Ricerc@Sapienza

The object of our research is recycling practices in Rome. The Government of Roma Capitale has approved a ¿Plan for the Reduction and Management of Post-Consumer Materials (2017-2021)¿. The increase up to 70% of the percentage of recycled waste is one of the key targets. The fulfillment of the plan rests on citizens¿ engagement at different levels: individual behaviours, participative decision-making processes, civic associations¿ engagement for the implementation of specific actions.
For this reason in our research we frame recycling as an interaction system among Municipality (as a political and executive actor), professional staff (AMA, the public company charged of the waste collection and treatment in Rome) and citizens. According to this framework the success of recycling policies depends on the interplay of intentions, perception, attitudes and behaviours of all the agents involved.
To better analyse this complex object of research, a mixed-methods design will be carry out. A qualitative approach will be used to study how public institutions, AMA and environmental grassroots organizations frame the issue of recycling, and to understand their expectations in order to widespread the recycling culture and practice in Rome. On the other hand, a more quantitative data collection and analysis design will be develop to investigate citizens¿ attitudes, opinions and behaviours about recycling.
To gather data about citizens¿ recycling practices a smartphone app will be implemented. By the app it will be also possible to get contextual and punctual information (such as garbage bins conditions) from citizens, fostering in this way a monitoring system based on the interaction between citizens and institutions.
The two parts of the research (the qualitative analysis of institutions¿ and organizations¿ visions and activities and the quantitative analysis of citizens¿ attitudes and behaviours) will be blended together and shared with local stakeholders and decision makers.