearly pointed out that
the community should note that if plastics are to be provided for free to the whole town
the TC need to be assisted financially in order for it not to run out of budget. The
community can be charged some cents more on their monthly waste collection which is
currently at N$32.00 (3.20 ). However necessary arrangements and agreements have
to be discussed and agreed with the entire community and all other stakeholders.
Apart from that, good policies can be developed and successfully be implemented if
good cooperation is guaranteed. For example: the TC together with the community
members can make and agree on schedules where every owner must put out the refuse
containers such as the wheelie bin, the 85 L bin or any other plastic bag on the specific
days, time and place determined for collection. Failing to put out your bins until the next
collection date will be fined or any other condition as agreed upon applies. From the
community workshop, members pointed out that it is necessary to provide advice to the
TC and closely work together in order to make work easier for the TC and for the
communitys benefits as this enhances better waste management. This can be achieved
65

by following the instructions as set by the TC, adhering to the 3Rs of Re-duce, Reuse
and Recycle waste. However, though the community itself identified such points, this is
not what they are practicing at the present time, but the hope is that from the
discussions held the community will keep the points of 3Rs in mind and slowly put them
in practice. Although such actions or practices require commitment, they are of vital
importance which the community and other stakeholders need to recognize.

5.5 Communitys assessment to participate in waste management in

OB location
5.5.1 Waste separation
Keeping the environment clean benefits everyone and not only the TC. Waste
separated can make it easier incase one want to reuse waste such as bottle containers,
plastic, papers and cans to name a few (Eco Award Namibia, 2005). An example is that
one would not like to pick for example a plastic bottle to reuse for juice or water if it is
under nappies and food waste because they smell. Generally, having waste separated
makes it easier for one to pick, wash and refill. Therefore separation increases waste
handling, reuse and recycling.
Even though many houses were closed for school holiday during monitoring week two,
this did not affect much the quantity of waste generated (Fig. 18). Plastics and cans
increased slightly by 1 % and plastic bottles remain the same at 30 %. This quantity is
affected by the buying behavior of people because many employees got paid month
end and had enough money the first week of May to spend, thus increasing the quantity
of waste generated despite the many closed houses. This gives an impression that if all
houses were open during monitoring week two then the waste generated would have
significantly increased. Mixed remained constant at 6 % because the experiment is new
and people need time to adapt it fully. Not all community members were giving 100 %
separation until week two even though the explanations were repeated during
monitoring week one. Furthermore, households that had wrong separated fractions
were again shown on what fractions to put in which bag while correcting the wrong
sorted fractions into the correct plastic bags. This indicates that the community needs a
66

lot of time to fully grasp the ideas and to be able to do separation properly. Hence one
does not except a 100 % results in just a short time period. The idea is supported by
Yanna (2013) who reported a positive and significant community result of separation in
a year in Windhoek compared to three week period of which this research covered.
Quantities of different fractions such as plastics, cans and plastic bottles increased with
1 % each during the third week monitoring. Many households were open because both
teachers and learners that went for the holiday started returning back to prepare
themselves for schools on the 20th May 2013. Shopping increased as people buy goods
for their households and preparing learners for the new semester. The glass bottles
however remained constant at 9 % as perhaps people have not bought and used more
glass bottles or have not done many activities that generate more glass bottles. One
more reason is that people rarely take alcohol bottles with to their houses except tomato
bottles that were mainly found in the bags. People mainly drink and leave the bottle
behind. Fraction of mixed waste reduced significantly from 6 to 3 % during the third
monitoring week which implies that the community made an effort to better separate
waste, which gives and impression that the aim of the experiment is met to some extend
even though there are still some households that are not giving a 100 % separation.
Peoples behavior still need to be improved through education and improved
cooperation (see section 5.3) in order to achieve one common goal. Although there are
always minor people that are not cooperative in any mean, the majorities do collaborate
and comply, and success of waste management related projects lies in their hands
Subash (n.d). Therefore, it is necessary that incentive measures be provided to the
committed members as a mean of encouragement.
During monitoring some members indicated that it was not easy to separate correctly all
fractions that need to be in the yellow bag because they are many and one needs time
to reflect on which waste supposed to be in which bag; unlike the green bag where you
only have one type of fraction to discard and leave. Although the green bag appears to
have larger fraction of mixes from monitoring week one till the last monitoring compare
to the yellow (21 %, 15 %,10 % and 6 %, 6 %, 3 %) respectively, this results because

