IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/circec/v4y2024i3d10.1007_s43615-024-00374-6.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Circular Economy Aspects of the New National Solid Waste Management Plan and Citizens' Engagement in Northern Greece

Author

Listed:
  • Sofia-Evangelia Chachami-Chalioti

    (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki)

  • Christina Emmanouil

    (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki)

  • Dionysis Latinopoulos

    (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki)

  • Athanasios Kungolos

    (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki)

Abstract

The amended Waste Framework Directive (WFD) highlights the circular use of resources and the minimization of solid waste. To align with these concepts, the Greek Law is now implementing pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) systems and Rewarding Recycling (RR) schemes and establishing incorporated Green Points (GPs) and Recycling Corners (RCs). These additions aspire to enhance source separation and to facilitate recycling so that materials can be re-used. In order to assess the public opinion on these measures, a web-based questionnaire aimed at citizens of 5 municipalities of Thessaloniki Regional Area in Northern Greece was answered by 1614 respondents. The questionnaire assessed their degree of knowledge on PAYT, RR and GPs & RCs, as well as their attitude on the usefulness of these schemes. Results showed in general a lack of knowledge of these schemes, however many interviewees agreed that these governmental policies will increase recycling and will contribute to sustainable waste management (WM). Older people (56–65 years old) were more favorably inclined towards some of these policies; women rather than men were more favorably inclined towards GPs and RCs, while young people were generally more indifferent. These results show that: 1) the expected time-related goals of the new Greek WM policies should urgently be re-evaluated 2) the social participation aspect should urgently be enhanced via targeted informative campaigns 3) campaigns aimed specifically at young people should be created, aspiring to instigate, engage, educate and inform.

