Title: Household disposal methods for various waste streams in the Bluff area, South Durban Basin, South Africa: what does adopting a comprehensive approach reveal?

Authors: Amanda Gumede; Suveshnee Munien; Urmilla Bob

Addresses: University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4041, South Africa ' Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida, USA ' University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4041, South Africa

Abstract: Waste management has predominantly included unsustainable methods such as burying, dumping and burning. Therefore, waste generators need to shift waste management practices from generating and disposing to more sustainable practices. The study assesses the disposal methods for various waste streams adopted within households. Specifically, the research aimed to undertake a comprehensive examination of household disposal methods for different waste streams in the Bluff area, South Durban Basin, South Africa. The study was guided by a multi-conceptual theoretical framework and adopted a mixed methodological approach. In total, 400 household quantitative surveys and six key informant interviews were administered. Households predominantly disposed of almost all waste streams generated in dustbins, a significant proportion also repurposed reusable materials, recycled and separated different waste streams. Age, sex, employment status, household decision-making and monthly income were significantly associated with the main household waste disposal methods for various types of waste generated.

Keywords: waste streams; waste management; waste generation; households; sustainable consideration; comprehensive approach; Bluff; South Durban Basin; SDB; South Africa.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2025.148760

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2025 Vol.38 No.2, pp.170 - 191

Received: 18 Sep 2023
Accepted: 17 Mar 2024
Published online: 23 Sep 2025 *

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