Evaluating Consumer Preferences for Separate Plastic Collection

Employed in the majority of developed countries, separate waste collection is widely considered to be beneficial for state economy due to advantages that recycling provides for production. However, in specific Russian regions its spread is hindered by many economic and social factors, as well as citizens’ individual attitude towards waste separation, collection and recycling. This study uses data collected from 330 citizens living in the Russian city of Perm to determine major driving factors which impact their preferences related to separate plastic collection. A logistic regression model was based on the said data. Results of the study reveal that consumer willingness to pay is directly impacted by income, and respondents who prioritize purchasing “eco-friendly” products over less expensive ones tend to participate in plastic waste collection more actively. Overall, however, citizens seem to prefer being paid over having to pay for plastic collection. This study aims to determine region-specific preferences and might support further research in the field of environmental economics.