Aneta Vasiljevic-Shikaleska, Goran Trpovski, Biljana Gjozinska
Integrated Business Institute, Boul. 3ta Makedonska Brigada, 66A, 1000 Skopje, R. Macedonia
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31410/EMAN.2018.960
2nd International Scientific Conference – EMAN 2018 – Economics and Management: How to Cope With Disrupted Times, Ljubljana – Slovenia, March 22, 2018, CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS published by: Association of Economists and Managers of the Balkans, Belgrade, Serbia; Faculty of Management Koper, Slovenia; Doba Business School – Maribor, Slovenia; Integrated Business Faculty – Skopje, Macedonia; Faculty of Management – Zajecar, Serbia, ISBN 978-86-80194-11-0
Abstract
The aim of the paper was to investigate the public performance on waste minimization and energy efficiency as one of the essential components of the ”circular economy in practice” concept. For that purpose a Survey was conducted by distributing questionnaires randomly among the residents of Skopje (R. Macedonia). Descriptive statistical analysis was used to summarize collected data. The results indicate that the public awareness about the effects arising from the human activities which at most influence the climate changes nowadays is on a satisfactory level. In that direction, the residents of Skopje hold a positive attitude towards saving the energy in their households by utilizing electrical equipment which is energy efficient and saving the energy wherever possible. But, on the other hand, they do not practice selection of the waste, nor recycling and reusing of the materials (36 % and 63% of the respondents do not select the waste or recycle/reuse the materials at all).
It was also observed that the performances of the public concerning the waste minimization and energy efficiency are affected by the age and level of education of the respondents.
Taking all together, although the environmental awareness of the public is on a satisfactory level, the practice level is still moderate and more intensive activities have to be undertaken to induce the public to act in a more pro-environmental way.
Key words
pro-environmental activities, waste minimization, energy efficiency, circular economy