Looking for value in garbage: intervention in domestic solid waste management

The objective was to determine the effects of the intervention in the management of domestic solid waste for reuse, with the aim of reducing the environmental impact in the district of Los Olivos. The approach was quantitative, descriptive, quasi-experimental design. The population consisted of 40 families from a condominium in the north of Lima who were trained with 12 educational sessions on solid waste management. The participatory mechanism used was the intervention of a program that managed the reuse of domestic solid waste, which involved citizen participation in the municipal waste management process in order to reduce environmental impact and improve citizen awareness. The instrument used was an 11 question questionnaire on the level of knowledge about solid waste that it categorizes as adequate, moderately adequate and inadequate. Likewise, for the collection indicators, information from the SIGERSOL 2017 system was used, based on current regulations (paper, plastics, glass, and organic waste). The data collection techniques were direct observation and survey, respecting ethical considerations. The results demonstrated the effects of educational intervention in the management of domestic solid waste, and serves as a sustainable cooperation strategy within municipal environmental policies. It is concluded that the educational intervention plays a predominant role in the creation of responsibility, conscience and commitment of the citizens, thus developing a culture of care of the environment in the community. Hence the importance of educating and promoting good practices in the management of domestic solid waste to preserve the environment and improve the quality of life of the community

Survey on household solid waste sorting at source in developing economies : a case study of Nur-Sultan City in Kazakhstan

The exponential population growth in urban areas makes existing solid waste management policies and strategies challenging. The situation becomes more strenuous in fast-growing cities where increasing waste production can hardly be met by the capacity of existing facilities. Practices like waste prevention, recycling, reuse, and recovery are fundamental elements needed for the reduction of solid waste disposed in landfills, especially in fast-growing cities where more sustainable management practices need to be adopted. This study investigated the behavioral attitudes of citizens of the capital of Kazakhstan, Nur-Sultan (former Astana), towards household solid waste disposal and separation at the source. The survey was conducted through stratified random sampling during April and July of 2018 with the participation of 3281 respondents. It is the first attempt, to our knowledge, of assessing recycling trends in Kazakhstan from the household perspective. The results showed that 24% of respondents were already sorting household solid waste despite the absence of a separation system at the source. The study further demonstrated that separation at source could be effective if the local authorities were to introduce sound public awareness campaigns and install recycling bins in close proximity to residential buildings

Twelve factors influencing sustainable recycling of municipal solid waste in developing countries

