Selective Bio-Waste Collection System in Gdynia from the Perspective of Residents of Multi-Family Households

Purpose: The purpose of the article is to investigate what is the reason for the insufficient amount of bio-waste collected selectively from Gdynia residents in 2020, i.e., in the first year of application of the new rules of separate collection. The research question has been formulated as follows: What problems, if any, for households are caused by the extension of the separate collection model to an additional fraction of bio-waste? Design/Methodology/Approach: Several research methods were applied, literature review, data exploration method, desk research. Moreover, in 2021, a survey was conducted among multifamily households in Gdynia, in which the sample size was 235. Due to the epidemiological situation in Poland, the survey was conducted based on an online questionnaire which contained 11 questions divided into three sections: 1) general knowledge on bio-waste and the current collection model, 2) problems faced by respondents in connection with the introduction of the new model of bio-waste collection, 3) demographic questions. Findings: The research clearly shows that the amount of bio-waste collected selectively in Gdynia is far from the desired. Most of the residents of Gdynia treat their new obligation regarding bio-waste selection as an additional nuisance, and their knowledge about the purpose and methods of collection is highly unsatisfactory. Practical Implications: The survey findings and proposed recommendations can be used by local governments to improve collection system of bio-waste. Originality/Value: So far, no research has been conducted on the problems encountered by residents in the field of separate collection of bio-waste.