The Durban University of Technology (DUT) continues to strengthen its international research partnerships through an innovative study that explored consumer recycling behaviour in South African townships. The research was led by Professor Thomas Dobbelstein, an Honorary Research Professor at DUT, Chairperson of the DUT Business School and Professor from the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW) in Ravensburg, Germany.

The project, which featured prominently during the recent DHBW Research Day under the theme Fit for Transformation, examined a vital question: Why do consumers in South African townships recycle, or why not? Professor Dobbelstein’s creative presentation incorporated a trash can on campus as a metaphor to spark conversation and highlight behavioural patterns around recycling.

The study forms part of DUT’s commitment to collaborative research that helps to address global challenges with local relevance. Through this partnership, DUT contributes to advancing sustainability, promoting environmental awareness and informing future waste management strategies in underserved communities. Professor Dobbelstein highlighted that, “If we want to strengthen recycling behaviour in South African townships, we must focus on enhancing people’s perceived control, by making recycling truly accessible, visible and manageable in daily life.”

As part of its ENVISION2030 strategy, DUT remains dedicated to being an engaged university that is focused on research and innovation. Collaborations such as this one with DHBW Ravensburg, underscore DUT’s plans to promote responsible and impactful research that benefits society.

The DHBW Research Day served as a dynamic platform for academics and researchers to network and share ideas that supported transformation through innovation and knowledge transfer. You can access the Journal article which was co-authored by Professor Khathutshelo Makhitha here.

Pictured: Professor Thomas Dobbelstein

Alan Khan