Sociology of waste: social norms as pre-disposition for acceptance of ‘Pay-as-you-throw’ tariffs in Portugal

Bringsken, Beatriz; Vilarinho, C; Ferreira, Célia

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.2/14545

Use this identifier to reference this record.

Name:	Description:	Size:	Format:
sociology of waste_accepted.pdf		242.08 KB	Adobe PDF	Download

Send Feedback

Authors

Bringsken, Beatriz

Vilarinho, C

Ferreira, Célia

Abstract(s)

The sociology of waste approach is useful to support the implementation of innovations in a municipal waste management system, based on theoretical and behavioral evidence from the local context and background. Social studies focused on waste governance can improve decision making processes, facilitate the design of better policies, interventions and campaigns in a community. On this basis, the aim of this research paper is to address the potential influence of social norms as a predictor of behavior change, to assure a positive impact in a community facing the implementation of a PAYT (Pay-as-you-throw) tariffs system. An indicator of the sustainable impact of the project is when local people make efforts to set new social norms. The perceived ‘normal’ patterns of behavior within a specific group of citizens adapting to this innovation are considered evidences of social norm’s transformation. People’s perception of others behaviors coded as descriptive social norm is an instrument of influence, so it is important to expand the theoretical understanding of these behavioral factors. In case the desirable social norm is established by the group, less political and legal guidance is necessary during the implementation phase, and the solid evidence of community ownership of the waste management project related to ‘Pay-as-you-throw’ tariffs could ensure the long-lasting impact of this innovation. Therefore, this study conceptualizes social norms, more specifically typical empirical or descriptive norms, as a theoretical tool to identify the most salient pattern of behavior for separating and managing household waste disposal to substantiate the development of an Action Research Approach to be performed within a Portuguese community in the city of São João da Madeira as they are about to adopt PAYT tariffs as technological innovation for waste management.