Socioeconomic factors associated with household waste separation and valorization in Ecuador

Abstract

Household waste management is a relevant component of environmental sustainability, especially in contexts marked by territorial gaps, institutional constraints, and unequal access to information and services. Against this background, this article examines the association between socioeconomic characteristics and the probability that Ecuadorian households adopt domestic waste sorting and valorization-compatible disposal practices. The study follows a quantitative approach, with a non-experimental cross-sectional design, a descriptive-correlational scope, and a combined use of descriptive and inferential statistics. Microdata from the 2023 National Survey of Employment, Unemployment and Underemployment (ENEMDU) were used as the data source, and binary choice models were estimated using Logit and Probit specifications. The dependent variable was constructed as a composite indicator that combines household waste sorting practices with disposal behaviors compatible with valorization. The results reveal a clear socioeconomic pattern. Education emerges as the most influential factor, with a strong gradient in the estimated probability of the observed behavior as schooling increases. Urban residence ranks second in magnitude, highlighting the relevance of infrastructure, municipal services, and territorial conditions for implementation. Income, age, and gender also show positive and statistically significant associations, although with lower magnitude. The comparison between Logit and Probit confirms the stability of the findings. The study provides recent nationally representative microeconometric evidence on household waste management in Ecuador and shows that the adoption of sustainable practices depends primarily on differences in human capital and territorial context. Policy implications point to the need to strengthen environmental education, reduce territorial gaps, and improve local institutional capacity.