State Reform of Waste Management in the Context of Public Expectations

What is it about?

Introduction: One of the current directions in the study of environmental policy and reforms in solid municipal waste management (SMW) at the national and local levels is the analysis of public expectations and the anticipated management based on the obtained data. Objective: To identify public sentiments and expectations of the population experiencing intense negative impacts due to proximity to waste disposal and utilization facilities. Methods: Sociological (survey) research and monitoring of mass media based on the "Medialogy" media measurement system. Results: Respondents living near waste disposal facilities show a high level of concern about the environmental well-being of their place of residence. However, most survey participants do not perceive the likelihood of the expansion of landfills as high. They primarily identify industrial emissions, unauthorized dumps, and vehicle emissions, rather than landfill sites, as the most dangerous sources of environmental distress. 65% of respondents see the "waste" reform as a threat to their economic well-being and assess the reform through the prism of tariffs for municipal services, rather than the environmental benefits and feasibility. The identified contradiction between the actual goals of the reform and its reflection in the social sphere can be addressed through a "preventive" approach in handling public opinion. Conclusions: State policy on landfill reclamation operates more as a reactive measure, anticipating potential tension in areas near such facilities. Respondents are potentially willing to take action in case of worsening situations, including complaints to relevant authorities. Still, they are not aware of which organizations are specifically responsible for the condition of the landfills. A significant portion of those surveyed rated the quality of the "waste" reform, conducted in part under the influence of various environmental protest actions, as low. At the same time, people are least willing to take effective action to solve the issue on their own.

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