Household Waste Management Behaviour Amongst Residents in an Informal Settlement in Durban, South Africa

In South Africa, household waste management is a significant challenge in informal settlements, as most of these lack basic waste management infrastructure, and the government's waste management services are limited. Understanding waste management behaviour is therefore critical in addressing underlying challenges and improving waste management practices in such settlements. Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour, this study conducted a cross-sectional survey amongst 226 residents at the Shannon Drive informal settlement in Durban, South Africa. The findings suggest that whilst individuals have a positive attitude towards managing their household waste, they believe that it is solely the responsibility of the municipality to manage this in their area, which could have implications for waste management policies and programs. The findings suggest that there is a need for continued education and outreach efforts to promote positive behaviour towards household waste management