Abstract
Plastic pollution in South Africa’s rivers presents a complex environmental challenge, requiring multifaceted approaches to alter production-consumption patterns and foster pro-environmental behaviours within a sustainable circular economy. This study focuses on macroplastic pollution across the Jukskei, Hennops, and Crocodile rivers, applying a mixed-methods approach to reveal spatial accumulation, degradation patterns, and public perceptions, offering insights into actionable management solutions. Comparative analysis of macroplastic fluxes reveals alarming daily accumulation rates ranging from 168 items in the Crocodile River to 517,679 in the Jukskei River, surpassing global averages and highlighting South Africa’s unique context. Spatial trends show increased plastic densities downstream, with smaller, highly degraded items (0.5-5 cm) more prevalent, indicating significant fragmentation and prolonged environmental exposure. Dominant plastic types identified—LDPE, PP, and PS—are linked to common single-use products, underscoring the role of everyday consumer items in pollution.
Stakeholder perceptions align with these findings, as survey respondents across all rivers overwhelmingly view plastic as the principal pollutant, with cultural, religious, and recreational values impacted. A strong correlation, though not statistically significant, is observed between respondents' perceptions of plastic pollution levels and the actual measured quantities of plastic in these rivers. Respondents attribute pollution to entrenched consumption habits, while their concerns point toward urgent needs for systemic intervention. This study enriches the understanding of macroplastic pollution within freshwater ecosystems, with implications for policy and management in South Africa and similar contexts globally, emphasising the need for targeted reduction strategies and community engagement in pollution mitigation.