The effect of gender and age structure on municipal waste generation in Poland

Waste Manag. 2015 Jun:40:3-8. doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2015.03.020. Epub 2015 Apr 2.

Abstract

In this study the effect of gender and age structure on municipal waste generation was investigated. The data from 10-year period, from 2001 to 2010 year, were taken into consideration. The following parameters of gender and age structure were analyzed: men and woman quantity, female to male ratio, number of working, pre-working and post-working age men/women, number of unemployed men/women. The results have showed a strong correlation of annual per capita waste generation rate with number of unemployed women (r=0.70) and female to male ratio (r=0.81). This indicates that waste generation rate is more depended on ratio of men and women that on quantitative size of each group. Using the regression analysis a model describing the dependence between female to male ratio, number of unemployed woman and waste quantity was determined. The model explains 70% of waste quantity variation. Obtained results can be used both to improve waste management and to a fuller understanding of gender behavior.

Keywords: Age structure; Gender issue; Waste management; Waste quantity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Algorithms
  • Behavior*
  • Conservation of Natural Resources
  • Female
  • Geography
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Poland
  • Refuse Disposal / methods*
  • Regression Analysis
  • Sex Factors
  • Sex Ratio
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Unemployment
  • Urban Population
  • Waste Management / methods
  • Young Adult