Perceptual Analysis of Municipal Waste Administration from a Citizen Perspective in Los Olivos, 2025

Abstract

City garbage disposal handling has become a major ecological concern in cities experiencing accelerated expansion, where population growth and institutional constraints contribute to increasing waste generation and environmental degradation. In this context, residents’ perceptions—shaped by their daily experiences with public cleaning, collection frequency, transparency, and participation—have become a key indicator for assessing municipal efficiency. The purpose of this research was to analyze how residents’ viewpoints are associated with local waste administration practices in the Los Olivos area during the year 2025. Methodologically, a quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional, correlational design was followed. The study included 384 participants of legal age, who were chosen using a probabilistic selection method with equal likelihood for all eligible individuals. Data were collected via a Likert-scale questionnaire, which demonstrated both content validity and reliability. For inferential analysis in IBM SPSS, and given the lack of normality in the data, Spearman’s Rho test was applied. The findings revealed a substantial and statistically significant positive correlation (ρ = 0,809; p < 0,001), indicating a strong association between citizens’ perceptions and municipal management, without implying causation. Medium and high levels predominated, reflecting moderate acceptance. It is concluded that citizen evaluation is an essential strategic tool for refining public policies, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen environmental education and institutional transparency to achieve a legitimate and resource-efficient waste management structure.