<p>The study was conducted to assess the knowledge and community awareness and environmental education regarding solid waste management practices in semi-urban and rural areas. A structured questionnaire, semi-structured interviews and site observation were used to collect data among of two communities in the Thulamela Local Municipality, Limpopo, South Africa, namely Makwarela (semi-urban) and Mavhunda (rural). The data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 30.0. Semi-structured interviews with municipal officials and waste collectors were analysed thematically. Field observations—using checklists, field notes and photographs—were also conducted to complement and validate the survey and interview findings. The results of the study revealed that 65% and 53.6% of the respondents in Makwarela and Mavhunda, respectively, agree that awareness campaigns bring benefits within the community. In Makwarela, 65.4% of respondents expressed a willingness to participate in awareness initiatives, while 71.4% of the respondents in Mavhunda shared similar sentiments. The findings revealed that a high proportion of respondents in both study areas demonstrated a positive attitude towards awareness campaigns and participation in solid waste management awareness initiatives. The findings further suggest that environmental education and awareness alone may not be sufficient to promote sustainable waste management behaviour, without adequate municipal infrastructure, financial resources and effective service delivery support.</p>