67

the estimated proportions were recorded as percentages but does not represent the
actual amount or number of waste in the plastic bag.
The idea of waste separation at a point source is necessary because elders will get a
chance to inform and educate children to adapt at an early age; understand the
significance of waste separation and also play a role in waste management. Sufficient
implementation of waste separation from generation point will reduce the collection
frequencies e.g. from three to two or one time. This is possible because waste is not
mixed and different bins have enough space to accommodate more recyclables which
do not smell. Moreover, separation increases recovery quantity and recycling
possibilities, save cost and reduce waste at dump site (Yanna, 2013; Shipanga, 2013).
Therefore, it is anticipated that if the TC is to continue straight with the waste separation
idea people will not forget but will keep on until it becomes a habit. However, proper
information and logistics need to be ensured in advance.
5.5.2 Use of shopping bags to reduce plastic generation
Shopping bags get forgotten
Even though the use of shopping bags was appreciated by the community, some
challenges discussed include that the bag is most likely to be forgotten at home. For the
ones who owned cars they forget the bag in another car if they happen to use a different
car when going for shopping. Such cases are still to happen because the idea is new
and the community is still not adapted to it. Yet it is their responsibility to make sure the
bag is placed at an area where every household member can access it easily.
Members further discussed that it is not always that one plans to go for shopping.
Sometimes you end up buying goods if you pass by the shop when you do not have the
bag, where by you are forced to take a plastic bag. As a solution to this, members
discussed that one has to consider the type and quantity of goods you bought. If it is
one item you can carry in hand, otherwise take one plastic bag if goods can fit.
However, it is discussed that unplanned buying is also not economic wise because you
did not plan to buy such goods at that time. This leads to unnecessary spending of
buying what you do not necessarily need but rather want.
68

Financial constraints
Since there were no shopping bags handed out to the OB community, limited finance
was pointed out as a challenge especially if one considers a number of 7 of 21 people
used the shopping bags (Fig.17), although there might be others that did not turn up for
the workshop. Discussed ideas focused more on the TC to negotiate with business
owners with regard to environmental protection. Businesses can assist the TC to raise
funds to buy shopping bags or TC can subsidize bags. If the current cost for the
shopping bag in the local market is N$17.00 (1.70 ), the shopping bag can be offered
at N$10.00 (1.00 ). Necessary conditions can be set upon successful implementation
of such agreements. For instance, if one forgets his shopping bag then he has to buy a
plastic bag in the shop at a cost of N$1.00. This may be difficult because the majority
would not like to do it especially that plastics used to be offered for free in the shops.
For more discussed solutions and recommendations see table 3 (section 4.3.1) or table
5, section 6.1 for the implementation strategy and feasibility.
Some members still do not understand the use of shopping bags
This same point takes us back to the importance of awareness creation (section 5.3.1).
This was encountered during monitoring and posed by people who admitted not to have
attended the first workshop though received the information pamphlet. As a discussion
point on what can be done or what to do with these people, members indicated that it is
important to teach others what they have learned from the workshops and encourage
them to attend. Regular workshop attendees can also pick up others to meetings.
Another way to motivate others is by seeing others with for instance presents distributed
from the workshops attended as a mean of incentive as DRFN (2011) supports.
However these incentives will be considered by the TC upon implementation of all these
initiatives when all proper and earlier planning including the budgets are in place. There
was no any mean of incentive that the TC can assist to organize during the research
time because there was no enough time to review their financial budgets and see if they
can fit it in as pointed out earlier. Similarly, it also takes time because all procedures

