2.2 Production of waste materials

Social sciences

Geography

Grade 9

Sustainable utilisation of resources

Module 8

The production of waste materials

In South Africa, 42 million cubic metres of waste material is generated in a year. The largest portion of this material is produced in Gauteng. The average amount of waste material produced per person per day in South Africa is 0,7kg. The sector that contributes most to this stream of solid waste is the mining industry. They contribute 72,3% of the solid waste material. After this, fuel contributes 6,7% of the solid waste. Agricultural waste contributes 6,1%, while waste from urban areas amounts to 4,5% of the total. Sewerage amounts to 3,6% of the solid waste.

Such high levels of waste material and pollution are cause for concern. A large amount of the dangerous waste (such as chemical materials) are not treated or disposed of properly. Only 5% of the 5 million cubic metres of chemical waste that is produced eventually reaches the dangerous waste-disposal sites.

Activity:

To identify ways of disposing waste

[lo 2.2]

On your own:

Study the table below and identify the safest methods that can be utilised to dispose of waste materials. Just place mark the correct column with X to indicate your choice:

Assessment

Learning outcomes(LO)

LO 1

GEOGRAPHICAL RESEARCH The learner can apply research skills to study geographical and environmental concepts and processes.

Assessment standards(AS)

This is clear when the learner:

1.3 analyses and makes inferences from sources such as photo’s, maps, atlases, graphs and statistics [working with sources];

1.5 recognises information in the field and records it [working with sources].

LO 2

GEOGRAPHICAL KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING The learner can demonstrate geographical and environmental knowledge and understanding.

This is clear when the learner:

2.2 identifies ways in which Science and Technology have a positive and a negative influence on development [people and resources].

Memorandum

ACTIVITY:

ALL : Special dumping site