Development Studies

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/10564

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    Para Kore : an alternative voice for a zero waste world : a research project presented to Massey University in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of International Development, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Institute of Development Studies, Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2019) Banfield, Jane
    Issues of solid waste pollution are viewed as a serious threat to the global Sustainable Development Goals. Waste minimisation in New Zealand centres around a loose government policy framework underpinned by a neoliberal belief in market-driven solutions from the business sector. The traditional ‘waste hierarchy’ model (Reduce-Reuse-Recycle-Recover) remains at the core of legislation, while the more recently developed ‘Circular Economy’ model is increasingly viewed by both state and business sector as offering new hope. However, strategies for waste minimisation in New Zealand are still failing to reduce waste, as exemplified by the annual growth in waste-to-landfill rates. Given the failures mentioned above, this research looked to investigate the merits of an alternative indigenous approach to waste minimisation based upon a different epistemology. Framed by a hope-filled post-development outlook, an in-depth critique of current literature regarding mainstream waste minimisation strategies was undertaken alongside a qualitative case study with Para Kore Marae Inc., a Māori not-for-profit organisation active in 12 regions of New Zealand. The study revealed there are contradictions within mainstream waste minimisation strategies. Resolution of waste issues is constrained by political adherence to neoliberal economic theory which promotes continuous growth in production and consumption. A dominant metanarrative around waste has developed allowing the collective impact of factors incompatible with waste eradication to remain unacknowledged and unaddressed by state actors. The Para Kore model contrasts significantly with technocentric state-led approaches. Para Kore Marae Inc. views solid waste issues through the spiritual lens of kaitiakitanga, the relationship and consequent responsibility of each person to the natural world. For participants adopting a Para Kore approach, intrinsic motivation developed to align waste reduction behaviours with personal values and cultural principles. In addition to reducing waste-to-landfill, the Para Kore approach resulted in holistic improvements to individual and community wellbeing. Cost and time constraints to waste reduction were not found to be an issue. The most significant challenge to the model was ‘burnout’ experienced by the ‘champion’ facilitators. The Para Kore approach is identified as reflecting the emergent post-neoliberal political framework, the ‘Politics of Belonging’. It is concluded that Para Kore’s approach has significant value not only in engendering waste reduction behaviours within organisations and households but also in reinvigorating individual and community wellbeing.
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    Small-scale composting enterprise initiatives : a study of four Jakarta, Indonesia based small-scale composting schemes within the solid waste management framework : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Development Studies at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2001) Purwanti, Krissanti Juni
    Urban development creates its own problems. Solid waste management is one of them. The Municipal Government of Jakarta, Indonesia deemed it urgent to cope with this problem in a more integrated manner that includes 'Reduce, Reuse and Recycle' approaches. Composting is deemed importance in the solid waste management process. It process refused materials into fertilizer and, thus, puts them back in the food production cycle. Moreover, since lack of budget is one of the problems in dealing with waste, the growing interest in community-based and participatory approaches and the growing importance of NGOs role, are seen as more economical. This study focuses on the small-scale community-based composting enterprise schemes for the purpose of generating recommendations for the improvement of the scheme within the framework of solid waste management system in Jakarta. A study case was conducted and semi-structured interviews was employed to address the following questions: what were the benefits of the scheme for the people involved and their local neighbourhoods; what were the roles of NGOs and the municipal government in the scheme; what were the methods and approaches applied and how to ensure projects success? A case study framework was used to examine data collected during the field research in order to understand how the small-scale community-based composting schemes could contribute to the municipal solid waste management system in Jakarta. The results of this study were used to generate options to enable the municipal government to improve the scheme implementation in the future. The research concluded that this scheme is beneficial and could help the municipal government in coping with urban solid waste problems, in terms of decreasing the amount of waste to be landfilled, reducing the costs to be borne by the municipal government, providing a better service to those living in a lower socio-economic areas and creating employment opportunities. In the long run, together with the reduce and recycle approaches, it can be headed toward an urban agriculture, to create a more toward self-sufficient urban area. This research also generated suggestions for privatization and encouragement of people's participation through among others, the provision of simpler an easier credit loans schemes, education regarding the importance of compost and the participation of NGOs and other support institutions, such as universities/academic institutions in the process. Amongst the options is to put these organizations in the front line to disseminate information and conduct training on recycling and composting.
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    Community-based urban solid waste management : a case study of Suva, Fiji : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Development Studies at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2007) Will, Anja Sabine
    The rising solid waste generation and the change of solid waste composition to higher volumes of packaging materials have created concerning health and environmental threats in developing cities. Municipal authorities do not possess the necessary capacities to cope with current levels of solid waste generation and its increasing complexity. This often leads to inadequate solid waste services, in particular, in the poorer settlements such as low-income, peri-urban and squatter communities. With this concern in mind, this study attempted to explore effective ways for improving solid waste management in urban developing communities. Using quantitative and qualitative data from three squatter communities in Suva, Fiji, solid waste management was studied in the context of a Pacific Island country. Household interviews, observations and informal walks were carried out in the selected communities. For the purpose of contextual knowledge, semi-structured interviews were conducted with several organisations and authorities concerned with urban development and solid waste management in Suva. This study argues that the usage of unsafe solid waste practices, such as burning, burying and dumping of waste in the approached communities, are a result of an absence of sound solid waste storage and disposal facilities, lack of awareness and knowledge, and the lack of partnerships between the communities and governmental authorities and also between communities and non-governmental organisations in Suva. Furthermore, this study argues that top-down communication caused through hierarchical structures, has created passive communities, which alone cannot manage external and internal pressures, including rising solid waste accumulation. At the same time, strained social structures due to increasingly diverse communities, pressing land issues and the disintegration of traditional networks, within the communities studied, have decreased community cohesiveness and thus the participation in communal activities, such as cleaning campaigns. This study concludes that effective and trustful partnerships between communities and public and private agencies have to be established in order to successfully implement alternative solutions for the provision of solid waste services in urban communities. Considering the increasing heterogeneity and vulnerability of urban communities, affordable and holistic strategies, which address the root cause of rising solid waste problems, are necessary. Policy makers have to put more emphasis on the needs of the urban poor and marginalised communities in order to reduce inequalities and poverty.
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    Gender roles in environmental household waste management : a case study in Palmerston North, New Zealand : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in the Institute of Development Studies at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2001) Tiwari, Narayani
    This research examines the roles of gender in environmental household waste management in New Zealand. Gender activities play an important role in environmental household waste management as shown by the Household Survey 2000. The survey result confirmed that a clear understanding of the perceptions of both men and women is required in managing the sustainable environmental household waste management. Educational level, occupational status, and demographic characteristics are key factors in determining household waste management strategies in order to maintain a sustainable environment in New Zealand. This study was carried out in Palmerston North. The objectives were to: Explore the relationship between gender; household waste management and environmental sustainability to identify whether there are gender differences in environmental management practices. In addition this study examines household waste management practices in Palmerston North and to investigate ways of improving household waste management practices in New Zealand. Data analysis was based on 266 households by survey questionnaires. Results showed that household waste management practices are influenced by the demographic factors age, gender, education occupation and income level. The results also show that women, rather than men, handle household waste. Female participation was mostly involved in recycling, composting and landfill activities. The final research results show that: Women's participation was found to be higher than that of men in managing household waste. Demographic characteristics appear to have a direct relation to gender and household waste management. There is a positive relationship between socio-economic status (education, occupation and socio-economic class) and household waste management. Based on the research results, different types of policy implications, suggestions and recommendations are addressed to improve environmental household waste management in Palmerston North, New Zealand.