Towards zero waste: circular behaviors in Polish university student households

Justyna Trippner-Hrabi; Jacek Chądzyński; Pamela Jeziorska-Biel; Ewa Szafrańska

doi:10.31648/aspal.11075

Published: 2025-10-16

Vol. 24 No. 3 (2025)

Towards zero waste: circular behaviors in Polish university student households

Justyna Trippner-Hrabi

, Jacek Chądzyński

, Pamela Jeziorska-Biel , Ewa Szafrańska

Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Administratio Locorum

Section: Articles

https://doi.org/10.31648/aspal.11075

Abstract

This article aims to provide knowledge about circular practices (behaviors) in students’ households. The application of attitude theory proved useful in the considerations as an organizational theoretical framework and for research purposes (creating the structure of the research tool). The authors present the results of quantitative research – a survey method. The research material was obtained through a survey technique and an online questionnaire research tool, from 567 students from 5 Polish higher education institutions (both public and private).
Building habits related to the circular economy (CE), the so-called micro-decisions (or “droplet” decisions), which are routinely made in one’s household, constitute an important step in shaping the circularity of this household and consequently support the transition of the entire economy from a linear to a circular model. Seemingly insignificant daily decisions (e.g., whether to drink tap water or buy bottled water, or whether to throw a book in the trash or give it to someone), when accumulated, have a profound meaning and lead to significant, holistic change.
The conclusions from the conducted research take the form of recommendations and identification of areas that require support in building circular households for young people. The research found that, the level of circularity of student households is highly diversified and depends on the type of activities and the infrastructural context (housing conditions), and there is a clear gap between theoretical knowledge and practical implementation of the principles of the CE, particularly visible in the area of food management and involvement in local ecological initiatives.

Keywords:

circular economy, attitude, circular behaviors, household, students, survey method

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Trippner-Hrabi, J., Chądzyński, J., Jeziorska-Biel, P., & Szafrańska, E. (2025). Towards zero waste: circular behaviors in Polish university student households. Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Administratio Locorum, 24(3), 469–483. https://doi.org/10.31648/aspal.11075

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Justyna Trippner-Hrabi

justyna.hrabi@uni.lodz.pl
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3241-1122

Affiliation:

University of Łódź, Łódź Poland

Jacek Chądzyński

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1652-6387

Affiliation:

University of Łódź, Łódź Poland

Pamela Jeziorska-Biel

Affiliation:

University of Łódź, Łódź Poland

Ewa Szafrańska

Affiliation:

University of Łódź, Łódź Poland