Waste generation and pro-environmental behaviors at household level: a citizen science study in Buenos Aires (Argentina)

Abstract

Households are the most numerous and atomized segment of waste generation. Quantifying household waste generation and identifying specific strategies to promote recycling and composting is challenging, particularly for developing countries where resources are scarce. In turn, estimates based on global records of municipal waste do not allow to distinguish household generation from other stakeholders. Citizen Science is a powerful tool to approach municipal waste research and to strengthen pro-environmental behaviors in an integrative and engaging way. Our objectives were (1) to quantify the amount and composition of waste generated by households in the city of Buenos Aires (Argentina), and (2) to assess household waste management behaviors by using, for the first time, a citizen science approach. A total of 525 households classified and weighed their waste during a week and completed a questionnaire on current and potential pro-environmental behaviors. Daily waste generation was 430 g.person-1, 50% of which was organic, 29% was recyclable and 21% was non-recyclable material. Sorting practices did not affect waste generation whereas pets, babies and home cooking increased it. Most participants (81%) sorted their waste and 24% composted organic materials. We detected a high willingness to incorporate sorting and composting habits among those not currently engaged with these practices. In the context of developing countries, citizen science seems to be a reliable, low-cost and scalable tool for waste research projects.