69

need to be followed before any budget is allocated. However members indicated that
the TC should include sufficient funds for all activities expected and unexpected.
Not only that, in ensuring the successful implementation of waste management
initiatives, businesses need also to be sensitized in environmental health matters in
working together with the community. The ideas were discussed based on the
encountered questions in town such as why the cashier did not provide the customer
with the plastic bag, who told the customer to pack goods in the cotton bag, why
carrying goods in hand, why packing goods in your hand bag? At a point people laughs
seeing one packing few items in a hand bag, some look at you as being crazy. The
same point takes us back to the issue of social to behaviors discussed before (Joseph
and Nagendran, 2007) and environmental education. All that people need to know is
why such a behavior e.g. uses of shopping bag, buying of plastics among others.
Shop owners need to be reminded of their environmental protection responsibilities and
share with their employees. Similarly, businesses need to partake in promoting
environmental friendly ways of shopping thorough adverts and posts in or outside their
shops and providing incentives to customers. For instance, they can give discounts or
give few presents to everyone who did not pick a plastic bag from the shop. Generally,
TCs or Namibia at large need to invest more on environmental education.
Small size
Some shopping bags sold in local shops are said to be of small size. Although small
size is identified as a challenge there are also larger bags that are sold in local shops
that people use mainly for travelling rather. One can use that one larger bag when going
for heavy shopping. Using large bags does not only benefit the environment more but
serves also in the interest of the owner. Large bags are hardly to forget in taxis unlike
the small plastic bags, they lighten the carrying job because they replace five or more
package of plastic bags as members discussed. If one is to stick to the small bag it also
saves him from overspending because he has to buy in small quantities that his bag can
accommodate, thereby restricting your spending.

70

Chapter 6: Conclusions
Objective 1. To determine the waste management strategies in Eenhana Town
To ensure effective and efficient waste management, one need to ensure that best
practices are put in place to protect human health, protect and maintain the
environment. ET though newly proclaimed has put in place various waste management
measures such as: provision of waste bins to the residents, collecting and disposing of
waste, organizing cleaning campaigns, contracting local people as service providers
e.g. waste collectors, litter pickers and excavators. The TC has also a demarcated open
dumpsite that accommodates all waste from town. Since dumpsites are not
recommended the TC drafted the waste management policy including the management
plan to upgrade the Eenhana dumpsite with the assistance of the Harelbeke city in
Belgium. Having these in place however does not guarantee effective waste
management as the TC has several challenges to overcome as in objective two.
Objective 2. Identify the existing waste management problems in town and
attempts to mitigate them
Despite waste management systems in place the TC is still facing challenges such as
limited financial budget and staff members, absence of recycling opportunities, littering
and illegal dumping, dumpsite fence vandalism, pass-by scavengers, limited
cooperation and poor community participation. The TC has not done much yet to
overcome these challenges, hence table 4 (section 6.1 below) summarizes the
challenges, detailed solutions or areas of improvement, proposed implementation
strategies and their feasibilities. Taking into consideration these measures will help the
TC to significantly address the identified challenges on time and develop applicable
sustainable management strategies to anticipate future environmental challenges.
Objective 3: To find motivational strategies or approaches to make people
participate in waste management
While some people look at waste as a problem, others look at it as a resource for socioeconomic development. The community needs to be involved in order to contribute to
the local waste management systems and to address various environmental issues and
71

health concerns affecting them and the generations to come. Community members play
a significant role in waste management; hence various measures to motivate them need
to be developed to encourage community involvement. These measures include first
and foremost awareness raising and capacity building, provision of incentives,
involvement of young generation such as learners and students, provision of sufficient
waste separation and storage containers and job creation. Others include enhanced
cooperation between the service providers, community and other stakeholders in
addition to assigning tasks to the specific individuals or community.
It can be concluded therefore that the community is willing to cooperate and work with
the TC in ensuring proper waste management provided necessary materials are
available and relevant information is provided. This ensures that people understand why
carrying out such tasks and how they benefit from them. Waste separation increases
recovery quantity and recycling possibilities, save cost and reduce waste at dump site.
Moreover, quick and effective practice of waste avoidance and reuse will save space
and extend the lifespan of the Eenhana dump site. Therefore, successful
implementation of the waste management systems and activities including community
involvement is not something that one achieves in a day but requires time. Hence,
necessary planning and integrated approach is a pre requisite. Table 5 gives an overall
summary of the challenges that the OB community members expressed in the use of
shopping bags as a mean to reduce waste generation, possible solutions and
implementation feasibility.