Sustainable management of solid waste is a global concern, as exemplified by the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDG) that 191 member states support. The seventh MDG indirectly advocates for municipal solid waste management (MSWM) by aiming to ensure environmental sustainability into countries’ policies and programs and reverse negative environmental impact. Proper MSWM will likely result in relieving poverty, reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, and preventing disease, which are MDG goals one, four, five, and six, respectively (UNMDG, 2005). Solid waste production is increasing worldwide as the global society strives to obtain a decent quality of life. Several means exist in which the amount of solid waste going to a landfill can be reduced, such as incineration with energy production, composting of organic wastes, and material recovery through recycling, which are all considered sustainable methods by which to manage MSW. In the developing world, composting is already a widely-accepted method to reduce waste fated for the landfill, and incineration for energy recovery can be a costly capital investment for most communities. Therefore, this research focuses on recycling as a solution to the municipal solid waste production problem while considering the three dimensions of sustainability environment, society, and economy. First, twenty-three developing country case studies were quantitatively and qualitatively examined for aspects of municipal solid waste management. The municipal solid waste (MSW) generation and recovery rates, as well as the composition were compiled and assessed. The average MSW generation rate was 0.77 kg/person/day, with recovery rates varying from 5 – 40%. The waste streams of nineteen of these case studies consisted of 0 – 70% recyclable material and 17 – 80% organic material. All twenty-three case studies were analyzed qualitatively by identifying any barriers or incentives to recycling, which justified the creation of twelve factors influencing sustainable municipal solid waste management (MSWM) in developing countries. The presence of regulations, enforcement of laws, and use of incentive schemes constitutes the first factor, Government Policy. Cost of MSWM operations, the budget allocated to MSWM by local to national governments, as well as the stability and reliability of funds comprise the Government Finances factor influencing recycling in the third world. Many case studies indicated that understanding features of a waste stream such as the generation and recovery rates and composition is the first measure in determining proper management solutions, which forms the third factor Waste Characterization. The presence and efficiency of waste collection and segregation by scavengers, municipalities, or private contractors was commonly addressed by the case studies, which justified Waste Collection and Segregation as the fourth factor. Having knowledge of MSWM and an understanding of the linkages between human behavior, waste handling, and health/sanitation/environment comprise the Household Education factor. Individuals’ income influencing waste handling behavior (e.g., reuse, recycling, and illegal dumping), presence of waste collection/disposal fees, and willingness to pay by residents were seen as one of the biggest incentives to recycling, which justified them being combined into the Household Economics factor. The MSWM Administration factor was formed following several references to the presence and effectiveness of private and/or public management of waste through collection, recovery, and disposal influencing recycling activity. Although the MSWM Personnel Education factor was only recognized by six of the twenty-two case studies, the lack of trained laborers and skilled professionals in MSWM positions was a barrier to sustainable MSWM in every case but one. The presence and effectiveness of a comprehensive, integrative, long-term MSWM strategy was highly encouraged by every case study that addressed the tenth factor, MSWM Plan. Although seemingly a subset of private MSWM administration, the existence and profitability of market systems relying on recycled-material throughput, involvement of small businesses, middlemen, and large industries/exporters is deserving of the factor Local Recycled-Material Market. Availability and effective use of technology and/or human workforce and the safety considerations of each were recurrent barriers and incentives to recycling to warrant the Technological and Human Resources factor. The Land Availability factor takes into consideration land attributes such as terrain, ownership, and development which can often times dictate MSWM. Understanding the relationships among the twelve factors influencing recycling in developing countries, made apparent the collaborative nature required of sustainable MSWM. Factors requiring the greatest collaborative inputs include waste collection and segregation, MSWM plan, and local recycled-material market. Aligning each factor to the societal, environmental, and economic dimensions of sustainability revealed the motives behind the institutions contributing to each factor. A correlation between stakeholder involvement and sustainability existed, as supported by the fact that the only three factors driven by all three dimensions of sustainability were the same three that required the greatest collaboration with other factors. With increasing urbanization, advocating for improved health for all through the MDG, and changing consumption patterns resulting in increasing and more complex waste streams, the utilization of the collaboration web offered by this research is ever needed in the developing world. Through its use, the institutions associated with each of the twelve factors can achieve a better understanding of the collaboration necessary and beneficial for more sustainable MSWM

Integrated sustainable household solid waste management using solid waste minimisation approach in Shah Alam, Selangor

Good solid waste management has emerged as a vital element in creating cities that offer a healthy and comfortable environment for living. Municipal solid waste poses an environmental problem particularly in cities that have experienced rapid growth. Solid waste minimisation is a way of reducing the amount of solid waste generated by households. This study investigates solid waste minimisation practice among urban households in Shah Alam, Selangor and provides insight on the roles of various stakeholders involved in waste management. The study also examines the influence of households socio-demographic characteristics on psychological factors, knowledge and behaviour affecting solid waste minimisation and the quantity and composition of solid waste generated monthly per household. The study employed both inferential and descriptive analyses. Findings revealed that knowledge on solid waste minimisation has statistically significant associations with 5 socio-demographic characteristics, namely age [F(4, 295) = 2.36, p = 0.05]; race [F(2, 297) = 2.84, p = 0.05]; marital status [F(2, 297) = 2.83, p = 0.05]; monthly income [F(3, 296) = 2.86, p = 0.037] and home ownership [F(2, 297) = 5.01, p = 0.007]. Results also showed that behaviour towards waste minimisation is significantly associated with marital status [F(2, 297) = 3.51, p = 0.031], gender [F = 7.328, p = 0.00] and home ownership [F(2, 295) = 7.57, p = 0.001]. In terms of solid waste generation, the results showed that 0.46 kg of waste generated per capita per day with a composition of 45.51% recyclable materials, 33.98% food and 20.51% non-recyclable materials. The study found that the various stakeholders (waste contractor, household, junkshop, local authority, Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), Community Based Organisations (CBOs), educational institution, scavenger) act independently and there was no proper coordination existed among them in solid waste management. Therefore, local authorities should work on the collaboration with other stakeholders in providing systematic education to enhance solid waste minimisation. Based on the results of the study, a conceptual framework of Integrated Sustainable Household Solid Waste Management (ISHWM) was developed taking into account the current regulations