Suggested Citation

  • Sofia-Evangelia Chachami-Chalioti & Christina Emmanouil & Dionysis Latinopoulos & Athanasios Kungolos, 2024. "Circular Economy Aspects of the New National Solid Waste Management Plan and Citizens' Engagement in Northern Greece," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 4(3), pages 2011-2030, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:circec:v:4:y:2024:i:3:d:10.1007_s43615-024-00374-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s43615-024-00374-6
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s43615-024-00374-6
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s43615-024-00374-6?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Najmun Nahar & Zakaria Hossain & Sanjia Mahiuddin, 2023. "Assessment of the environmental perceptions, attitudes, and awareness of city dwellers regarding sustainable urban environmental management: a case study of Dhaka, Bangladesh," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(8), pages 7503-7531, August.
    2. Menelaos Neofotistos & Nafsika Hanioti & Eleni Kefalonitou & Anastasia Z. Perouli & Konstantinos E. Vorgias, 2023. "A Real-World Scenario of Citizens’ Motivation and Engagement in Urban Waste Management Through a Mobile Application and Smart City Technology," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 3(1), pages 221-239, March.
    3. Athanasios Polyportis & Lise Magnier & Ruth Mugge, 2023. "Guidelines to Foster Consumer Acceptance of Products Made from Recycled Plastics," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 3(2), pages 939-952, June.
    4. Botetzagias, Iosif & Dima, Andora-Fani & Malesios, Chrisovaladis, 2015. "Extending the Theory of Planned Behavior in the context of recycling: The role of moral norms and of demographic predictors," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 58-67.
    5. Konstantinos Tsimnadis & Grigorios L. Kyriakopoulos & Garyfallos Arabatzis & Stefanos Leontopoulos & Efthimios Zervas, 2023. "An Innovative and Alternative Waste Collection Recycling Program Based on Source Separation of Municipal Solid Wastes (MSW) and Operating with Mobile Green Points (MGPs)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-18, February.
    6. Mariia Sozoniuk & Jonghun Park & Natalia Lumby, 2022. "Investigating Residents’ Acceptance of Mobile Apps for Household Recycling: A Case Study of New Jersey," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-18, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Alessandro Concari & Gerjo Kok & Pim Martens, 2020. "A Systematic Literature Review of Concepts and Factors Related to Pro-Environmental Consumer Behaviour in Relation to Waste Management Through an Interdisciplinary Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-50, May.
    2. Corina Pelau & Alexandra Catalina Chinie, 2018. "Econometric Model for Measuring the Impact of the Education Level of the Population on the Recycling Rate in a Circular Economy," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 20(48), pages 340-340.
    3. Aylin Cakanlar & Megan Hunter & Gergana Y. Nenkov, 2025. "Recycle right: How to decrease recycling contamination with informational point-of-disposal signage," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 53(3), pages 781-803, May.
    4. Filippo Corsini & Natalia Marzia Gusmerotti & Edoardo Bartoletti & Francesco Testa & Andrea Appolloni & Fabio Iraldo, 2024. "Addressing Plastic Concern: Behavioral Insights into Recycled Plastic Products and Packaging in a Circular Economy," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 4(3), pages 1961-1981, September.
    5. Xiaojian Hu & Nan Wu & Nuo Chen, 2021. "Young People’s Behavioral Intentions towards Low-Carbon Travel: Extending the Theory of Planned Behavior," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-15, February.
    6. Marco Bardus & May A. Massoud, 2022. "Predicting the Intention to Sort Waste at Home in Rural Communities in Lebanon: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-18, July.
    7. Nur Shafeera Mohamad & Ai Chin Thoo & Hon Tat Huam, 2022. "The Determinants of Consumers’ E-Waste Recycling Behavior through the Lens of Extended Theory of Planned Behavior," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-27, July.
    8. Luo, Zongwei & Dubey, Rameshwar & Gunasekaran, Angappa & Childe, Stephen J. & Papadopoulos, Thanos & Hazen, Benjamin & Roubaud, David, 2017. "Sustainable production framework for cement manufacturing firms: A behavioural perspective," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 495-502.
    9. Zhihua Xu & Jingmei Li & Jingzhu Shan & Wensi Zhang, 2021. "Extending the Theory of Planned Behavior to understand residents’ coping behaviors for reducing the health risks posed by haze pollution," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(2), pages 2122-2142, February.
    10. Lizin, Sebastien & Van Dael, Miet & Van Passel, Steven, 2017. "Battery pack recycling: Behaviour change interventions derived from an integrative theory of planned behaviour study," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 66-82.
    11. Siti Hasnah Hassan & Jasmine A. L. Yeap & Nabil Hasan Al-Kumaim, 2022. "Sustainable Fashion Consumption: Advocating Philanthropic and Economic Motives in Clothing Disposal Behaviour," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-17, February.
    12. Jing Shao & Wenchao Li & Cedric Aneye & Wei Fang, 2022. "Facilitating mechanism of green products purchasing with a premium price—Moderating by sustainability‐related information," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(3), pages 686-700, May.
    13. Arockia E J Ferdin & Matthew Lee Inman & Jia Wei Chook, 2025. "From Linear to Circular: Consumer Perspectives on Breaking Free from Single-Use Plastics in Taiwan," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 5(4), pages 3343-3368, August.
    14. Claudia Arias & Jhon Mario Quiroga Beltrán & Javier Mauricio Martínez Ariza & Javier Bernardo Cadena Lozano & Miguel Angel Bello Bernal, 2022. "Pro-Circular Consumer Profile: An Approach to Their Identification and Characterization Based on the Components of the Value-Belief-Norm Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-36, June.
    15. Ken Polin & Tan Yigitcanlar & Tracy Washington & Mark Limb, 2024. "Unpacking Smart Campus Assessment: Developing a Framework via Narrative Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-24, March.
    16. Antonis Skouloudis & Chrysovalantis Malesios & Demetris-Francis Lekkas, 2025. "Investigating Antecedents and Consequences of Consumer Satisfaction from Bio-Based Products: Evidence from Greece," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 5(1), pages 603-624, February.
    17. Murat Okumah & Julia Martin-Ortega & Paula Novo & Pippa J. Chapman, 2020. "Revisiting the Determinants of Pro-Environmental Behaviour to Inform Land Management Policy: A Meta-Analytic Structural Equation Model Application," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-33, April.
    18. Arie Indra Gunawan & Hilda Monoarfa & Vanessa Gaffar & Dwi Suhartanto & Fatya Alty Amalia, 2025. "Reviving Household Behavior Toward Waste: Driven Factors of Responsible Consumption," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 16(3), pages 13643-13666, September.
    19. Carlos Fernando Gonzales-Ortiz & Apolonia Rodríguez-Gonzales & Katja Radon & María Teresa Solís-Soto, 2025. "Development of a Project to Strengthen Environmental Education in Educational Institutions in Bolivia: “Environmental Care with a One Health Approach”," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-13, April.
    20. Diana Puspita Sari & Nur Aini Masruroh & Anna Maria Sri Asih, 2021. "Consumer Intention to Participate in E-Waste Collection Programs: A Study of Smartphone Waste in Indonesia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-28, March.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:circec:v:4:y:2024:i:3:d:10.1007_s43615-024-00374-6. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.