On January 9, at the Faculty of Economics of the University of Valencia, the defense of the doctoral thesis "Why do we decide to recycle? The influence of communication and trust on sustainable waste management," presented by Paula Andrea García Ortiz, a student in the doctoral program in International Economics and Tourism at the University of Valencia, and supervised by Dr. Haydeé Calderón and Dr. Teresa Fayos. The panel included Dr. Manuel Cauadrado from the University of Valencia, Dr. María Fuentes from Pablo de Olavide University, and Dr. Yacine Ouazzani from the Autonomous University of Barcelona.
The thesis was awarded the highest grade of Summa Cum Laude.
This thesis was made possible thanks to collaboration between the University of Valencia and the Metropolitan Waste Treatment Authority (EMTRE), which hired a research team from the University of Valencia to study the recycling habits of the population. This case exemplifies the importance of cooperation between universities, businesses, and public institutions, allowing scientific knowledge to be transferred to real decision-making and contributing directly to the improvement of public services and the sustainable development of the region.
The doctoral thesis analyzes how to improve recycling and waste management in the Valencia metropolitan area based on a study of citizen behavior. The research shows that the success of the most advanced waste management models in Europe depends not only on infrastructure, but also on key factors such as awareness, communication, trust in the system, and quality of service, which directly influence the intention and actual practice of recycling in households.
The study combines an analysis of European best practices with a comprehensive empirical study based on 1,200 surveys of citizens in the Valencia metropolitan area, which has made it possible to identify barriers, motivations, and differences according to age, gender, and income level. The results offer practical recommendations for increasing citizen participation, optimizing public resources, and strengthening the circular economy.
Representatives of the Metropolitan Waste Treatment Authority (EMTRE): Francisco Potenciano (Managing Director) and Antonio Bernabé (Head of Environmental Education) together with PhD student Paula Andrea García Ortiz and her two co-directors: Haydée Calderón and Teresa Fayos.
