| dc.description.abstract | Invasive alien plant species pose a significant threat to ecosystems globally, including those in Norway. One major pathway for their spread is from residential gardens, particularly through illegal dumping of garden waste. Despite its importance, research on the drivers of this behavior remains scarce, especially in Norway.
This thesis aims at filling this gap by investigating the reasons leading to garden waste being dumped in green areas rather than delivered to approved waste facilities. This is done by analyzing data from a questionnaire conducted by Trondheim Municipality in 2023, on garden waste disposal behaviors and perceptions. The questionnaire reached 3728 recipients, of which 345 (9.3%) responded. The data was analyzed using a modified version of the Theory of Planned Behavior, employing chi-square tests and logistic regression. Additionally, an interview was conducted with representatives working within management of waste and invasive alien species in Trondheim, to gain insight into their perspectives and the challenges they face in preventing garden waste dumping.
The findings revealed that knowledge about the negative consequences of garden waste dumping decreased the likelihood of such behavior, both directly and indirectly through attitudes. Attitudes were found to promote the use of appropriate waste disposal methods, with seeing the point of proper garden waste disposal and being content with the existing solutions being especially significant. The influence of neighbors dumping garden waste significantly increased the likelihood of individuals doing the same. Perceived behavioral control variables showed a weak association with garden waste dumping and using the municipal garden waste center. Surprisingly, for the municipal garden waste collection campaign, an increase in barriers led to increased use of the campaign, likely due to those with few barriers not using the campaign.
The interview revealed that the main challenges of preventing garden waste dumping were related to uncertainty about which measures and disposal solutions would prove effective, difficulties with information dispersal, and practical obstacles in extending proper waste disposal solutions. The results indicate that increasing the knowledge among inhabitants, along with changing attitudes and targeting social norms, could be the most effective measures against garden waste dumping | |
