ABSTRACT Managing household solid waste (HSW) remains a significant challenge for developing countries like Vietnam. As a result, government management organizations require coordinated control and management instruments. Many improvements were included in the Environmental Protection Law 2020 (EPL 2020), most notably the law that divides HSW into three categories, including food waste, and solid waste that may be recycled or reused. Public education and dissemination of legal information are vital. However, a trustworthy instrument that precisely assesses and corresponds with the actual circumstances in Vietnam is necessary to accomplish the objectives and be effective. Currently, Vietnam has, for the first time, included the classification of HSW at the source in its national environmental protection law, and this study identifies barriers to its dissemination, aiding policymakers in developing timely and appropriate strategies. In order to determine the elements influencing the EPL 2020's accessibility regarding the categorization and collection of HSW in the research region, a quantitative method is employed in this study with a sample size of 204 survey respondents. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), widely used in social sciences, is applied here to identify key influencing factors. EFA is well‐known in analyzing primary data using SPSS software version 26. In this study, the EFA results have identified three factors, namely (1) institutions for policy implementation, (2) personal benefit influence, and (3) public concern about the EPL 2020, which affects public access to policies and EPL 2020. The research model on policy accessibility and EPL 2020 is theoretically grounded in the study findings. These findings aim to support governers and policy makers in referring to and thinking through the implementation of suggested laws and procedures.

Extended exergy accounting applied to waste-to-energy facilities location-allocation problem.

Quantifying the realistic reduction potential of food waste in Swedish households

This community service program aims to improve food security, family nutrition, and public health through the innovation of organic chicken farming using maggot feed derived from local organic waste. The program was implemented in Sereh Housing, Pos 7 Sentani, Jayapura Regency, involving local residents and the TIM BIBIT Papua team. The methods included nutrition education, technical training in maggot and organic chicken farming, implementation mentoring, and the establishment of local farmer groups. The results showed an increase in community knowledge about balanced nutrition and organic waste utilization, a 20–25% increase in chicken productivity within four weeks, and a rise in animal protein consumption among participating families. This activity also contributed to stunting prevention efforts by providing high-quality protein sources from organic chicken meat and eggs. The program successfully transformed household waste into productive resources, strengthened family food security, and raised community awareness of healthy and environmentally friendly food practices.

This study examines sustainable solutions for plastic waste reduction and recycling in Makurdi Metropolis, Nigeria, amid rising urban plastic pollution. The study aimed to assess disposal practices, environmental impacts, stakeholder involvement, and public awareness, guided by four research questions and four hypotheses. A descriptive survey design was adopted. The population consisted of residents and relevant stakeholders, from whom 159 respondents were purposively selected. Data were collected using a validated and reliable questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics. Findings revealed effective household waste separation (Mean = 3.60) but inadequate recycling facilities (Mean = 1.87) and inefficient collection systems (Mean = 1.60). Environmental impacts included pollution (Mean = 2.50) and adverse effects on wildlife (Mean = 3.77). Stakeholder involvement was weak, although public awareness was relatively high. The study recommends expanding recycling facilities, enforcing waste management laws, providing incentives, and strengthening public–private collaboration to promote environmental sustainability.

Direct and indirect effects of zoonosis intervention on pro-environmental behaviors among livestock farmers.

Waste management remains a critical urban challenge in Indonesia, particularly in Bandung City, where increasing waste generation demands community-based solutions. Women often play a central role in household and community waste practices, yet their contributions are frequently overlooked. This study adopts an ecofeminist perspective, which links women’s roles with environmental sustainability, to examine their strategic position in addressing waste management issues. The research aims to explore the movements and activities of women waste activists in Bandung, analyze the communication strategies they use to raise public awareness, and propose a model of environmental communication grounded in ecofeminism. Employing a qualitative method with an action research approach, the study emphasizes participatory and collaborative processes. Data were collected through observation, literature review, and in-depth interviews with women activists from several Bandung communities, including Mandalajati, Sumur Bandung, Wates, Jamaras, Cibunut, and Antapani Tengah. Informants were selected purposively, and data analysis followed Miles and Huberman’s interactive model, with triangulation ensuring data validity. The findings reveal that women act as key agents in sorting, processing, and recycling waste. Their communication practices are rooted in values of care, sustainability, and collective responsibility, which enable them to build environmental awareness and influence behavioral change in their communities. Communication strategies identified include direct education, the use of community media, environmental campaigns, and role modeling in everyday life. The study concludes with the formulation of an ecofeminist-based environmental communication model, positioning women as pivotal change agents and emphasizing that sustainable waste management requires inclusive communication and active female participation at the local level.

