Sustainable consumption among children in the aspect of waste management

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the study was to identify consumption patterns among children. The article analyses the concept of sustainable consumption, focusing on children’s consumption behaviour patterns in the field of sustainable waste management. Design/methodology/approach: The paper uses a critical analysis of the literature and survey research based on a prepared questionnaire. The survey was conducted among 1326 children in age groups from 9 to 15 years old. The questionnaire consisted of two parts, i.e. the substantive part and the respondents’ particulars. The first part of the questionnaire contained a set of questions concerning e.g. children’s ability to identify products with better environmental parameters, behaviours related to nutrition, saving, shopping, spending free time, waste management and implementing pro-ecological solutions in their households. Findings: The survey conducted among young consumers primarily pointed to the shortcomings of knowledge on waste segregation. Despite the fact that the vast majority declare that waste is collected selectively in their homes, they are unable to correctly indicate what type of waste should be thrown into the appropriate bins. Therefore, it is recommended that in each school, both primary and secondary, there are containers for selective waste collection, along with a description and instructions on what kind of waste should be placed in them. Undoubtedly, this will increase the ecological awareness of children and teach pro-ecological behaviour. Practical implications: Modification of primary school curricula to a greater extent emphasizing content related to the principles of sustainable consumption in the area of rational waste management. Social implications: Shaping sustainable consumption patterns among children by building awareness of appropriate behavior in the field of post-consumer waste management. Originality/value: The article presents the current state of knowledge on consumption patterns among children in the area of waste management. This is a particularly important issue in the context of shaping sustainable consumption patterns among the surveyed group of market participants. Keywords: sustainable consumption, food products, a child as a consumer, food market, ecolabelling. Category of the paper: Research paper.