Abstract
Delhi generates about 8360 tons of municipal solid waste per day, and there is low compliance to rules regarding waste management. The objective of this paper was to understand the situation in Delhi with respect to the segregation, storage, collection, and disposal of household waste, and to assess the knowledge of the residents of Delhi, and their willingness to engage in solid-waste management. A stratified random sample, comprising 3047 respondents, was chosen for a questionnaire survey, covering all municipalities of Delhi, with socio-economic classification as the stratifying variable. Survey results indicate that 60% of residents do not know the difference between biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste, and only 2% of them segregate waste. Fifty-eight percent of respondents reported that the waste collector mixes the segregated waste, 97% of respondents reported that they sold items to an itinerant waste buyer, and 87% of households are covered by doorstep waste collection services. Abstract knowledge (general knowledge about waste management) is seen to have a significant correlation with willingness to engage in waste management. Differences between the socio-economic groups indicate that the highest (most educated and wealthy), as well as the lowest socio-economic category (least educated and poor), older age-groups, and women, have greater abstract knowledge. Socio-economic categories having higher abstract knowledge can be active participants in decentralized models of waste management.
Highlights
India is the fastest growing economy and the second most populated country in the world
This research does not explore all other situational and psychological factors that determine behavior, as the focus of this study is to explore resident knowledge regarding waste management
The analysis revealed that females had higher abstract knowledge (p < 0.001)
Summary
India is the fastest growing economy and the second most populated country in the world. The present annual quantity of solid waste generated in Indian cities has increased from six million tons, in 1947, to 48 million tons, in 1997, and to 90 million tons in 2009; this is expected to increase to 300 million tons by 2047 [1,2,3] This massive increase in the amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) generated is because of changing lifestyles, food habits, and the standard of living of the urban population [4]. The community bin (dhalao) collection system is adopted in most cities in India It is a primary storage facility, in the form of a waste receptacle, provided by a municipality [5]. There are about two to three collection points per square kilometer [4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
