Drivers of Selective Waste Collection: Evidence from a Hungarian High School Community

Abstract

Background: A critical criterion for environmental sustainability is the recycling of waste through selective collection. In Hungary, following the transition of municipal solid waste management to a concessionaire in July 2023, there has been an intensified focus on selective waste collection strategies.

Objective: This study aims to explore the motivating and demotivating factors influencing selective waste collection within the community of a prominent secondary school in a Hungarian county seat.

Methodology: The research is based on a primary questionnaire survey, yielding a sample of 207 respondents. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and relationship analyses to identify patterns within the school community.

Results: The findings reveal a high willingness within the surveyed community to participate in selective waste collection, particularly for paper and plastic. Key encouraging factors include the provision of adequate information regarding the waste cycle, the frequency of collection, and convenience. While attitudes are not significantly influenced by the respondent's status (student or employee) or settlement type, significant correlations were found regarding gender, generation, and type of residence. Specifically, older individuals and those living in detached houses demonstrated higher levels of activity in selective waste collection.

Conclusion: Fragmented approaches to environmental education may be less effective; therefore, initiatives aimed at encouraging selective waste collection should target specific demographic groups, particularly distinguishing between different generations and residential types.

Unique Contribution: This study expands the international literature by providing a Hungarian perspective on selective waste collection. Unlike similar surveys that focus exclusively on student behaviour within school grounds, this research extends its scope to examine the general behaviours—both inside and outside the school—of the entire high school community, including staff.

Key Recommendation: The study recommends two primary improvements for waste service providers: increasing the frequency of selective waste container emptying and implementing active educational campaigns (via social media and printed content on containers) to dispel public misconceptions regarding the waste cycle.