Jelena Titko

EKA University of Applied Sciences,

Riga, Latvia

E-mail: jelena.titko@eka.edu.lv

ORCID 0000-0003-1333-0941

Consumer challenges with waste sorting at Latvian households

Laura Zarane

EKA University of Applied Sciences,

Riga, Latvia

E-mail: laura.zarane@gmail.com

Tatjana Tambovceva

Faculty of Engineering Economics and Management, Riga Technical University, Latvia

E-mail: tatjana.tambovceva@rtu.lv

ORCID 0000-0002-9516-1530

Abstract. The research goal is to evaluate the challenges of waste management at Latvian households. Latvian citizens were surveyed using the authors’ developed questionnaire. Test for internal consistency using Cronbach alpha was performed to evaluate the quality of the questionnaire’s scales. Data was analyzed applying the methods of frequency analysis, rank correlation (Spearman rho coefficient), Mann Whitney U test. The main identified problem for Latvian consumers was a limited availability of waste sorting containers. Besides, the research revealed a low motivation of Latvian consumers. Financial matters were identified as the most important motivating factors. This pilot study was aimed at technical testing the measurement scale and preliminary testing of some hypotheses. The authors’ developed scale can be used for a large-scale study, or cross-country research. The results provide a background for further investigation of people intention to participate in waste management or reasons why people refuse.  This research distinguishing itself from others its focus on factors affecting citizens’ attitude toward waste sorting and their motivation. 

Received: November, 2024

1st Revision: September, 2025

Accepted: December, 2025

DOI: 10.14254/2071-789X.2025/18-4/4

JEL Classification: Q01, Q56, R20

Keywords: household waste management, motivation, challenges, Latvia