An analysis of attitudes towards recycling: Westdene, Bloemfontein

English: South Africa, like any developing country, has a high level of waste generation and limited resources for disposal. This is where a definite problem arises - a large amount of waste is left discarded and unmanaged. Recycling plays an important role in the preservation of the environment. This may be one of the most basic fundamental building blocks of environmental protection. It may not appear to be an impressive process but if performed properly with sufficient management, recycling can be the most efficient form of aiding the environment in the long term. The government, alone, does not and should not have the sole obligation in safeguarding our country against pollution and waste management. The private and public sectors have a common responsibility towards the environment. To initiate any waste management development programme, agreements between the various sectors must be drafted. Just as important to what is mentioned above is the co-operation between all national and local authorities. Certain international countries' lack of legislation and policies concerning waste management have resulted in an independent, informal economy being created, which means that an innovative economic sector has been developed. The purpose of this study is to reveal the current and future recycling behaviour of residential and commercial recipients in Westdene, Bloemfontein. Secondly, the study aims to critically review the current integrated waste management plans and policies that exist. Thirdly, a model is developed to illustrate recycling behaviour and attitude. Results gathered from the analysis reveal that all groups and demographics have similar ideas, covering all questions and variations of questions. All recipients are generally very pro-recycling, but only if the municipality contributes by initiating the required programmes/techniques to be used and facilities. Recipients are all in agreement that more information is needed to effectively succeed in implementing recycling in Westdene, Bloemfontein.