Haywood, Lorren KDunn, SOelofse, Suzanna HHRoberts, BJ2026-06-302026-06-302026-103117-325Xhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.jemecp.2026.100011http://hdl.handle.net/10204/14834This study investigates public awareness, concern, personal pro-environmental norms, and household recycling behaviour in South Africa using data from the 2022 and 2024 rounds of the South African Social Attitudes Survey. The findings indicate that recycling behaviour remains limited, with approximately 30% reporting that they “always” or “often” recycle. Regression analyses show that environmental knowledge and waste-specific concern are positively associated with recycling behaviour, although these relationships explain only a modest proportion of the variation in behaviour. Environmental knowledge shows a relatively stronger association, while concern plays a more limited role once knowledge is accounted for, suggesting that awareness of recycling is an important, but not sufficient, influence on action. The association between personal pro-environmental norms and recycling behaviour is weak and inconsistent across survey years, indicating a context-dependent role. The results highlight a persistent gap between environmental awareness and consistent pro-environmental behaviour. In the South African context, this gap is shaped not only by behavioural factors but also by structural constraints, including uneven access to waste collection services, variability in municipal infrastructure, and differences in service delivery capacity across municipalities. The findings provide support for the Theory of Planned Behaviour and Value-Belief-Norm frameworks, while also showing that psychological drivers such as knowledge, concern, and norms are mediated by real-world conditions that influence perceived behavioural control and the translation of environmental values into action. Improving recycling outcomes in South Africa requires an integrated approach that combines behavioural interventions, such as strengthening environmental literacy and reinforcing pro-environmental norms, with systemic improvements in waste management infrastructure and service delivery.FulltextenSolid wasteRecycling behaviourWaste managementArticlen/a