PEOPLE’S PARTICIPATION AND PERCEPTIONS IN THE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT OF MANGALORE CITY CORPORATION, KARNATAKA, INDIA

Abstract

The alarming increase in municipal solid waste (MSW) generation and its complex characteristics pose a significant threat to people and the environment worldwide. The success of solid waste management (SWM) depends on the involvement and active participation of all stakeholders, and in particular, the people in households play a vital role. The primary objective of this paper is to assess awareness, perception, and participation and suggest how an effective SWM can be achieved. Hence, the article aims to present the participation and perceptions of people with regard to the current Municipal Solid Waste Management System (MSWMS) in Mangalore City Corporation, Karnataka State, India. The feedback from 410 people from various households was collected based on gender, age, income, education status, etc. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze these datasets. The study shows that there is variation in the participation of people in all wards, and in some wards it is not satisfactory. It identifies areas where participation is lacking and highlights a potential gap between public perception and the actual state of waste management. The study suggests the need for administrative improvements and strategies based on public feedback to enhance the solid waste management system.