South African Desmond D’Sa received a Goldman Environmental Prize for successfully shutting down a toxic waste dump in south Durban.

In 1990, a large waste management company Wastemanopened a landfill to accommodate hazardous waste from nearby plants. According to the Goldman Environmental Prize website, large trucks illegally hauled toxic waste from oil and chemical factories, medical facilities, shipyards and factory farms. The waste reportedly contaminated the soil and groundwater in residential communities nearby the landfill.

D’Sa co-founded the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), which ran a campaign to shut down the dump when the operating company’s lease was due for renewal.

D’Sa organised residents, developing a smell chart to help them identify toxic chemicals they were being exposed to, and training them to scientifically measure air quality in their communities without sophisticated equipment. He also connected residents with legal resources for support and advice on their right to a safe and healthy environment.

Facing growing community opposition, Wasteman announced in August 2010 that it was withdrawing its application to expand the toxic waste dump, and officially closed and ceased all operations atthe landfill in November 2011.

D’Sa and the SDCEA is now fighting the expansion of Durban’s port, a $10-billion project that stands to displace thousands of people and exacerbate problems such as waste management, pollution, and traffic.