Commissioned by the Municipality of The Hague, Erasmus University has conducted research into the causes of litter nuisance in the city. The study shows that waste behavior is strongly influenced by daily routines, living conditions, social relationships, and how residents perceive the municipality’s efforts. The conclusions align closely with the measures in the current Waste Action Plan 2023–2026 and simultaneously provide direction for further strengthening the approach to waste management.
Alderman Arjen Kapteijns (Raw Materials) reacts positively to the results: “ This research confirms that we are moving in the right direction in The Hague. We have already taken significant steps in recent years, but the insights from Erasmus University help us to align even better with the daily lives of residents. Due to the growth of the city, the strong increase in online orders, and changing consumption patterns, simply more and more waste is being generated. We are on the right track, but this requires sustained effort. That is why we continue to invest in an approach that works for the city and its residents. ”
Key insights from the research
The researchers show that waste nuisance is not isolated from broader social and physical conditions. Some key conclusions:
- Space and rhythm play a major role: limited space in the house, full containers, or the impression that containers are full lead to additional waste being placed more quickly. If a garbage bag is already lying next to a container or one of the containers is jammed, it creates the impression that everything is full.
- Context determines behavior : residents are more likely to dispose of waste incorrectly when they are in a hurry, have little space, or see no alternative. For example, someone wants to catch the tram, has limited space in their home, sees that the container is full, and decides that a ‘non-dirty’ item can safely be left outside for a while.
- Socio-economic pressures such as stress, temporary occupancy, and overcrowding increase the likelihood of litter nuisance. Residents sometimes think that their neighborhood receives less attention, while in fact, extra cleaning is often carried out there.
- Knowledge and language barriers cause misunderstandings regarding waste regulations, especially among newcomers and residents without a local network.
- Social relationships in the neighborhood influence waste disposal behavior: less mutual contact means less informal correction.
- Enforcement alone does not work because it does not resolve the structural causes of waste nuisance. An interplay of the aforementioned causes has a greater influence on behavior.
- Trust and feedback are crucial: if reports are not visibly addressed, reporting fatigue sets in.
Municipality continues set course and expands
The Municipal Executive views the study as an important confirmation of the course set in the Waste Action Plan. Many recommendations align directly with measures already being implemented or soon to be expanded. At the same time, the municipality is using the new insights to further deepen and broaden the approach.
Five-point plan: how The Hague will proceed
Based on the research, the municipality is intensifying and broadening its approach on five points. The municipality is bundling the recommendations into a broad strengthening of the existing approach. In 2026, area-based working will be expanded with additional project managers for waste and cleanliness, enabling better tailored solutions per neighborhood. Residents and local organizations will receive more scope and support through neighborhood budgets or micro-subsidies, as well as additional appreciation events for volunteers. Information provision will be intensified with more waste advisors, clearer multilingual communication, and faster feedback on reports. Additionally, there will be a stronger focus on reuse, including by linking more repair cafés and recycling initiatives to cleanup days. Finally, collection will be further increased: containers will be emptied more frequently, particularly on weekends, and operations will be better aligned with the rhythm of the city.
Outlook
The municipality is incorporating the recommendations into the successor to the Waste Action Plan. In doing so, explicit attention is being paid to the connection with other themes such as poverty, housing, and well-being, because, according to the research, waste nuisance is closely intertwined with broader living conditions. Waste nuisance cannot be solved with just extra containers or increased enforcement. It is about living conditions, trust, and cooperation. This research helps us maintain that broad perspective.