Trust and Community Interactions in Recycling Behavior: The Case of a Differentiated Waste Collection Program in Paraguay

ABSTRACT This study evaluates a pilot program for differentiated waste collection in Asunción, Paraguay, a city where no formal recycling services previously existed. The initiative connected households with urban recyclers, encouraging source separation and fostering cooperation in recycling efforts. To evaluate the impact of the program, we used a mixed‐methods approach that included a randomized controlled trial and qualitative interviews. We find that participating households reported 90% more frequent interactions and 38% higher trust in urban recyclers compared to non‐participants. According to the interviews, the program also improved recyclers’ working conditions, social recognition, and self‐perception. Despite challenges related to waste sorting quality and service logistics, the pilot demonstrated that trust‐building and community engagement can strengthen collective action in recycling. Scaling up will require addressing operational barriers, improving recycler profitability, and sustaining participatory design processes.