The viability of waste disposal facility management as an alternative energy source in South Africa

Abstract

The world has an energy problem and the root cause of this problem is the growing world population and the energy consumption per capita. The main source of energy, oil, is gradually running out. The use of coal, oil and fossil energy sources are polluting the planet with greenhouse gasses (GHG).Internationally waste disposal facilities are currently providing energy to industry and humans. This research determines if waste disposal facilities in South Africa can produce a viable source of energy. The exploratory research process involved structured interviews with key informants and experts in the waste disposal facility management in South Africa. A survey questionnaire was sent to waste disposal facility managers and this questionnaire was close-ended questions. The structured questionnaire consisted mainly of open-ended questions. The data collected from the questionnaires and the surveys were analysed through descriptive statistics and content analysis. The results of the research were that waste disposal facilities in South Africa, not all, could produce energy that can be integrated into the Eskom grid, and will also contribute significantly in the reduction of harmful GHG, and to the Clean Development Mechanism.