Studying waste-related behaviors and their ecological consequences is challenging due to the complexity of social, economic, and biological factors at play. However, by combining population ecology, environmental sociology, and transformative learning approaches, the project aims to uncover the underlying causes of waste management inefficiencies and their impact on rat populations. The study will examine waste sorting behaviors, perceptions of waste citizenship, and the structural factors influencing waste governance, particularly in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas.
Waste management practices are often shaped by cultural norms, infrastructure limitations, socio-political expectations, as well as individual capabilities. While intuitive reasoning suggests that improved waste sorting should reduce rat populations and associated health risks, past research has shown that ecological and behavioral feedback loops can produce unexpected outcomes. Similar to how badger culling in England unintentionally increased bovine tuberculosis transmission, urban rat populations may respond in unforeseen ways to changes in waste governance.
Over the next three years, a multidisciplinary research team will conduct an in-depth study on urban waste management and rat ecology, supported by Kone Foundation. The project has received 300 thousand euros in funding and will employ a dedicated research team, under the guidance of principal investigator Tuomas Aivelo. The project is structured into three interconnected phases: Representations of Finnish Environmental Citizenship, Multispecies Waste Management and Expectations and Challenges in Waste Citizenship for Vulnerable Groups.
By integrating ecological approaches with social science methodologies, the research will provide novel insights into the dynamics of waste governance and urban biodiversity. The findings will contribute to policy recommendations aimed at fostering inclusive environmental citizenship and more effective waste management. In addition to producing high-impact scientific publications, the project will engage stakeholders through seminars and workshops, ensuring that its insights informboth academic discourse and practical policy implementation. Ultimately, this research will advance our understanding of how waste management practices shape urban ecosystems and social cohesion, offering actionable solutions for a more sustainable and equitable future.