72

6.1 Summary of challenges, solutions and implementation strategies in Eenhana Town

6.1.1 On general waste management
Table 4. Summary of challenges, possible solutions, implementation strategy and their feasibility in Eenhana Town
Challenges identified
Lack of awareness on
waste management

Littering
dumping

and

illegal

Possible solutions
Environmental education

Implementation strategy
Community workshops
Establishing school clubs
Information pamphlets

Develop strategies to reduce

littering and illegal dumping
Place public notices in different
areas on littering
Fine the offenders

Organize cleaning campaigns

Employ litter pickers
Sufficient distribution of dustbins
Employ local people to keep an
eye on littering and dumping
Introduce other means of fine for
littering and illegal dumping: e.g.
increase the monthly bill

How feasible is the strategy?

ETC should include this in its
work plan and budget

Low turn up for cleaning

campaigns

Provide incentives to participants

Encourage all stakeholders to
participate
Communicate and cooperate
with all stakeholders in efforts to
organize clean up campaigns

73

Ask community what they see as

the best incentives to make them
participate
Allocate
responsibilities
to
schools, line ministries, business
and NGOs
Revisit invitation mechanisms
and
information
sharing
channels

ETC to have a focal

person for organizing
clean up campaigns
Budget should be set
aside for paying litter
pickers
ETCs budget should
include the purchasing
of more street bins
ETC to develop and
enforce new fine
systems
ETC should set aside a
budget specifically for
incentives
ETC to employ a
person specifically for
outreach purposes
ETC to employ an
employee to follow up
on the status of
invitations send out

Limited
cooperation
between the community
and TC

Limited staff members

Review and improve the present

communication and information
sharing channels
Establish true partnership with all
stakeholders

Organize social events

Organize together participatory
workshops with the community

More employees with relevant

expertise should be employed
Trainings of potential personnel

Advertise WM positions
Take in interns from high
educational institutions
Give in-service trainings to
employees and semi-skilled CMs

Pass by scavengers at
the dump site

Vandalism of the dump

site

Enhanced security
Educate public for risks
arising on the negative
impacts of scavenging

Repair fence
Put up a path way outside
the dump site
Provide 24 Hour security
Punish identified individuals

74

Employ a 24 hour security

Collaborate with the community
to report such behaviors
Organize workshops
Publish information leaflets

Look for potential sponsors e.g.

office of Niipele sub-basin
Employ a security
Collaborate with the community
to report on cases of vandalism

ETC should identify the

best communication
channels and language
to reach out to the CMs
ETC and CMs should
come up with
organizing committee
ETC human resource
should ensure that:
WM positions and need for
interns are advertised on time,
in local media, in both local
language and English and that
all correspondences are made
on time
Providing in-service
training should also be
part of the job
description for the
senior staffs
ETC to have a contract
with the local security
companies
Set aside budget for
incentives and benefits
for reporters and
publicity
Responsible employee
should ensure that
information leaflets:
Contain relevant information,
well designed, eye catching,
available in both English and
local language (Oshiwambo)
Responsible staff
should approach
Niipele on time &
ensure that the fund is
guaranteed

No recycling of papers
and plastics

Avoid generation
Reuse and recycle these
waste types

Long standing of garden

refuse

Limited financial budget

Household composting
Development of a small scale
biogas plant

A sustainable financial resource needs to

be secured specifically for the WM
division

Advice community on measures

to minimize papers and plastic
generation e.g. shopping bags,
plastics to be bought in shops
Initiate community recycling
groups

Advice community on small

scale household composting
Proper planning and securing
funds for the biogas plant

Careful
utilization
of
the
allocated budget for optimum
output
Organize fund raising activities
for the WM division

75

ETC to have a contract

with the local security
companies
ETC set aside budget
for incentives and
benefits for reporters
ETC and CMs to
organize committees to
work together on
information
dissemination
ETC to advice, provide
possible recycling
trainings & CMs should
take up the recycling
initiatives
ETC to provide cheap
pit composting training
Senior staffs should
carry out feasibility
study for the plant in ET