A Review of Barriers That Hinder Households To Separate Solid Waste at Source

Starting from 1 September 2015, the government of Malaysia has launched a waste separation program where households in Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Pahang, Perlis and Kedah have to separate their solid waste according to its composition. However, after one year of implementation, the participation of households in this program is still low. Thus, this paper reviews the barriers of solid waste separation at source based on the results gained from previous researches that have been conducted around the world. It was identified from the review that the barriers could be divided into five (5) main categories namely facility, attitude, knowledge, commitment and enforcement. These barriers could be among the issues that hindering total participation of Malaysian society in the country’s solid waste separation program. Further research should be conducted to identify which of these barriers that has contributed most to the poor participation of Malaysian society in the program. Clear understanding on the actual problem in executing the program may then lead to the formulation of the right and effective strategy and policy for solid waste separation at source initiatives in Malaysia

A Study of Policy Implementation and Community Participation in the Municipal Solid Waste Management in the Philippines

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management has become one of the most pressing environmental concerns of the Philippines at present. Several measures have been implemented to circumvent this issue, including waste management policies stipulated in the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2001.  However, the implementation of these policies even at the barangay level has always been a challenge.  Hence, this study assessed the compliance of selected barangays in Cebu City, Philippines, specifically to the integrated solid waste management plan based on the 3R’s (reduce, reuse, and recycle).  A descriptive quantitative method was utilized in this study. There were 1523 residents and 30 Barangay Environment Officials identified as respondents based on Slovin’s sampling method at a 95% confidence level. The results revealed that there is less extent of compliance in almost all of the SWM policies such as segregation, composting, recycling, incentives, and public information. There is a moderate extent of compliance in terms of collection and transport of solid waste and enforcement of penalties and fines.  However, there is non-compliance in terms of facilities for final disposal.  Furthermore, the results suggested that effective measures for recycling and composting should be undertaken to encourage higher participation among residents of the barangay. The presence of effective, functional, and marketable materials resource facilities and convenient drop-off locations for recyclable materials ensure final sorting according to its type for composting and recycling

Attributes facilitating solid waste separation at source practice among household

This study aims to identify a set of attributes to facilitate source separation practice of solid waste among households. Solid waste management has approached major environmental challenges all around the world, particularly in developing countries. Municipal solid waste generation is expected increase up to 1.8 million tons of waste per day by year 2025 in Asia countries such as China, South Korea and Malaysia. Increasing trend of solid waste generation contributed by various factors including increase of population, urbanization process, changes in consumption patterns and improvement in lifestyle. To support a more sustainable solid waste management and resources use, one of the immediate paths is to reduce overall solid waste generation by increasing the recycling rate, through solid waste separation at source. This study is focusing on external factors that likely to facilitate solid waste separation at source.practice among the households in Langkawi Island, Malaysia. The PEST model is used as the fundamental basis in formulating the attributes to facilitate source separation practice in present context. There are four attributes identified: Regulation, Incentive, Information and Infrastructure and Support. Each attributes made up of two to three sub attributes. Questionnaire survey was conducted among households in Langkawi Island, Malaysia. A total of 472 convenience sample were accumulated from the household population. Raw data gathered was analyzed using Choice based conjoint analysis performed by Sawtooth Sofware. The results indicate that most preferred attribute is Infrastructure and Support. The set of attributes identified in this study may serve as a reference for governance consideration in formulating strategy to motivate source separation practice

The Importance of Public Participation in Sustainable Solid Waste Management

This study aims to do comparative analysis of what influence the SWM in Indonesia and the Philippines. As Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will not be achieved as long as the Solid Waste Management problem is left unsolved. Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) has become a common issue in most developing country along with the rapid urbanization development and globalization. Qualitative approach chosen to analyze literatures selected related to SWM during 2000-2020. Data obtained from previous studies in this article were analyzed by the NVivo 12 Plus. The results shown that governance and participation become the main factors affected the status of MSWM as it is mentioned in most of the previous studies in the Philippines. Which is different with the previous studies in Indonesia