Citizens attitudes towards waste separation in Coatepec, Veracruz, Mexico

Abstract

The results of a study carried out in Coatepec are presented in this study, which were based on a previous research conducted in Teocelo. Both municipalities are located in the Sierra Madre Oriental, Veracruz. The Coatepec research had complications related to the management of solid urban waste. However, the Teocelo study has been a successful case of integral management since 2001. The main goal of the study was to examine the attitudes of Coatepec residents about the change in environmental behavior related to public policies, in particular the separation of waste,as well as to gather their opinions on the quality of municipal management in terms of public cleanliness. In the methodologyl, a Likert scale was applied to 108 individuals, with questions associated to attitudes in their conative, cognitive and affective components. Findings showed that participants are highly motivated to separate waste and contribute in the transformation process. Furthermore, they expressed a negative opinion on street cleaning in Coatepec. Finally, citizens strong interest on establishing a program of integral management of urban solid waste in their municipality persists. They want a similar one to that applied on Teocelo. In conclusion, it is vital for inhabitants and the government to team up and work together in matters of public cleanliness. Citizenship takes action in waste separation or shows intentions to do so, being aware of the waste issues in its first level of separation (organic and inorganic). The attitudes analysis, conducted in its conative, cognitive and affective dimensions, points out what is missing in the population regarding waste separation and good management of solid waste from the individual, collective and political representatives level. This is the baseline towards designing strategies for strategic planning and environmental education.