Understanding the Socio-Demographic Profile of Waste Re-Users in a Suburban Setting in South Africa

Samantha Louise Lange, Mpinane Flory Senekane and Nisha Naicker
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Samantha Louise Lange: Water and Health Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa
Mpinane Flory Senekane: Environmental Health Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa
Nisha Naicker: Environmental Health Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa

Resources, 2022, vol. 11, issue 5, 1-11

Abstract: Minimising waste through re-use thereof is the third tier of the waste minimisation hierarchy. Understanding the socio-demographic profile of waste re-users can assist in developing effective waste minimisation strategies and programmes. The objective of this paper was to understand the socio-demographic profile of waste re-users and determine whether this affected their re-use activities and pro-environmental behaviour (PEB). This was a cross-sectional study conducted in three randomly selected suburbs in Gauteng, South Africa ( n = 150). The data was retrieved using a questionnaire and multivariate analysis using a MAONVA test was conducted to assess which factors were associated with PEB and waste re-use. Women re-used plastic containers more than males and homeowners re-used glass jars more than tenants. The level of education had no significant bearing on specific re-use activities. Multivariate analysis results indicate that gender, age groups and type/status of homeownership played a significant role in statements that negatively influence waste re-use. Based on the results of this study, the best candidates for re-use activities and PEB in suburban communities in South Africa are women homeowners aged between 31 and 50 years.

Keywords: domestic waste; re-use; pro-environmental behaviour; gender; waste minimisation; socio-demographics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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