Financial transactions
should be presented to
the WM division by the
financial manager; all
transactions made must
be accounted for
Set aside financial
budget for all activities

6.1.2 On the use of shopping bags

Table 5. Summary of challenges in using shopping bags, possible solutions, implementation strategy and its feasibility
Challenges in the use of
shopping bags
The shopping bag can be
left at home or in a different
car

Possible solutions

Financial

Implementation strategy

Develop a habit of carrying

your shopping bag at all times
Always put your bag at a
visible place
More educational workshops
TC organize more awareness
raising programs
Community to make shopping
bags
Community sewing initiatives
for shopping bags
Community support

People
still
do
not
understand the use of
shopping bags

Some shopping bags are

too small to accommodate
all the goods

Promote
environmental
health education
Encourage others to attend
waste
management
workshops

Buy an extra big bag or more than one

bag
Sew old clothes for a larger bag

Encourage people to develop

a habit of carrying their
shopping bags at all times
Change behaviors e.g. of
ignorance

Recycle old clothes and make

shopping bags from them
Community to organize itself
into small sewing groups
Negotiate with business to
raise funds for shopping bags
Supply shopping bags for free
Subsidize bags

Awareness raising programs

Sensitize community and the
commercial sector
Provide incentives

Encourage the community to buy big

bags or more than one bag

76

How feasible is the strategy

TC to held more
information
sharing
workshops
with
communities
CMs to try best to
change by adopting
new initiatives
CMs should engage
and commit to recycling
initiatives
TC and local business
to advice, train and
provide
financial
support
TC and community to
plan and execute all
possible fund raising
activities
ETC
and
business
should set budget aside
to provide bags for free
or a subsidy
TC to include waste
management
in its
yearly
plans
and
budgets
Secure funds for all
activities
CMs to concentrate on waste
minimization and recycling

Chapter 7: Areas of improvement and recommendations

Research question 1: How is waste being managed in Eenhana Town?
As discussed before, the TC should provide more dust bins especially for the
pedestrians all over town on both formal and informal areas and ensure that there are
public toilets. To introduce recycling, community initiatives such as recycling clubs or
NGOs need to be established (see table 4 for more details). On the future plan of
upgrading the dump site to a special engineered landfill it is important that TC set and
stick to the guideline and timeline on when a particular activity or task is planned to be
completed and who is responsible for it. Monitoring strategies should be put in place to
check the progress of the implemented structures, and identify areas that need
improvement on time. Most importantly the TC need should also develop reporting
system to record quantities of different fractions collected per day to help improve on
further researches for enhanced planning and decision making.

Well separated
commercial, domestic
and non-hazardous
hospital waste

Recyclables

Recycling
centers

Organics

Biogas/selfcomposting

Residuals

Landfill

New products

Electricity/
heat/
fertilizer

Figure 24. Recommended approach to sustainable waste management, Lepaleni 2013

Research question 2: Which waste management problems or challenges is

Eenhana Town faced with and what are possible solutions to mitigate them?
The TC needs to further develop the kraal to a viable garden which benefits the TC
and its residents, especially for creating more employment opportunities for unskilled
and other disadvantage groups. As a long term plan and development the TC should
concentrate on constructing a biogas plant on a small scale. The biogas plant will not
only accommodate garden refuse but also other organic waste such as food waste
77

generated from residential, commercial and hospitals (Mazambani, 2011). However,

conceiving a biogas plant requires proper planning of operational, technical and
economic aspects in addition to the feasibility study. To aid with the feasibility study,
estimation of organic fractions should be available, hence waste record is a pre
requisite. Alternatively, the planned landfill site can be fit with methane extraction pipes
for energy purposes (table 6 below). ET should consider investing in these endeavors.
With regard to the management plan of the dump site and improvement on other waste
management related issues, table 6 estimates the possible targets, indicators as well as
means of verification of the set targets and indicators. However, these will be relevant
only if the TC considers and refer to them in the early planning and as the construction
progresses to help the TC focus its planning and carry out all functions successfully
within the defined time period.
Table 6. Estimated targets, indicators and verifications of what to achieve in 5-10 years, CGs:
community groups
Issue/task
Dump site

Odor/smell

Leachate

Target
Dump
site
expanded, upgraded
to landfill and fenced

Indicator
Size of dumping site
expanded.
Landfill established.
Fence erected.
Odor from the dump Dump
site
odor
site minimized
reduced
Odor
controlling
mechanisms in place.
Avoid pollution by Leachate
collection
leachate
structures in place.

