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An Approach to Litter Generation and Littering Practices in a Mexico City Neighborhood

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  • Cecilia E. Muñoz-Cadena

    (Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigación y Estudios en Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo (CIIEMAD), Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Calle 30 de Junio de 1520 s/n., Barrio La Laguna Ticomán, C.P. 03340, México D.F., Mexico)

  • Pedro Lina-Manjarrez

    (Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigación y Estudios en Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo (CIIEMAD), Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Calle 30 de Junio de 1520 s/n., Barrio La Laguna Ticomán, C.P. 03340, México D.F., Mexico)

  • Irma Estrada-Izquierdo

    (Laboratorio de Citopatología Ambiental, Departamento de Morfología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Carpio y Plan de Ayala s/n, Col. Plutarco Elías Calles, CP 11340 México D.F., Mexico)

  • Eva Ramón-Gallegos

    (Laboratorio de Citopatología Ambiental, Departamento de Morfología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Carpio y Plan de Ayala s/n, Col. Plutarco Elías Calles, CP 11340 México D.F., Mexico)

Abstract

Urban litter is generated by human societies everywhere. Some litter is recyclable waste. In this study, the acronym RMSW is used to refer to recyclable municipal solid waste generated in streets. Public attitude towards RMSW generation, generators’ perceptions, and quantification of RMSW in streets were examined in a Mexico City neighborhood, where litter presence causes major environmental problems affecting the population year after year. Interviews with neighborhood residents and item counts were carried out from 2010 to 2011. In all, 58% of interviewees reported generating RMSW at variable frequencies while 42% said they did not generate this kind of waste. Laziness, lack of vigilance by municipal authorities, no litter bins in streets, and imitation were the main causes identified by interviewees as reasons for littering. Potential litter generators may be of any age, educational level or income. Interviewees’ perception of RMSW generation was compared with item counts in the neighborhood studied.

Suggested Citation

  • Cecilia E. Muñoz-Cadena & Pedro Lina-Manjarrez & Irma Estrada-Izquierdo & Eva Ramón-Gallegos, 2012. "An Approach to Litter Generation and Littering Practices in a Mexico City Neighborhood," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 4(8), pages 1-22, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:4:y:2012:i:8:p:1733-1754:d:19394
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Torgler, Benno & Garcia-Valinas, Maria A. & Macintyre, Alison, 2008. "Justifiability of Littering: An Empirical Investigation," Natural Resources Management Working Papers 42147, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM).
    2. Ida Ferrara, 2008. "Waste Generation and Recycling," OECD Journal: General Papers, OECD Publishing, vol. 2008(2), pages 19-58.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fadzai M. Zambezi & Norah Muisa-Zikali & Beaven Utete, 2021. "Effectiveness of community participation as anti-litter monitors in solid waste management in metropolitan areas in a developing country," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(1), pages 747-764, January.
    2. Nadav L. Sprague & Ariana N. Gobaud & Christina A. Mehranbod & Christopher N. Morrison & Charles C. Branas & Ahuva L. Jacobowitz, 2022. "Overflowing Disparities: Examining the Availability of Litter Bins in New York City," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-10, April.

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