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Assessment of Circular Economy Implementation in Municipal Waste Management Through Performance Indicators and Citizens’ Opinion in a City in Western Greece

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  • Christina Emmanouil

    (School of Spatial Planning and Development, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Dimitrios Roumeliotis

    (School of Spatial Planning and Development, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Alexandros Kostas

    (School of Spatial Planning and Development, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Dimitra G. Vagiona

    (School of Spatial Planning and Development, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece)

Abstract

Municipal solid waste management (MSWM) is an advantageous subject for implementing circular economy (CE) strategies. In this context, the waste generation and waste collection steps of MSWM in the third largest Greek city (Patras), in western Greece, were evaluated according to the proposed CE indicators. Public opinion and knowledge on CE in MSWM were also evaluated in a small sample of citizens from the Municipality of Patras (207 individuals) through a questionnaire survey. Results showed that (a) the CE performance indicators objectively assessed circularity in MSWM; (b) Patras fared better than Greece and EU in some indicators [waste generation (kg per capita × year), food waste generation (kg per capita × year)] and worse in others [food waste composting (% w / w ), WEEE recycling (kg per capita × year)]; (c) citizens have not adopted CE practices in their waste management; and (d) there is a clear reluctance to change practices in older individuals. Based on these results, some recommendations for improvement were made. These results may aid in delineating existing conditions in MSWM in large eastern Mediterranean cities and contribute to the transition toward a reduction in waste disposal and an increase in material reuse.

Suggested Citation

  • Christina Emmanouil & Dimitrios Roumeliotis & Alexandros Kostas & Dimitra G. Vagiona, 2025. "Assessment of Circular Economy Implementation in Municipal Waste Management Through Performance Indicators and Citizens’ Opinion in a City in Western Greece," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-20, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:5:p:2265-:d:1605959
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pavlo Lyshtva & Artūras Torkelis & Yaroslav Kobets & Estefania Carpio-Vallejo & Andrea Dobri & Jelena Barbir & Viktoria Voronova & Gintaras Denafas & Linas Kliucininkas, 2025. "Characterization of the Municipal Plastic and Multilayer Packaging Waste in Three Cities of the Baltic States," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-19, January.
    2. Allevi, Elisabetta & Gnudi, Adriana & Konnov, Igor V. & Oggioni, Giorgia, 2021. "Municipal solid waste management in circular economy: A sequential optimization model," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    3. Yi Deng & Wenjie Wu & Xihua Zhang & Shuyuan Li & Xiaolong Song & Jingwei Wang, 2024. "Overview of China’s Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recycling in the Last Two Decades," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-14, December.
    4. Christina Emmanouil & Kalliopi Papadopoulou & Iliana Papamichael & Antonis A. Zorpas, 2022. "Pay-as-You-Throw (PAYT) for Municipal Solid Waste Management in Greece: On Public Opinion and Acceptance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-15, November.
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