Waste management in rural areas poses a major challenge to local governments in developing countries. Municipalities face limited budgets and obstacles with the collection of waste, as well as a lack of proper equipment, infrastructure, and treatment centres. These obstacles lead to further problems, such as littering and illegal dumping, contributing to the knowledge base regarding remote and rural towns in South Africa. This study aims to assess the waste management practices and challenges of households in a Municipality in the Northern Cape, South Africa. The study investigates the household waste management practices, identifies the challenges experienced by households regarding their waste management, and explores their willingness to participate in a separation-at-source program. A cross-sectional research design was used along with a mixed methods research methodology. A sample of 160 interviews was completed over the period 16 to 20 September 2019. Descriptive statistics and a thematic analysis were used in the data analysis. The results indicate that municipalities, and households, will have to collaboratively search for solutions towards effective waste management in rural areas. Financial constraints also necessitate the investigation of alternative ways of managing household waste through cooperation with surrounding towns.

Household curb-side recycling programmes have the potential to reduce waste that end up in landfills. However, participation in these programmes is low. The aim of this study is to investigate the socioeconomic factors that impact households' participation in the curb-side recycling (CSR) programme in one municipality. Based on a convenience sample, quantitative data were collected from 247 households using a structured questionnaire. The data were analysed with a binary Probit regression model. The findings suggest that the education levels of household member(s) responsible for household waste management activities, length of time households have lived in their dwelling, size of the household, access to free recycling bags, presence of school-going children in the household, and sufficient information on the CSR programme and process had a statistically significant positive impact on participation. Knowledge of these factors can assist policy makers in identifying ways to encourage household participation and, in so doing, contribute to more efficient CSR programmes.