Key factors to improve the management of household hazardous waste

Abstract

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW), although produced in small quantities, is often mixed with other municipal waste, disrupting treatment processes and contaminating products such as compost from organic recycling. In this context, as of January 2025 European Union Member States have been required to implement separate collection for HHW. This research aims to address gaps in the scientific literature by examining citizens' knowledge and perceptions, which are key to the success of such systems, regarding the hazardous products they acquire and store at home. The study also explores the factors influencing citizens' participation in separate collection systems for this waste. A questionnaire was administered to 215 citizens in a predominantly urban municipality in Portugal, which lacks a consistent separate collection system for HHW. The findings reveal that citizens have health-related concerns about HHW risks, but a limited recognition of labels and hazard symbols. The public is likely to use a future HHW separate collection service, favouring street containers over mobile units or kerbside collection. The system should provide clear disposal information, ensure accessibility, and be supported by awareness campaigns focusing on label interpretation and the risks of packaging, rather than just the products themselves. Municipal technicians from the region were also interviewed to gain insights into the current situation and future planning. These findings are crucial for practitioners and policymakers, as they will help shape decisions on the type of collection systems to implement and to improve strategies and practices, ultimately benefiting the effectiveness of municipal waste management.