Attitudes and practices of households toward waste management and recycling in Nelson Mandela Bay

South Africa faces a growing population and a rapidly increasing rate of urbanisation that has resulted in increased waste generation, thus further contributing to problems of pollution, health hazards and resource conservation. The main aim of this article was to assess the attitudes and practices of households towards recycling of household waste. A quantitative research paradigm was followed. A survey was conducted and selfadministered questionnaires were distributed to a convenient sample of 150 selected respondents within the designated population. The attitudes of consumers towards household waste management were found to be neutral or indifferent and strongly dependent on knowledge and awareness about recycling as well as socioeconomic factors. The results further indicated that the main influencing factors for more positive attitudes and increased recycling participation is that household waste management should be convenient, cost-effective and not time-consuming, waste disposal and recycling sites should be easily accessible and incentives would encourage individuals to recycle. The results of this study could assist both households and local municipalities in developing appropriate strategies for managing household waste.