Waste management perceptions of Aegean Islands' residents: a footprint due to refugee inflows

Abstract

The present questionnaire-based research was conducted during the spring and summer of 2017 at the Greek Aegean islands, Lesvos and Skyros. The aim of the research was to reveal the locals' general environmental awareness, their attitudes towards waste management, recycling and management of 'special wastes'. As a 'special wastes' are considered the life jackets and the inflatable boats. This study sought to answer mainly the following research questions: a) whether there were statistically significant differences between residents of the two Aegean Islands with regard to their views; b) whether there were statistically significant correlations between the attitude towards waste management, the attitude towards recycling, the attitude towards the management of 'special wastes' and their environmental awareness. This research was designed and implemented having the motivation to create an environmental awareness raising campaign for Greek residents concerning the great issue of waste management Greece is dealing with due to mass refugees' arrivals.