Survey: Austrians Want to Separate Their Waste Even on Vacation

85 percent of respondents want more waste separation bins in public spaces and holiday accommodations, as stated in a VOEB press release on Friday. Many are unclear about how to properly separate waste abroad.

For the survey, 1,000 people aged between 14 and 75 were interviewed from the end of May to the beginning of June. Accordingly, people from western Austria are more willing to actively separate waste: In Tyrol and Vorarlberg, it was 82 percent, in Salzburg 81 percent. In Vienna, only 59 percent of respondents said they also pay careful attention to waste separation while on vacation. "To ensure waste separation succeeds on vacation, we need to offer simple solutions or separation options in hotels, private accommodations, and tourist areas. Affected communities are asked to make waste separation as easy as possible for their guests," said Gabriele Jüly, President of the VOEB, according to the press release.

Waste Separation Abroad Often Unclear

Abroad, correct waste disposal is not so easy for many: 71 percent agreed with the statement that it is often unclear to them how to properly separate waste abroad. Half of the respondents said they still inform themselves about local regulations and take them into account. The high mobility and growing environmental awareness show, according to Jüly, that efforts are needed to expand the possibilities for waste separation abroad and in tourist hotspots. According to VOEB, two of Austria's neighboring countries serve as role models: Italy is expanding the four-bin system in public spaces, and in Slovenia, it is possible to properly dispose of batteries and electronic devices at public collection points.

Differences in waste separation were also found between age groups. Overall, 29 percent of respondents said they generate more waste on vacation than at home. However, among respondents belonging to Gen Z, almost half stated this, while only eight percent of baby boomers agreed with the statement. Older people, on the other hand, showed overall greater mindfulness, both in terms of waste avoidance and waste separation.

(APA/Red)

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