Plastic Littering and Waste Management in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa: Exploring the Snack-Food Consumer Littering and Responsibility towards the Environment.

Abstract

The study is located in the discipline of environmental ethics as it explores the snack-food (or plastic) littering and consumer responsibility towards the environment. The theory of consequentialism and Stewardship were used to provide ethical perspectives and background for the reconstruction of the consumers’ social and moral responsibility towards the environment. The study applies mixed research approach. Focus group, interviews and questionnaire were used to collect data; whereas thematic and statistical analysis were used for data analysis. The study finding shows (1) an increased plastic littering in the Pietermaritzburg city; (2) consumers’ indifference towards plastic littering and shifting of cleaning responsibility to the government; and (3) the household plastic-littering consumers indifference towards the consequences of plastic littering to the environment, and the escalating government expenditure towards environmental management. The study recommends an intensified civic responsibility campaign, and anti-littering strategies that can ethically (in)form consumer consciousness and responsibility towards the environment. It also recommends the government to develop a robust policy to control plastic littering. The government must promote a shared sense of responsibility towards the environment by integrating the plastic-producing industries and business dealers into the overall waste management plan. Encouraging plastic recycling businesses must was also recommended.