Student’s Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception (KAP) to Solid Waste Management: A Survey towards a More Circular Economy from a Rural-Based Tertiary Institution in South Africa

Oluwatobi Mary Owojori, Ratshalingwa Mulaudzi and Joshua N. Edokpayi
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Oluwatobi Mary Owojori: Department of Ecology and Resources Management, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
Ratshalingwa Mulaudzi: Department of Ecology and Resources Management, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
Joshua N. Edokpayi: Department of Hydrology and Water Resources, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 3, 1-23

Abstract: Students of Higher Educational institutions (HEIs) are regarded as major stakeholders of an institution and key agents of transformation in society. Thus, the environmental knowledge of students in academic institutions is instrumental in providing a solution to the solid waste menace and other environmental problems in the community. However, there exists a wide rural–urban gap in transitioning towards sustainable development across HEIs. This informed the current study examining the knowledge, attitude, and perception (KAP) of students at a rural-based educational institution on solid waste management. It also aimed to learn about the institution’s current practices regarding solid waste management and identify steps that can be taken to move the institution closer to a circular economy goal. This study presents the KAP results from a survey of 376 students from nine schools at the University of Venda for the conceptualization of a circular economy (CE) vision for the university. The results show that the knowledge of the students on solid waste management was low and inadequate. However, students are willing to partake in recycling projects to improve the current environmental state of the institution. This study also revealed that some of the students (41%) require motivation to participate in recycling schemes through economic incentives. Increasing awareness of environmental education and initiating participatory environmental programs and strengthening 3 of the key sustainability competencies is recommended as an effective tool to transition to a circular economy in the institution. Further studies are recommended in areas of gamified learning for CE and capital generation from waste for capacity building.

Keywords: attitude; knowledge; perception; student; recycling; solid waste; higher education; youths; circular economy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (10)

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