Municipal solid waste management systems in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality: a comparative analysis across diverse income groups

Abstract

Municipal solid waste management (MSWM) is central to public health, environmental protection, resource recovery, and inclusive local economic development. This study compared household waste generation, collection and disposal practices, perceived system challenges, and policy awareness across Walmer-E, Summerstrand, and Gqeberha central in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, South Africa. A cross-sectional, survey-based comparative case-study design produced 255 valid household responses from Walmer-E ( n = 88), Summerstrand ( n = 82), and central ( n = 85), representing an 84% response rate. Open-ended responses and field observations were used for contextual interpretation. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s chi-square tests, principal component analysis, Cronbach’s alpha, Welch’s analysis of variance, and games-Howell post hoc comparisons. Waste-generation frequencies, disposal routes, perceived challenges, and awareness differed across the three areas. Central reported particularly frequent organic and plastic waste and the greatest perceived service pressures, while Walmer-E showed monthly concentrations of several recyclable streams. Although routine household collection was generally available, specialised provision for hazardous, electronic, garden, and construction waste remained limited. A total of 68.2% of respondents were unaware of existing MSWM systems or policies. Four sustainable MSWM dimensions were retained: governance, social behaviour, economic feasibility, and education/knowledge, with significant and large cross-area effects. The findings support context-specific circular-economy interventions that strengthen data governance, collection reliability, source separation, specialised recovery services, public education, local recovery markets, and livelihood opportunities.