Concerned but uninvolved: illegal waste dumping in a Thabazimbi Local Municipality, South Africa

Abstract Illegal waste dumping (IWD) remains prevalent in the Thabazimbi Local Municipality (TLM) despite the presence of municipal and national waste management policies. Understanding community perceptions of the causes and consequences of IWD is essential for designing effective interventions. This study investigated community perceptions of IWD in Thabazimbi and Northam within the TLM. A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating quantitative and qualitative data collected through questionnaires and direct observation. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS version 30, while qualitative data were thematically analysed to identify patterns in perceptions and behaviours of the participants. The results indicate that 51.2% of the respondents receive municipal waste removal services, while others rely on alternative disposal methods, including burning (29.1%), open dumping (5.2%), and private waste removal services (11.8%). Although 94.7% of respondents expressed concern about IWD in their communities, the majority (58.3%) neither participated nor were willing to participate in clean-up initiatives, as they perceived waste management as the municipality’s responsibility. These findings reveal a substantial gap between environmental awareness and active community participation, driven by service delivery constraints and prevailing behavioral attitudes of the community. Future research should examine behavioural interventions and governance mechanisms that promote community engagement in sustainable waste management.