Littering: Is it laziness or pure disrespect?
The big question on today’s Great Drive Debate, Stacey & J Sbu want to know: When people litter, is it because they’re lazy, or is it simply disrespect for the environment? Vote in our poll.
South Africa generates an estimated 53,429 tonnes of waste daily, according to Statistics South Africa. Yet only about 10% of the country’s waste is recycled, highlighting the high level of the nation’s waste management challenge.
A Daily Maverick article published this year, citing the General Household Survey, found that formal refuse removal declined from 64.9% of households in 2016 to 58.8% in 2019. While waste collection remains a challenge in many communities, littering continues to be a widespread problem across the country.
Whether you’re driving on highways, walking through neighbourhoods or visiting public spaces, it’s common to come across litter. In some areas, illegal dumping has also become a major concern.
Waste comes in many forms, including household refuse, building rubble, garden waste, electrical equipment, industrial waste, used oil, furniture and scrap vehicles. When these materials are dumped irresponsibly, they don’t just make an area look untidy, they can have serious consequences for both the environment and public health.
Litter can attract disease-carrying insects and rodents, while illegal dumping can contaminate land and water sources.
A study published in the South African Journal of Science found that many people attribute littering to external factors such as a lack of bins, inadequate waste infrastructure, convenience, and laziness. While these may contribute to the problem, the impact of littering is something everyone has to live with.
According to the South African government, it is not only individuals, and households that dump waste. Businesses, industries, waste transporters and the construction sectors are also at fault.
Recycling is one way to reduce the amount of waste. Materials such as paper, plastic, glass and metal can often be recycled, helping to protect the environment while, in some cases, even providing an additional source of income.
The big question for today’s Great Drive Debate, Stacey & J Sbu Drive want to know: When people litter, is it because they’re lazy, or is it simply disrespect for the environment and the communities they live in?
Vote in our poll below:
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