Recycling

Money is saved on Recycling programs in

waste dumping due place.
to recycling
Reduced expenditure
on waste collection
and disposal.
Waste
collecting
reduced.
Reduction of disposed Low
quantity
of Amount
of
waste
waste
waste to landfill.
reaching
landfill
Save energy and reduced
money
due
to
recycling.

78

Means of verification
Visual observation
Fence
Landfill site management
report.
Personal observation.
Landfill
management
report
Personal observation.
ETC
or
CGs
implementation reports on
the recycling Program.
Expenditure report on
waste disposal.
One contractor instead of
two or more.
Reports on the disposed
amount of waste.
Personal observation.

Research question 3: What are the possible measures or strategies to make

community members participate in waste management in Eenhana Town?
The TC needs to concentrate on awareness raising and environmental education
programs e.g. develop more booklets or pamphlets on waste management, a habit of
organizing awareness raising workshops more often e.g. on a monthly basis for the
community members to understand better the concept of waste management and
encourage their participation in town. Figure 25 below explains the possible example of
the community initiative of a cooperative to encourage community participation, and
table 7 estimates the feasibility of the cooperative upon successful implementation and
progress in 5-10 years time.

Inputs

Papers, plastics &

glasses

Target group

Un-skilled, disabilities
& unemployed

Recycling
cooperatives

Products

Startup capital

TC, local businesses,

GRN, volunteers

Arts and crafts

Figure 25. Example of possible job creation incentive for Eenhana community

Successful implementation of these initiatives will not only create jobs for the unskilled
and most neglected groups such as the persons with disabilities but it will also be a
mean to empower them as these initiatives will add value to their life. To market their
79

products the cooperative can participate in trade fairs, exhibitions, local adverts in
radios and newspapers.
Table 7. Developmental expectations for the cooperative in 5-10 years
Fully developed
management body
Manager
Chairperson
Treasurer
Secretary
Financial
committee
Disciplinary
committee

Fully established
enterprise
Self-funding base
Good
management
body
Improved
technical skills
Established
networks
Full support from
local markets
Established
outlets

Cooperative
Community benefits
registration
Legal
entity
Reduction of
registered with the
plastics, paper
cooperative
and
glass
directorate of MAWF
waste
More
jobs
created
Community
members
empowered
Improved
livelihood

In summary, successful implementation of all discussed solutions requires a collective

and inclusive participation and collaboration among all stakeholders. The TC need to
build on lessons learnt from the experiment and the thesis at large for further planning,
improvement and implementation of the waste management policy. Ideas need to be
implemented soon and be extended to all other areas of town without any delay. For
Namibia, as a country needs to concentrate in local productions and reduce on imports
in order to cut on packing waste; private sector should strongly work together with the
public sector to promote awareness and encourage local recycling to avoid heavy cost
transportations. For further research, one should try to assess the level at which the TC
has taken into consideration the proposed ideas and recommended solutions discussed
in this thesis, with special attention to community behaviors, distribution of bins all over
town, upgrading dumpsite, number of staff members and improved sanitation to name a
few. However enough time and project funding have to be available.

80

Chapter 8: References
Albrecht, E., Hoffmann, J. and Knopp, L. (2007). Basel convention on the control of trans boundary
movement of hazardous waste and their disposal. I.L.M. Selected Conventions and Treaties on
International Environmental Law (IEL). Germany: BTU Cottbus.
Asong, F. Z. (2010). Recycling and material recovery in Cameroon: Implications for poverty alleviation
and ecological sustainability. (Master thesis, Brandenburgische Technische Universitt, Cottbus,
2010).
Cheo, A. (2010). Municipal solid waste management and groundwater contamination in Limbe,
Cameroon. (Master of Science thesis. Brandenburgische Technischen Universitt, Cottbus, 2010).
City

of

Windhoek,

(2010).

