Public awareness and participation in waste management in the Maltese Islands : focus on the use of bring-in sites in the locality of Birkirkara

Abstract

Effective waste management is an important branch of sustainable development. Public participation plays an important role in the success of sustainable waste management. The study was carried out in the locality of Birkirkara to a random sample of 100 households. The objectives of the study were to determine the current number of households that are aware of waste management, to observe the number of households that take part in the Bring-In Site scheme. More over, this study looks into future behaviour of Birkirkara residents with special reference to participation in kerbside recycling. A questionnaire was designed to meet the purpose of this study. The questionnaire was answered by Birkirkara household representatives in one to one interviews. This study shows that 95 per cent of the population is aware of waste management projects, especially the Bring-In Site scheme. The population as made aware through various sources of information especially mass media and household visits by a Waste Serv representative. Although, public awareness is high, this is not reflected in participation on a regular basis, with only 41 per cent of the sample population participating. The main reason cited for not participating was that the Bring-In Sites present are situated far from the households. As one moves further away from the 200 metres sphere of influence of Bring-In Sites, participation declines. Households which are outside this sphere of influence participate due to the availability of private transport. This study has shown that awareness on Waste Management is high, however participation on a regular basis is lacking due to the fact that there is a lack of facilities. Participants strongly recommend the increase of Bring-In sites so as to increase the catchment area of Bring-In Sites, which could lead to an increase in participation. The Bring-In site system can be complimented by the introduction of kerbside recycling, which was described by the majority of respondents as the more convenient method of collection of recyclable waste at source.