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A Review of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Their Application in Sustainable Solid Waste Management

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  • Benett Siyabonga Madonsela

    (Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Florida Campus, Roodepoort 1709, South Africa
    Department of Environmental and Occupational Studies, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Corner of Hanover and Tennant Street, Zonnebloem, Cape Town 8000, South Africa)

  • Khomotso Semenya

    (Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Florida Campus, Roodepoort 1709, South Africa)

  • Karabo Shale

    (School of Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Studies, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Pretoria 0001, South Africa)

Abstract

Indigenous communities have always used their knowledge systems to improve their quality of life. For example, rural communities’ resort to indigenous cultural practices to manage their own waste when local administration lacks coordinated ways to manage waste. In the context of indigenous knowledge systems, the idea of waste is non-existent. As indigenous knowledge is believed to provide a holistic framework for an approach that effectively promotes sustainability. As such, the current study conducted a systematic review to evaluate the extent to which indigenous solid waste management practices contribute to sustainable waste disposal methods. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines, a literature search was carried out in the field of indigenous solid waste management practices. The results indicate a significant imbalance in the amount of conclusive evidence that has been produced to date that suggests the sustainability of indigenous solid waste management practices. It is for this reason that the current study has discovered a substantial literature gap in sustainable solid waste management associated with indigenous knowledge systems. This is an unprecedented trend, especially for a knowledge system that is supposed to promote sustainability practices. However, to improve the likelihood of incorporating indigenous solid waste disposal methods into modern practices, it is imperative to understand the foundational elements that contribute to the advancement of sustainability, lest the sustainability aspect associated with this knowledge system in the discipline of solid waste management remain a mere rhetoric.

Suggested Citation

  • Benett Siyabonga Madonsela & Khomotso Semenya & Karabo Shale, 2024. "A Review of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Their Application in Sustainable Solid Waste Management," World, MDPI, vol. 5(2), pages 1-21, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jworld:v:5:y:2024:i:2:p:12-239:d:1374331
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. C. Otutubikey Izugbara & J. O. Umoh, 2004. "Indigenous Waste Management Practices among the Ngwa of Southeastern Nigeria: Some Lessons and Policy Implications," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 24(2), pages 87-92, June.
    2. Mpinane Flory Senekane & Agnes Makhene & Suzan Oelofse, 2022. "A Critical Analysis of Indigenous Systems and Practices of Solid Waste Management in Rural Communities: The Case of Maseru in Lesotho," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-24, September.
    3. Noah Yakah & Mahrokh Samavati & Augustine Akuoko Kwarteng & Andrew Martin & Anthony Simons, 2023. "Prospects of Waste Incineration for Improved Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Management in Ghana—A Review," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 5(3), pages 1-15, August.
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