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The Role of Trust and Perceived Social Justice in the Waste Recycling Practices of Households in Latvia

Author

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  • Linda Veliverronena

    (Institute of Social, Economic and Humanities Research, Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, LV-4201 Valmiera, Latvia)

  • Agnese Davidsone

    (Institute of Social, Economic and Humanities Research, Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, LV-4201 Valmiera, Latvia)

Abstract

In households, waste growth has become a critical global issue. This study aims to extend our understanding of promoting pro-environmental behavior by exploring the role of trust and perceived justice in households’ waste recycling practices. Trust and social justice are context-sensitive; studying them in different contexts provides new knowledge on motivating recycling motivation. The research is based on semi-structured interviews ( n = 40) on household recycling practices in Latvia. Research results demonstrate that a lack of institutional trust and perceived social injustice concerning household waste recycling practices appear in several contexts: trust in an individual’s capacity to recycle, trust in their peers’ capacity to recycle, trust in the efficiency of the recycling system, trust in the capacity of the waste management company to recycle, trust in waste management policy, and trust in information on recycling. Lack of trust in waste management is linked to perceived social injustice as waste management policy is criticized for not being accessible and putting too much responsibility on households, and this can serve as a critical barrier to household recycling. This study reveals which elements of the waste management system are related to a higher risk of social injustice and lack of trust in the perspective of households, thus signaling where changes in the system or providing end-users more information are needed to make the waste-sorting process more efficient. The findings of the study indicated a few directions for further improvements in the waste management system: ensuring the financial availability of recycling services, reassessment of the responsibilities of the stakeholders, and working toward raising awareness of the recycling and waste management system.

Suggested Citation

  • Linda Veliverronena & Agnese Davidsone, 2024. "The Role of Trust and Perceived Social Justice in the Waste Recycling Practices of Households in Latvia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-19, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2024:i:1:p:219-:d:1557513
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cecere, Grazia & Mancinelli, Susanna & Mazzanti, Massimiliano, 2014. "Waste prevention and social preferences: the role of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 163-176.
    2. Andrea Pronti & Roberto Zoboli, 2024. "Institutional Quality, Trust in Institutions, and Waste Recycling Performance in the EU27," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-18, January.
    3. Berglund, Christer, 2006. "The assessment of households' recycling costs: The role of personal motives," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 56(4), pages 560-569, April.
    4. Markku Lehtonen & Matti Kojo & Mika Kari & Tuija Jartti & Tapio Litmanen, 2022. "Trust, mistrust and distrust as blind spots of Social Licence to Operate: illustration via three forerunner countries in nuclear waste management," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(5), pages 577-593, May.
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