Results from two consecutive national surveys in 2022 and 2024 on environmental literacy show that South Africans are most concerned about water scarcity, inadequate removal and disposal of refuse and the general state of littering and illegal dumping in the country. With waste featuring among the top concerns, it is no surprise that recycling knowledge has increased over this period. However, despite this rise in awareness, actual recycling levels remain low, limiting the public’s role in advancing the country’s circular economy goals. The findings highlight the need to move beyond knowledge and encourage practical actions that empower citizens to reduce waste and protect the environment.
To gauge South Africans’ knowledge, concerns and behaviours around recycling, the Citizens’ Environmental Awareness Index – led by the Human Sciences Research Council, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment and the CSIR – explores public beliefs and behavioural preferences related to environmental literacy. The study found that 42% of South Africans are concerned about rubbish, litter and waste in the country. When asked about recycling knowledge, 54% said they knew ‘a lot’ or ‘a fair amount’, while 45% reported knowing ‘a little’ or nothing at all about this key environmental practice. “This is concerning given the importance of recycling in minimising pollution in our landscapes, seascapes and waterways,” says CSIR senior researcher Dr Lorren Haywood, who contributed to the study.
Fostering the circular economy and incentivising recycling actions starts at the source: collecting waste materials, sorting or processing them at a facility, manufacturing the materials into new products and purchasing products made from recycled content. This creates the desired closed-loop system, reduces waste and the need for virgin resources – a critical process that conserves finite natural resources, reduces landfill waste, saves energy and cuts greenhouse gas emissions.
Recycling has long been on the environmental agenda. “South Africa has been promoting recycling for over three decades. However, the Citizens’ Environmental Awareness Index study found that only a third of South Africans ‘always’ or ‘often’ participate in recycling materials such as glass, tin, plastic or paper,” says Haywood. The frequency of participation tells a deeper story: more than three-fifths of South Africans report that they ‘sometimes’ to ‘never’ recycle, highlighting a significant gap between awareness and consistent action.
In a challenging landscape, recycling in South Africa remains a work in progress. In the study, the public cited a lack of awareness or access to recycling facilities as a barrier. While basic knowledge and infrastructure are improving, the research points to a more complex challenge – not enough waste is actually being recycled. “Pressure on landfill space is mounting, allowing more solid waste to accumulate and, in many cases, leak into the environment, resulting in pollution,” says Haywood. The findings reinforce the urgency of translating growing awareness into consistent recycling practices that can meaningfully reduce waste.
Haywood notes that every effort can make a difference in a country facing high unemployment and ongoing service delivery pressures. Simple actions by citizens such as separating waste at source and ensuring recyclables enter the collection system can have a meaningful impact. “When recycling is simplified and predictable, participation has the potential to become routine and volumes increase,” says Haywood.
“While recycling is one of the key components of the circular economy, its impact will be felt because recycling not only benefits the natural environment but also produces spin-off economic benefits, such as job creation.”
“South Africans are influenced by their knowledge and concerns about environmental issues; the opportunity now is to translate this into meaningful participation in the circular economy,” says Haywood.
Published 8 June 2026