Recycling

Socio-economic factors affecting separation at source in Drakenstein Municipality

With national government’s Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations coming into force, the collection for recycling of most post-consumer packaging and products is now to be managed by the relevant producer responsibility organisations. This is focusing attention on effective recycling collection systems. By Hugh Tyrrell & Liza Volschenk*

Separation at source is regarded worldwide as the preferred method to divert high-value recyclable materials into the recycling economy. This is especially applicable to middle- and upper-income households combined with a regular kerbside collection service.

Research by the CSIR in 2012 estimated that of the 19 million tonnes of municipal solid waste going into landfills in South Africa, 25% is made up of recyclable materials. Using the CSIR Phase 2 Waste Roadmap (2011), the average economic value of these materials lost through landfilling is some R4 billion each year.

Most of the large metros and many medium and smaller municipalities have introduced separation-at-source recycling, using a two-bag, wet/dry separation system with regular kerbside collections.

This requires householders to separate their recyclables – plastic, paper, tins and glass – into a free bag (usually clear) provided by the municipality. The bag of recyclables is collected and swopped for a fresh bag each week so that recycling can continue.

A study was first conducted in 2019 in the Western Cape’s Drakenstein Municipal Area by Liza Volschenk of the University of Johannesburg. This research analysed the socio-economic factors affecting household participation and was followed up with an article published in the African Journal of Business and Economic Research in March this year.

Drakenstein incorporates the towns of Paarl and Wellington, where six middle- and upper-income suburbs were identified by the municipality to be part of the survey. The sample size was 240 households, which comprised mostly white Afrikaansspeaking residents with household size ranging from one to ten, with an average of three members. The research considered a range of variables affecting separation-at-source participation, including gender, age, education, income, whether schoolgoing children were part of the household, and what could work best to inform householders about recycling. Analysis of the data coming out of the research confirmed some common assumptions and pointed to other useful findings. As could be expected, households where women were in charge of waste management were also those where recycling was highest.

Income is generally an indicator of recycling participation, often because higher disposable income results in greater consumer spending and large amounts of packaging materials to be dealt with. The findings, however, were inconclusive on this because the probability to recycle

was most significant only in the R6 401 to R25 600 per month income category, and not beyond that.

Age came up as a factor, with the older the average age of family members being a predictor of higher recycling participation. Retired people may have more time available for waste separation, and may also be more conscious about the world they are leaving for their children and grandchildren.

The length of residence in a household was shown to have a significant effect in recycling participation. Residents living longer in houses in older suburbs are perhaps more familiar with waste removal processes and, generally, take more civic responsibility for the upkeep of their surroundings.

Interestingly, the number of people living in a household indicated an increase in the probability of recycling. The greater amount of waste materials to be recycled and more family members available to do the separation may possibly be a reason.

A strong finding was that schoolgoing children as part of a household predicted a 16.3% higher recycling participation. Environmental education and projects on waste management at school spill over and provide pressure, as well as guidance, at home for family participation in separation at source.

As regards communication about separation-at-source recycling, the probability of recycling increased by 6.4% using social media and by 13.1% if households have sufficient information from media generally.

Most significantly, the results indicated that access to regular provision of free recycling bags for householders in exchange for full ones increased the probability of them recycling to 42%.

Recommendations

While the results of the study are area-specific, recommendations arising from it can be applied to other local authorities managing separation-at-source programmes.

Adequate and ongoing information to residents is vital. A WhatsApp group, the local community newspaper and leaflets were high on the list of priorities that came up among Drakenstein householders. Regular feedback on tonnages being collected, jobs created, water and energy conserved can further motivate householders to continue recycling until it becomes routine.

Working with nearby schools to introduce learning content about responsible waste management and the municipality’s separation-at-source system clearly brings benefits back home. A good working relationship with the municipal communications department would be useful for their support to publicise a programme’s launch and progress.

While long-term residents may know more about how the service works, new residents moving to the area need to be assisted with information about the service. A ‘starter pack’ containing an information leaflet, fridge reminder card and bags to get started could be prepared for them. Estate agents will know who is coming and going, so would be good partners for distribution.

As highlighted, it is essential to ensure that households who have taken the trouble to start with separation at source continue to get their bags of recycling swopped for fresh ones each week.

Consideration could be given to providing smaller wheelie bins instead of bags, which could make for financial savings over time. Either way, a responsive, efficient and ‘customer-oriented’ service approach is seen as key to recycling collection success for municipalities.

*Hugh Tyrrell is a leading consultant in designing communication and behaviour change campaigns to increase participation in recycling programmes. Liza Volschenk is a researcher and lecturer at the University of Johannesburg.

Reference:

Volschenk, L., Viljoen, K., Schenck, C. (2021) ‘Socio-economic factors affecting household participation in curb-side recycling programmes: evidence from Drakenstein Municipality, South Africa’, African Journal of Business and Economic Research, Vol. 16 (Issue 1), March 2021, pp 143 – 162.

South Africa