Investigation on the solid waste recyclers’ perspective in La Paz, Bolivia

Bolivia faces increasing challenges with solid waste management. Rapid urbanisation and population growth will increase the need of Bolivia’s cities to develop an effective waste management system. This study performed 998 household surveys in La Paz through online forms during the covid19 pandemic. The aim is to explore residents’ waste recycling practices and their connection with waste collection services. Survey results point to provide information related to the characteristics of the citizens that are active in recycling in a low-middle income context, where separate collection actions are under development and the informal recycling exist. The study included a correlation analysis to assess the main factors that can influence the involvement of the population within the separate collection system. Results reported that the citizens more active in recycling in La Paz are likely women, with an educational level (undergraduate or graduate) and with an age between 30 and 40 years or older than 50 years. The informal recycling sector is responsible to give an effective alternative collection system to the citizens of lower income levels, increasing the participation of the citizens of La Paz in appropriate circular economy systems. These findings highlight the potential for improving Bolivia’s solid waste management by implementing recycling plans with the introduction of information campaigns and infrastructures.