Information about waste: a right of service users

Citizens have an essential role in waste management but it is the local authorities who are responsible for collecting household waste in urban areas and, therefore, are the main nexus between citizens and the system that handles waste management. Therefore it is essential that a good two-way communication exists between them, so there must be a channel set up to provide information and also be willing to listen.

Our study reveals shortcomings in the current online information on waste but also provides improvement guidelines to be followed by municipalities and waste management companies used by them. The citizen is entitled to good online information that should be sufficient, accessible, understandable, user-friendly and up-to-date. The way waste is collected, the description of the subsequent treatment, data on the results of waste management, information on the applicable rules and a visible means of contact for citizens are five key aspects to take care over so that citizens can easily collaborate on waste management, see the value of their work and also to avoid suspicion and increase transparency.