Household Hazardous Waste Quantity and Characteristics in Medium Scale City in Indonesia: Case Study of Cimahi City

Abstract

Currently, a concern of household hazardous wastes (HHW) management emerges in a city in developing countries. The potential hazard to the environment and public health is the major reasons of the concern. Despite the increase concern of some city stakeholders and decision makers, HHW generators have limited understanding on the type, characteristics and hazard of HHW. Therefore, a survey of 100 households was conducted to find a perception on HHW and a sampling was conducted to find the quantity and characteristics of HHW from medium scale city which population approximately 594,000 inhabitants in Indonesia. Despite 63% of respondents aware of HHW, only 37% aware on the impact on HHW to health and environment. On average 4% of total households waste generation is HHW. The top HHW found is expired pharmaceutical drug. Understanding the characteristics, generation and community behaviour in deals with HHW can be used to establish a city program to regulate, collect, transport and dispose the HHW.