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Societal Involvement in Household Waste Sorting Behavior in the Context of the Circular Economy: A Case Study of Poland

Author

Listed:
  • Justyna Rogowska

    (Division of Medical and Pharmacy Law, Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdańsk, Tuwima Str. 15, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland)

  • Kamila Piątkowska

    (Division of Medical and Pharmacy Law, Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdańsk, Tuwima Str. 15, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland)

  • Zuzanna Głowacz

    (Division of Medical and Pharmacy Law, Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdańsk, Tuwima Str. 15, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland)

Abstract

Population growth and the increasing demand for raw materials with the expanding amount of waste in the environment have resulted in the need to change the production–consumption model based on a one-way flow of materials (from raw materials through products to waste). An alternative to the linear model of production and consumption is the circular economy model (CE), which assumes more efficient use of resources, waste recovery (including municipal waste), and the reuse of materials. One of the important elements of this system is recycling, which will not efficiently function without public participation in the waste sorting system. The aim of the survey study was to examine the motivation, knowledge, and behavior of Polish respondents regarding the sorting of household waste and related problems. The survey results showed that almost 90% of respondents declared waste sorting, mostly because of the threat to the environment (34%) and the desire to contribute to the recycling process (34%), despite respondents’ problems with assigning certain types of waste to appropriate containers. This indicates the need for further education in this area, which should be conducted primarily online—the main sources of information about waste sorting, according to the respondents, are social media (33%) and websites (22%). The research results can help in designing educational campaigns both at the national (Ministry of the Environment and non-governmental organizations) and regional (municipal) levels, as these results indicate in which areas citizens have the most problems with waste separation.

Suggested Citation

  • Justyna Rogowska & Kamila Piątkowska & Zuzanna Głowacz, 2024. "Societal Involvement in Household Waste Sorting Behavior in the Context of the Circular Economy: A Case Study of Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-18, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:5:p:1841-:d:1344510
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Babaei, Ali Akbar & Alavi, Nadali & Goudarzi, Gholamreza & Teymouri, Pari & Ahmadi, Kambiz & Rafiee, Mohammad, 2015. "Household recycling knowledge, attitudes and practices towards solid waste management," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 94-100.
    2. Kirchherr, Julian & Reike, Denise & Hekkert, Marko, 2017. "Conceptualizing the circular economy: An analysis of 114 definitions," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 221-232.
    3. Henrieta Pavolová & Roman Lacko & Zuzana Hajduová & Zuzana Šimková & Martin Rovňák, 2020. "The Circular Model in Disposal with Municipal Waste. A Case Study of Slovakia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-15, March.
    4. Justyna Rogowska & Agnieszka Zimmermann, 2022. "Household Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal as a Global Problem—A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-29, November.
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