Analysis of the relationship between environmental awareness and residents’ willingness to engage in household waste segregation practices in San Miguel, Lima.

Abstract

This applied, correlational, cross-sectional study examined the relationship between environmental awareness and household waste segregation practices in 383 residents of the district of San Miguel, Lima, during 2024. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire applied to a non-probabilistic sample, assessing the cognitive, affective and conative dimensions of environmental awareness, as well as self-reported segregation behaviors and attitudes. Results showed moderate levels of cognitive awareness and knowledge about segregation, high affective awareness, and low to moderate levels of conative awareness. Participants presented moderately favorable behaviors and mainly positive attitudes. However, Spearman's correlation analysis (ρ = 0.048; p = 0.350) did not evidence a statistically significant relationship between overall environmental awareness and segregation practices. These findings suggest that awareness alone does not predict effective segregation, so strategies need to focus on developing practical skills and reducing barriers to translate environmental concern into consistent action.