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Enhancing Sustainability in University Campuses: A Study on Solid Waste Generation and Disposal Practices among Students in Politehnica University Timisoara, Romania

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  • Vasile Gherheș

    (Department of Communication and Foreign Languages, Interdisciplinary Research Center for Communication and Sustainability (PoliCom), Politehnica University of Timisoara, 300006 Timisoara, Romania)

  • Gabriel-Mugurel Dragomir

    (Department of Teacher Training, Interdisciplinary Research Center for Communication and Sustainability (PoliCom), Politehnica University of Timisoara, 300006 Timisoara, Romania)

  • Mariana Cernicova-Buca

    (Department of Communication and Foreign Languages, Interdisciplinary Research Center for Communication and Sustainability (PoliCom), Politehnica University of Timisoara, 300006 Timisoara, Romania)

  • Adina Palea

    (Department of Teacher Training, Interdisciplinary Research Center for Communication and Sustainability (PoliCom), Politehnica University of Timisoara, 300006 Timisoara, Romania)

Abstract

A major issue recurrent in sustainability ensuring concerns is pollution due to human activities, mainly related to the reduction in waste generation. The present study aims to identify students’ awareness of waste management, their daily routines in separately collecting recyclable waste, and their behaviors leading to reducing wasteful consumption in campus residential living, in a large university in the Western part of Romania, to channel the strategic plan of the university and the efforts of institutional teams dealing with the issues of waste management and sustainability. The methodology consists of an analysis of waste management in the university campus hosting around 6000 students in 16 dormitories, and of an anonymous online survey mapping the self-perceived behavior of students in solid waste management. Data from 1172 valid responses are refined through factorial analysis. While recycling behavior seems to be largely shared by the respondents, with more than 50% declaring that they always reuse recyclables, separate collection of waste is typical for only a quarter of the sample. Therefore, a vigorous intervention is needed to guide young adults’ behavior towards sustainability choices. Campus greening needs to join interventions from the university, in charge of campus life in the selected case, city administration, waste management companies, and the student body. The findings are useful to explore the possible directions for action to increase or contribute to territorial sustainability in the socio-ecological context of Timisoara, the largest university city in the western part of Romania through educational, managerial, and policy interventions, based on local partnerships and collaborations, in accordance with SDG 17.

Suggested Citation

  • Vasile Gherheș & Gabriel-Mugurel Dragomir & Mariana Cernicova-Buca & Adina Palea, 2024. "Enhancing Sustainability in University Campuses: A Study on Solid Waste Generation and Disposal Practices among Students in Politehnica University Timisoara, Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-28, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:16:p:6866-:d:1453559
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Piyapong Janmaimool & Samattaphong Khajohnmanee, 2019. "Roles of Environmental System Knowledge in Promoting University Students’ Environmental Attitudes and Pro-Environmental Behaviors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(16), pages 1-18, August.
    2. Peter Tucker & David Speirs, 2003. "Attitudes and Behavioural Change in Household Waste Management Behaviours," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 46(2), pages 289-307.
    3. Gill Seyfang, 2004. "Consuming Values and Contested Cultures: A Critical Analysis of the UK Strategy for Sustainable Consumption and Production," Review of Social Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 62(3), pages 323-338.
    4. Sudipta Bhawal Mukherji & Makiko Sekiyama & Takashi Mino & Bharati Chaturvedi, 2016. "Resident Knowledge and Willingness to Engage in Waste Management in Delhi, India," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(10), pages 1-14, October.
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