Focus Area: Pollution and Waste Management
Focus Area Leader: Prof Jonathan Okonkwo
The vision of this focus area is to develop an integrated approach in pollution and waste
management that can contribute towards –
 the global and national quests for effective pollution and waste management for the
improvement of community welfare and health through research;
 the development of expertise among staff members in pollution and waste management at
TUT; and
 the training of graduates who can tackle and discuss the ever-increasing problems
associated with pollution waste management.
Pollution is widely defined as the introduction into the environment of substance or energy liable
to cause harm to human health, living resources and ecological systems, damage to structures or
amenities, or interference with legitimate uses of the environment. Waste, on the other hand,
consists of by-products of initial production processes, or discarded objects or material after they
have been used. Pollution and waste exist wherever there is a human population. The
characteristics of the problems associated with pollution and waste vary from one place to
another, and, over time, as societies develop. Although they may appear to be local issues, the
scope and magnitude of these problems are increasing, as population density and the standard of
living rise. This focus area presents pollution and waste in an integrated manner with the aim of
conducting research on preventing and minimising pollution and waste, managing the impact of
pollution and waste on the environment and remediating damaged environments.
The problems associated with pollution and waste began at the dawn of civilization, when
humans first congregated in settled communities (Priestly, 1968). Before this development, the
pollution and waste of primitive societies were easily absorbed and dissipated by natural
processes. As the human population grew, more pollution and waste were generated and this
resulted in the environmental degradation of the ecosystem.
Inadequate management of pollution and waste has caused and continues to cause many public
health disasters and chemical hazards (Fergusson, 1990) However, a number of recent
developments suggest that South Africa is responding to the global trend towards greater
environmental awareness and environmental performance. This is evident in a growing capacity
for and acceptance of the need for better management of environmental impacts in all sectors
(NWMS, 2000).
Since the generation of pollutants and waste cannot be completely eliminated, more measures
are needed to promote the reduction of pollution and waste and their general impact on the
environment. This can be achieved through research and development. The rationale of and
motivation for the focus area is to encourage and enhance research (basic and applied) that
could lead to application, particularly in the industry.
Niche Areas (not yet approved)
Industrial Pollution
Water Resource Management
Solid Waste Management