Solid

waste

management

policy.

Retrieved

from

http://www.windhoekcc.org.na/pdf/infrastructure/SWMPolicy.pdf
Desert Research Foundation of Namibia, (2011). Incentives and benefit options for stakeholder
participation in IWRM in the Cuvelai-Etosha Basin. Windhoek
Eco Award Namibia, (2005). Waste and sewage, the worlds growing pollution problem. Retrieved from:
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Chapter 9: Appendices
Appendix 1: Designed interview questionnaires for the Town Council
officials
TOWN COUNCIL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS EENHANA TOWN
1.
Community and waste management:
How are peoples attitudes towards waste in your town?

Are you satisfied with these attitudes or not?

If not why? And how can this be improved?

To what extend is the communitys level of participating in waste management? (Very good, good,
satisfactory, none)
..
..
If very good - good: what or which positive contributions did they make?

What strategies did you (town council) employ to make people participate in waste management so far if
any?

If any, did these strategies worked or not?

If not, how can we make community members successfully participate in waste management? What are
the possible areas of improvement?

How is the communication network between your department and the community?

If bad, what can be improved?

If good, would you like to maintain this?

If not why?

Are there any awareness creation programs on waste management in your town?

Can you say there is proper community awareness on proper waste separation and disposal?

If yes, why?

Are there community based initiatives or projects (e.g. recycling groups) in your town?

If so, to what extend are these groups participation in waste management?

In terms of waste generation, do you think there is a difference between the rich and poor?

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If so why? And how does this influence waste management?

2.
Waste Management strategies in ET
What type or categories of waste are mainly generated in town?

Who collects the waste?

How often?

Are the waste volumes recorded?

Of all waste collected can you approximate the fractions of the following waste categories?
Metals
Glass Paper Plastic Kitchen Other bio
E-waste
Of these fractions, which ones are deemed problematic if any? And why?

Approx. how much waste (%) is generated from houses, schools, hospital and commercial sector? (Per
week? month, year?)

Can you describe the process from waste generation till disposal?

Can you explain how is waste being managed (facilities used) in your town?

Do you think this is sustainable?

If yes why?

If not why?

Is the town council able to handle all these waste?

How many dump sites are in ET?

How far are they from the central town?

What is the size/capacity of the dump site? (These can be asked when at the dump site)

Is there any monitoring of the dump sites?

If yes, who does this and how frequent?

Which parameters are monitored? (Leachate, odor, scavengers (animals and people), landfill gas)?

Any others?

What can you say about the situation of these dump sites? (Good, just okay, bad)

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If bad, how can the situation be improved?

What are the future plans for these dump sites? (Close, rehabilitate or upgrade to e.g. controlled dump
sites)?

What type of treatment if any did your town put in place?

Any material recovery? If yes, which ones?

Is there any waste recycling program/s?

How can the community be of use/ help with the maintenance or sustainability of the dump sites (If any)
3.
Problems or challenges experienced
Are there any challenges the municipality has experienced?

If yes what type? (E.g. limited personnel, equipment, and financial, poor coordination among others)?

How are these challenges addressed? Or what measures are in place to mitigate them?

According to the national waste management policy (2010) finance and lack of staff among others are
identified as challenges facing the waste management in Namibia. Do you agree to this?

Is there anything done so far for the past 3 years to mediate this? What can u suggest?

Other comments?

4.
Stakeholders and role in waste management
Can you identify the relevant stakeholders in waste management of ET?

Briefly explain the role of each of each stakeholder?

What role do these stakeholders play in enhancing community involvement (if any)?

General
Do you have an idea of what happen to hazardous and non-hazardous waste from Eenhana state
hospital?

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Appendix 2: Pamphlet developed

86

Appendix 3: Field experiment monitoring guiding table

DATE: .. Erf No.

Waste type

Approx. quantity (%)

Yellow bag
Plastics
Cans
Bottles

Plastics

Bottles

Glass

Green bag
Papers and boxes
85 L bin
Other waste

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Any observation?

Appendix 4: Second community workshop feedback tables

88