Relationship between waste management in student accommodation and students' knowledge of waste management in relation to energy transition

Abstract: In the context of the current energy transition and sustainable development, the promotion of waste separation and waste management is a good means of promoting the energy transition. Waste, when recycled, can contribute to the energy transition in many ways, for example by generating electricity, heating, recycling into raw materials for reuse and producing biofuels. In the process, fossil fuels and overall energy use can be reduced. Sweden is a country with excellent waste management. However, with the current increasing number of university students, many student residences with characteristics that make them isolated from the local community and difficult to manage are emerging. This study was carried out in Visby, Gotland, Sweden. It explored the waste sorting behaviour of students in student accommodation and the extent to which students have knowledge about waste sorting in relation to the energy transition. At the same time, the study attempts to dataset student waste sorting behaviour and knowledge of waste sorting and energy transition, and to find whether there is a relationship between these two variables. The study uses a survey method, and the results are analysed using both qualitative and Pearson’s Correlation test. It was found that the current waste sorting behaviour of students in student accommodation is not very good. This is related to a number of factors, such as whether the students have completed their pre-university studies in Sweden and the students' academic qualifications. According to the survey, the three factors that students think affect their waste sorting behaviour are the benefits of sorting waste, food waste needs to be sorted in special bags and it is difficult to get used to the complex waste sorting system in Sweden. The largest number of respondents felt that it would help them to be more diligent in sorting their waste if waste sorting initiatives could be set up in student residences. The research found a moderate correlation between the waste sorting behaviour of students at Visby and knowledge related to waste sorting and energy transition.