Converting used cooking oil into aromatherapy candles represents an environmentally sustainable solution for household waste management while supporting community-based economic development. This research examines the process and results of a participatory empowerment initiative conducted in Buddagan Village, aimed at producing value-added aromatherapy candles from used cooking oil. Employing a qualitative descriptive methodology with a participatory approach, the study involved 60 housewives as active contributors. Program activities were implemented through direct, in-person sessions encompassing education on health and environmental hazards of improper oil disposal, hands-on candle-making training, and basic instruction on product marketing. The production process consisted of oil purification using activated charcoal, mixing with stearic acid, heating, adding colorants and fragrances, and molding. Data were collected through direct observation of participant involvement, skill development, and product quality, and analyzed inductively. The results demonstrate increased environmental awareness, enhanced technical competence, and the successful production of aromatherapy candles with satisfactory shape, fragrance, and burning consistency.

This study examines the relationship between income and municipal waste generation within the Waste Kuznets Curve (WKC) framework, with a focus on selected disaggregated household waste fractions (paper and cardboard, glass, bulky waste, and biowaste). The aim is to assess whether increases in earnings per capita are associated with non-linear waste dynamics once spatial interactions and local socio-demographic characteristics are taken into account. The study employs a spatial panel dataset for 378 Polish counties over the period 2017–2024. Fixed-effects panel models, supplemented with random-effects panel models with Mundlak’s approach, are estimated alongside spatial panel specifications. Control variables include population ageing, urbanisation, and tourism, while spatial effects are decomposed into direct and indirect impacts. The results indicate that, in non-spatial models, an inverted U-shaped relationship between earnings and waste generation is observed for most waste fractions. However, once spatial dependence is explicitly incorporated, income effects weaken. In contrast, demographic structure—the share of retirement-age population—emerges as a robust and spatially persistent determinant of waste generation. Urbanisation and tourism exert only a limited influence across waste fractions. The paper advances WKC research by using spatial econometric methods and disaggregated waste fractions at the county level. The evidence suggests that conclusions about income-driven waste decoupling are sensitive to spatial dependence, emphasising the need for locally tailored waste management strategies.

ABSTRACT In this study, the effect of project-based learning (PBL) on the recycling awareness levels of middle school students was investigated. The study was conducted with two groups of seventh-grade students with similar academic achievement levels. A quasi-experimental design was used, where the experimental group received project-based recycling education, while the control group was taught using traditional methods from the 2018 Ministry of National Education (MoNE) curriculum. Before and after the ‘Household Waste and Recycling’ topic was covered, the ‘Recycling Awareness Scale’ was applied to both groups. The results showed no significant difference in recycling awareness levels between the groups before the training. However, after the training, the experimental group demonstrated a statistically significant increase in recycling awareness compared to the control group. The findings suggest that project-based learning is an effective method for enhancing recycling awareness among middle school students. It is recommended that future studies explore the use of PBL in different subjects and grade levels to further validate its effectiveness.

Household waste disposal is a growing concern in India due to rapid urbanization and population growth. This study in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar examined disposal behaviours and health impacts using interviews with 60 households. Findings show common practices like open dumping and burning, leading to environmental hazards and health risks such as infectious diseases and foul odour. Despite awareness, waste segregation remains inadequate. Statistical analysis revealed age and family size negatively correlated with proper disposal, while education showed a positive correlation. The study highlights the gap between knowledge and practice, stressing the need for awareness programs, infrastructure, and behavioural change to improve sanitation and reduce health risks.

