Promoting Sustainability in an Aging City: Drivers of Proper Pharmaceuticals Disposal

Arbués, Fernando (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Balado-Naves, Roberto ; Villanúa, Inmaculada (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: In a demographic context marked by a rapid increase in the older adult population, pharmaceutical residues represent an increasing threat to sustainability. Promoting the proper disposal of this waste by households is fundamental in attaining the SDGs, particularly SDG 8. This paper assesses the determinants influencing household participation in take‐back programs for pharmaceutical waste in an aging city. To this end, we estimate an econometric model where pharmaceutical waste disposal habits are explained by factors grouped into environmental attitudes, socioeconomic factors, and dwelling characteristics. As environmental attitudes include an endogenous factor (individuals' environmental concern), a bivariate probit model is estimated to avoid inconsistent results. The study shows that environmental concern is the most relevant variable and is positively influenced by the knowledge of environmental campaigns and educational level. This research offers a valuable tool for promoting sustainable pharmaceutical waste management, allowing identification of relevant population segments and enabling targeted measures.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1002/sd.70179

Año: 2025

Publicado en: Sustainable Development (2025), [12 pp.]
ISSN: 0968-0802

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/S23-23R
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/S40-23R
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICINN/PID2020-115183RB-C21
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICINN/PID2020-115495RA-I00
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICINN/PID2022-140010OB-I00

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Economía Aplicada (Dpto. Economía Aplicada)
Área (Departamento): Área Fund. Análisis Económico (Dpto. Análisis Económico)