Compositional Analysis of Municipal Solid Waste from Tshwane Metropolitan Landfill Sites in South Africa for Potential Sustainable Management Strategies

The modern world has brought extensive socioeconomic and ecological changes. Urbanization in developing nations has significantly increased municipal solid waste, necessitating in-depth understanding of waste composition particularly in developing nations for sustainable management practices. This study aimed to classify and characterize waste while evaluating potential waste management methods. Mixed methods were used to examine landfilled waste from Soshanguve and Hatherley sites in Tshwane Metropolitan, South Africa, using techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence, proximate, and ultimate analysis. Seasonal variations in waste components were analysed over two seasons. The study identified that both sites are predominantly composed of organic waste, accounting for over 42 wt.%, with moisture content of ~50 wt.%, and minimal recyclables (<5 wt.%). Seasonal variations in MSW were significant for glass (<4% increase), organic waste (<5% increase), while plastic decreased by ~7% during spring. The biodegradable waste showed high carbon (>50%) and oxygen (>40%) levels, low ash content (<18%), and calorific values of 15–19 MJ/kg. Biodegradables mainly contained oxides of calcium, silicon, iron (III), and potassium with chemical composition indicating functional groups that emphasize composting and energy recovery benefits. The research provides insights into sustainable waste management, revealing waste composition at Tshwane landfills, aiding informed decision-making for resource usage and environmental conservation.