The Cimanuk River was a vital component supporting water resources in West Java. However, further downstream, the water quality decreased due to industrial and household waste disposal. Plastic pollution was a serious issue because plastics in water degraded into microplastics, which were harmful to both ecosystems and human health. This study aimed to assess the abundance and characteristics of microplastics in the Upper Cimanuk Watershed and to explore how waste management was implemented in Garut Regency. The water sampling method for microplastic analysis used non-probability sampling with a purposive sampling technique. The waste management analysis was a descriptive study using a qualitative approach. Microplastics were found in the waters of the Upper Cimanuk Watershed, with the highest abundance recorded at Station 8 (2.14 particles/liter) and the lowest at Station 1 (0.62 particles/liter). The microplastics identified were dominated by fragments (52%), black-colored particles (47%), and sizes smaller than 1 mm or small microplastics (97%). These findings reflected a high level of microplastic pollution related to human activities around the river. Waste management in Garut Regency had not met its targets, leading to plastic accumulation that could form microplastics. Improvements in facilities, community participation, and policies were needed to control pollution and protect the environment. The results of this study provided baseline data that could inform stakeholders in the Upper Cimanuk Watershed for effective watershed management planning.

A large part of packaging is hard to sort and recycle cost-effectively, so it mainly ends up as dry waste in landfills or is incinerated. The rapid growth of e-commerce and home delivery services has increased the use of secondary and tertiary packaging (such as bags, bubble wrap, and air pillows), adding to the mixed dry waste streams that many cities find difficult to separate at source. Plastic bans are enforced inconsistently, sometimes disadvantaging small retailers and informal economies that lack suitable alternatives. Waste collection in towns and cities is often inefficient. Most Indian cities recognize the importance of waste segregation, but dry and wet household waste is still collected and dumped together. Commercial waste, part of MSW, makes up a large portion of packaging material. The packaging used in markets and by wholesalers exceeds that used by retailers when selling products. As a result, packaging waste becomes an additional burden at every stage of the market chain, and all this ultimately adds to the total waste dumped in landfills. Mismanaged waste places significant health and economic strains on marginalized communities near landfills and incinerators, who are more likely to be affected. The growth of e-commerce leads to more non-recyclable packaging, further burdening urban waste systems that often lack proper segregation infrastructure. This overload also financially strains municipalities, as repeated hauling and activities like "landfill mining" and fire control divert funds from segregation, Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), and composting capacity.

Introduction Effective management of municipal solid waste (MSW)is a persistent challenge in India, where rapid urbanization and limited infrastructure contribute to unscientific disposal practices. Household (HH) waste constitutes the largest share of MSW, yet reliable data on its generation and composition remain scarce. This study presents a baseline assessment conducted in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, as part of the I-MISS intervention on HH waste segregation. Methodology A cross-sectional survey was undertaken among 215 HHs across slum and non-slum areas. Waste was collected daily for seven consecutive days, sorted into 23 predefined fractions, and analyzed for per capita and per HH-level generation, composition, and mis-sorting. Results Findings reveal an average daily per capita generation of 141.0 g and 146.7 g,and per HH generation of 651.4 g. Organic waste formed the largest fraction (69.1%), followed by plastics, paper, and textiles. Nearly half (48.1%) of the dry waste stream was mis-sorted, mainly due to organic and sanitary fractions being placed incorrectly. Mis-sorting was more pronounced in slum HHs, particularly for sanitary and hazardous sharp waste. Statistical analysis highlighted that family size, house type, and socio-economic status (SES) significantly influenced waste generation patterns, with smaller HHs and middle-income groups producing more waste. Discussion The study underscores the urgent need to strengthen HH-level segregation through targeted behavioral interventions and improved infrastructure. Emphasizing composting, recycling, and the safe disposal of sanitary and hazardous waste can enhance resource recovery and reduce environmental risks. These findings provide crucial evidence to inform urban waste management policies and design locally appropriate, sustainable strategies for Indian cities.

Toxicological characterization of flue gases from closed combustion of conventional solid fuels and co-burned plastic wastes.

