Fruit and vegetable waste management: awareness of the retailers in Region F, City of Johannesburg, South Africa

Introduction Food waste is a major sustainability issue, with fruits and vegetables being the most wasted food category in South Africa. Retailers, both formal and informal, play a significant role in determining the extent of waste generated. Raising retail awareness to manage fruit and vegetable waste (FVWs) effectively helps ensure a sustainable future. Methods A quantitative, descriptive, and contextual design was employed using a non-experimental survey. Data were collected from 161 respondents (118 informal and 43 formal retailers) using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS version 30.0. Results Both retailers demonstrated basic awareness of what constitutes FVWs. However, significant gaps were identified: informal retailers displayed poor awareness of waste bylaws, the global significance of FVWs, and alternative waste management methods. Formal retailers showed a homogenized awareness, uninfluenced by demographics, although they also viewed disposal as the primary solution and possessed limited knowledge of bylaws. Chi-square test analysis revealed that age, gender, and education significantly influenced awareness among informal retailers only. Discussion The findings display a critical need for targeted interventions. Awareness gaps across both groups hinder effective FVWs management. Strengthening targeted education, enhancing municipal engagement, and integrating circular economy principles in retail operations are essential to improve sustainability in Johannesburg’s Region F.