School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies (ETDs)

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Browsing School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies (ETDs) by Keyword "Beauty salons"

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    An Assessment of Beauty Waste Management Practices: A Case Study of Rustenburg Beauty Salons
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Knight, Jasper; Knight, Jasper
    The beauty salon industry is one of the fastest growing industries and is a significant waste generator in South Africa. Waste that results from beauty salons is a thorny environmental issue because it spans from different waste types and sources. Futhermore it requires waste treatment and different disposal methods. In view of this, this study seeks to assess waste management practices of beauty salons in Rustenburg, South Africa, in order to identify the types of waste salons generate and to identify recommendations that can assist beauty salons to be environmentally sustainable by improving their waste management practices. The aim of the research is to understand how beauty salon waste is discarded and to what degree beauty salon personnel understand the impacts of waste on the environment. The objectives of this research are to (1) determine the total amount of waste produced by selected beauty salons in Rustenburg, (2) identify the waste management practices undertaken by the beauty salons, (3) explore the challenges the beauty salons face in relation to waste management, and (4) identify recommendations of how beauty salons in South Africa can further improve their waste management practices. This study employed a mixed methods design through quantifying the amount of waste the selected beauty salons generate over a two month period, and by interviewing salon personell on their views on salon waste and waste management practices. Fifteen salons were surveyed. Results were analyzed using thematic analysis. The results show that the all the beauty salons combined produce a total annual estimated waste of 4732.2 kg. Through interviews, the study identified waste management practices of the beauty salons to be primarily premised on discarding waste in dustbins for municipal collection, burning waste, or dumping waste in unregulated dumping sites when waste service delivery poses challenges. These three practices are the most common modes of waste disposal in the Rustenburg beauty salons. Issues of waste management facing beauty salons includes lack of waste facilities and lack of knowledge about waste management. The major recommendation from beauty salons and civil (professional) organisations was for government to provide beauty salons with better infrastructure for waste sorting, recycling, pick-up and disposal. Promotion of good practice and awareness campaigns were cited as recommendations to improve waste management practices in beauty salons