SOLID Health project of Nepal Development Society (NeDS) aimed at effective household solid waste management through 3R approach in three mega cities: Bharatpur, Janakpur and Pokhara. On which, non-organic wastes were encouraged to reuse, recycle and safe disposal, whereas organic wastes were attempted to manage through composting at household level and utilizing at homestead farming. The program was executed for around two and half years within the year 2021 to 2024. Major program interventions were capacity enhancement programs, practical demonstration and support with resources. Data were collected from 348 project intervention households through structured surveys, complemented by Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews. The achievement of the projects was comparatively analyzed with baseline information. Rooftop farming was most prevalent in Pokhara (64%), while kitchen gardening was more common in Bharatpur (71%). Overall, 81% of households across the three cities practiced either rooftop farming, kitchen gardening or both. In overall, there was around 69% percentage change in knowledge and attitude of respondents towards waste management, composting and homestead gardening as compared to baseline status. Composting practice at home was increased significantly in all three cities after project intervention, which was increased by 39% in overall. Also, there was significant adoption of reusing and recycling of the non-organic wastes rather than sending all those to municipality vehicle. Socio-demographic factors such as education level, income, and land availability were significant determinants of adoption. Households with higher education levels and larger homestead land areas showed greater likelihood of practicing kitchen gardening and rooftop farming. A combination of land availability, education levels, economic factors, age group, gender and type of capacity development support approach appear to be the primary drivers behind the differences in adoption rates between three cities

The aim of this study is to evaluate pyrolysis as an effective method for the disposal of mixed municipal solid waste while simultaneously obtaining energy-rich products. Thermal behavior was analyzed using TGA and DTA to assess mass loss and identify endothermic and exothermic reactions. The study demonstrated that the main portion of gaseous products is released within the first 15–20 min of pyrolysis, with methane accounting for up to 53% of the total gas volume. The yields of solid residue, liquid fraction, and gases were found to depend strongly on temperature, with optimal pyrolysis occurring at 450–550 °C. Within this range, an efficient release of volatile compounds, increased hydrogen yield, and higher calorific value of the gas were observed. Increasing the temperature above 550 °C did not result in a further rise in heat value, indicating the influence of the morphological characteristics of the waste on the composition of the final products. The study examines the potential of pyrolysis to convert complex solid household waste—including paraffin materials and synthetic rubbers—into valuable products such as fuels and chemical feedstocks.

Stunting remains one of the major chronic nutritional problems in Indonesia, including in Oesapa Village, Kelapa Lima District, Kupang City, East Nusa Tenggara Province. This condition is not only caused by inadequate nutritional intake but is also closely related to chronic infections resulting from poor hygiene and sanitation, particularly intestinal parasitic diseases. To reduce the risk of parasitic infections and improve children’s nutritional status, preventive efforts through education and health promotion are essential.This community service activity aimed to increase public awareness and knowledge, especially among parents and caregivers of stunted children, regarding the importance of maintaining hygiene and sanitation to prevent intestinal parasitic diseases. The methods used included participatory approaches such as interactive lectures, group discussions, and practical demonstrations of clean and healthy living behavior (PHBS), food hygiene, clean water management, and household waste disposal. Evaluation was conducted using pre-test and post-test instruments to measure changes in participants’ knowledge.The activities, carried out from May to September 2025 in Oesapa Village, showed a significant improvement in community understanding of hygiene and sanitation practices. Participants demonstrated greater commitment to maintaining environmental cleanliness and adopting healthier daily behaviors. Continuous educational efforts and multisectoral support are needed to help reduce the prevalence of stunting in the region

This community service program aims to provide education and training in eco-enzyme production as an effort to improve household waste management capabilities in the Banjar Prajasari area. The phenomenon of organic waste accumulation and environmental pollution is due to low public awareness regarding waste management. One simple, environmentally friendly product produced through the fermentation of fruit and vegetable waste that can be used as a versatile solution is known as Eco-enzyme. The Eco-enzyme production training was conducted through three activities: the first involved educational activities on household waste management, the second involved a hands-on eco-enzyme production workshop, and the third involved a twenty-day fermentation mentoring process. Data collection included observation, pre- and post-program knowledge assessments, and participant interviews. The results of the education and training on eco-enzymes showed a significant increase in public understanding of waste sorting, organic waste utilization, and eco-enzyme processing techniques. The community demonstrated positive behavioral changes in an effort to reduce household waste and successfully independently produce eco-enzymes. The conclusion of this activity is that community empowerment through the implementation of sustainable waste management activities and practical, effective, and efficient participatory education can increase public awareness in managing waste in the household environment. Keywords: eco-enzymes, household waste management, environmental awareness

Assessment of the Korang River's water via ecological risk indices and source apportionment procedures for heavy metals contamination, and evaluation of cancer/non-cancer risks.