While plastic waste has become a more frequent occurrence on the rural landscape in sub-Saharan Africa, studies on the management of plastic waste have focused largely on urban and peri-urban areas, ignoring forest-adjacent communities. This study analyzed the socio-economic characteristics, plastic waste management practices and challenges among households in five communities bordering Gambari Forest Reserve, Oyo State, Nigeria: Idi Ayunre, Onipe, Onigambari, Ibusogboro and Olonde. The study employed a multistage sampling procedure to select 120 households, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire through interviews. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson product moment correlation. Results indicated that the majority of the sample was women (55.8%) and married respondents (83.3%), with most respondents being between 41 and 50 years old and having at least secondary education. Most respondents engaged in waste management practices such as encouraging children not to litter (73.3%) and reporting dumping to community leaders (73.3%), but formal recycling and use of reusable alternatives were moderate, with 56.7% of respondents classified in the low-practice group. The most common challenges were lack of designated collection points (57.5%), limited access to recycling facilities (40.0%) and inadequate knowledge of proper disposal methods (40.0%), with 63.3% of respondents falling into the highconstraint category. There was a positive correlation between challenges faced and methods adopted for plastic waste management (r = 0.421, p = 0.000). The results suggest that infrastructural and awareness gaps, rather than unwillingness, are the main drivers of ineffective plastic waste management in these communities.