The problem of not waste sorting behaviour, comparison of waste sorters and non-sorters in European Union: Cross-cultural analysis

Abstract

In the European Union (EU), 3.3% of respondents declared that they did not sort waste at all. The level of non-sorter behaviour depends on the level of a country's economic development. Referring to Hofstede's cultural dimensions, only power distance, uncertainty avoidance, and indulgence had significant effects on non-sorting behaviour. The non-sorter respondents were less linked to performe waste reducing and reusing behaviours. The tools which convince respondents to begin separating waste or separate wastes more differed between sorters and non-sorters as well. The sorters preferred to trust the level of waste management while non-sorter respondents responded to convenience level. Analysing the determinants of sorting behaviour in separate EU countries, we found that only efforts to reduce waste positively influenced sorting behaviour in major EU countries. Attitudes to resource efficiency positively influenced in one third of EU countries. Meanwhile the knowledge about general and personal waste generation influenced sorting behaviour negatively or insignificantly (except Spain and Hungary). Thus, to promote sorting behaviour, it is not enough to inform people that we have a lot of waste. Therefore, this study has significant implications for waste policy and can help to trigger and promote more sorting behaviour in EU countries.