Implications of improper urban solid waste disposal on human security: case of Beitbridge.

Abstract

The essence of the research was to unpack the implications of improperly disposed solid waste on human security in Beitbridge particularly introspecting on health security and environmental security. In pursuit of the foregoing, the researcher used questionnaires, observations and interviews to gather data. The study looked at waste disposal in all the six Beitbridge urban wards and how they are a threat to the health of the residents and the environment. Study findings revealed that there are so many places with improperly disposed solid waste especially in wards 3, 4, 5 and 6.The implications of the identified improperly disposed solid waste to the health security of residents were laid bare and inter alia included exposure to gastro intestinal infections, malaria from breeding mosquitoes, injuries because of exposure to sharp objects especially by waste pickers and high risk of infectious diseases. Also, the improperly disposed solid waste in Beitbridge was adjudged as a threat to environmental security through the pollution of groundwater through leachate, increased risk of veld fires as waste dumpsites are burnt and the pollution of the Limpopo River by plastics, pampers, human faecal matter carried by floods. In light of the findings, the researcher recommended that the Municipality of Beitbridge do away with the Dulivadzimu dumpsite and construct an engineered landfill that is environmentally friendly. Also recommended was the execution of anti-litter campaigns, enforcement of by-laws and education of residents to be responsible in handling litter