PERCEPTION, ATTITUDES AND KNOWLEDGE OF STUDENTS OF THE POLYTECHNIC OF MEDIMURJE ABOUT THE SYSTEM OF SUSTAINABLE WASTE MANAGEMENT

Irresponsible human attitude towards the environment stems from poor information about the consequences of improper disposal and waste management and insufficiently developed environmental awareness. Implementing education and action on the awareness of the individual and the general public results in achieving waste management goals and thus represents a long-term and profitable investment. This research aimed to determine the level of theoretical knowledge about the disposal of household waste and the application o ecological principles of environmental protection in the daily life of students of the Polytechnic of Medimurje. The research results indicate students' sensitivity to the problem of waste, which varies depending on the segment of the researched problem because some types of waste are recycled more and others less, without the expected impact of the fee. Students are more aware than citizens of avoiding waste and are more willing to act environmentally. In contrast, unlike citizens, they are less willing to spend more money to solve the problem of waste. It was concluded that only the continuous and joint work of the educational system and home education raises the ecological awareness of the individual and helps build a positive attitude of students towards environmental protection.