Abstract:
In recent times, a high rate of industrialisation, population, urbanisation and civilisation has resulted
in increased and indiscriminate generation of waste, which has a negative impact on the natural environment.
Studies have revealed that waste contributes to about five percent of global greenhouse gas emission leading to
climate change which has also given rise to serious human health problems all over the world. This study assessed
waste disposal awareness, Practice and Attitude (APA) of students from a South African university. Three hundred
and fourteen (314) respondents answered a 23-item APA questionnaire (r = 0.80). The quantitative data were
analysed through computing descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (Chi-square). The results show that the
majority of students displayed an adequate level of APA towards waste disposal. Male students demonstrated higher
levels of APA than their female counterparts did. Students ranked newspapers as their most important source of
environmental information on waste management and related matters which was followed by the television.
Students should be educated as early as possible about the need for conservation of the environment if we expect
a sustainable future.
