A multidisciplinary exploration of the household waste separation behaviour of residents within the southern metropolitan region of Perth, Western Australia and what influences correct behaviour in this context

Katherine E Gaschk

Waste generation and the sustainable management of household waste is a significant environmental issue. Waste management systems, the complex adaptive systems responsible for the collection, recovery, and disposal of different household waste-streams, rely on correct household waste separation behaviour to maximise recovery rates. This longitudinal case study research explored: what influenced the correct household waste separation behaviour (HWSB) for a sample of residents within the southern metropolitan region of Perth, Western Australia; the perceptions of residents and local government waste management officers for performing the behaviour; the contextual evolution of waste management operations and community engagement in the Southern Metropolitan Regional Council between 2000/01 – 2020/21; and whether the principles of education for sustainability (EfS) could be applied to address identified challenges. Behavioural and education theories, theory of planned behaviour, self-regulation of learning theory, and education for sustainability, informed the research. The adaptive cycle and panarchy were used as a unifying framework to provide context for understanding how the Southern Metropolitan Regional Council (SMRC) waste management system responded to internal and external pressures. Data were collected based on an explanatory sequential mixed methods design. Triangulation and analysis of data from resident participants, Council Officer participants and the longitudinal examination of the annual reports was undertaken. Survey data from 299 residents within the Southern Metropolitan Regional Council in Perth, Western Australia showed that despite positive attitudes there was a low level of knowledge. There was a range of accuracy in the separation of common household waste items, with six items being separated correctly by more than 95% of residents and eight items correctly separated by less than 53% of residents. The most consistently used information source was the Council Resource Recovery calendar, while uptake of online information sources was poor. Analysis of interview data revealed that many participants were positive about recycling, confident they were separating correctly, and subsequently were surprised to learn their behaviour was incorrect, expressing confusion and frustration. Factors identified by participants were interpreted to represent potential barriers and motivators to the behaviour. The most significant potential barriers to correct HWSB identified included limited knowledge and bin size/collection rates, while potential motivators identified were consistent with addressing these and other potential barriers. Residents indicated a desire to correctly separate their waste and a need for change in the way information is provided. The research has important implications for future education and engagement strategies including the need for residents to understand more deeply waste management processes beyond a static list of ‘recycling rules’. Evidence suggests that opportunities exist for embedding the principles of education for sustainability within waste education that aims to develop an individual’s understanding of waste management systems and encourages them to think critically about the impact of their own waste behaviours within these systems.

A multidisciplinary exploration of the household waste separation behaviour of residents within the southern metropolitan region of Perth, Western Australia and what influences correct behaviour in this context

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