Perceptions of issues, possibilities and habits of separate waste collection

Abstract

Integrated waste management system is based on the principle of hierarchy, where the avoidance of waste is on top, followed by waste evaluation, and only then by waste disposal. It is estimated that only a small portion of waste generated in Croatia over the period of one year finds its way to recovery. The remainder of waste, measured in millions of tons per year, is disposed. Previous studies, which are discussed in this paper, also demonstrate the significance of examining this important topic.
In this study group questionnaires were used to investigate the awareness of the importance of waste collection and waste management. The main aim of the study was to investigate the perception of separate waste collection. The results were analysed using descriptive and analytical statistics, i.e. univariate (percentages) and bivariate analysis (analysis of variance and t-test). The results reveal that more than one half of the respondents separate waste in their own households, and those who do not separate it state as their main reason a lack of available infrastructure for separate waste collection close to home.