CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS & PROJECT MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE 2022 · Vol. 2022, Issue 1

Consumer preferences for plastic waste recycling in retail facilities in Johannesburg: A university community perspective

Yewande Adewunmi, Hoosen Rameez, Makgoba Friedar and Novotny Max

Keywords: Consumer preferences, incentives, plastic waste recycling, retail facilities, universities

Abstract

Research on global best practices in waste management showed that problems with plastic waste could be managed if systems are in place to help their return for recycling by consumers and collectors through a chain involving the retail sector and manufacturers for an incentive. The paper aimed to determine which incentives and knowledge affect the overall performance of recycling in retail facilities. An online survey was sent to staff and students of a top-rated public university in Johannesburg, South Africa. The survey was analysed using mean scores, ANOVA and regression analysis. The study found that the provision of shopping discounts at selected stores was the best incentive to be provided. Also, providing free parking to shoppers was another way of providing incentives to shoppers to engage in recycling and rewards such as discounts on plastic bottles. In addition, the study further found that knowledge and incentives promote recycling in the context of retail facilities. Some of the recommendations were that mall managers and the university community could use the findings to encourage participation in recycling.