The waste of a bad policy on municipal solid waste : a study on the effect of the satisfaction level of citizens and the perceived quality of waste in the Netherlands

A trend in municipal solid waste (MSW) policy in the Netherlands is an increasing concern on the declining quality of waste streams. This trend is problematic for achieving sustainability goals and the efficiency rate of the costs of the MSW policy. The goal of this research is to try to investigate the relationship between MSW policies, the level of satisfaction and the quality of waste. For this research, data is collected using a survey. The results show no significant effect between the aforementioned specific MSW policy design variables and the level of satisfaction in general. However, to improve the satisfaction level of the MSW policy, municipalities can adjust their policy into being perceived by their citizens as being payable, providing comfort and are contributing to the environment. Next to this, the results show that satisfaction positively relates to the quality of waste. Also, if a resident has a low frequency rate of residual waste collection, this person perceives that he or she will recycle better. The perceived level of communication also affects both the level of satisfaction as the perceived quality of waste.