Determinants of Household Waste Management: Socio-economic Insights for cleaner Quetta, Pakistan

Abstract

This study aims to find out key significant socio-economic factors influencing household waste management practices to ensure sustainable environment and further policy interventions in Quetta.  Inefficient household solid waste management poses serious environmental and health challenges, resulting into blocked drainage system and outbreak of several diseases due to water contamination. A comprehensive understanding is mandatory for addressing the socio-economic dynamics that shape waste management practices; generation to disposal. For this purpose, trained enumerators collected data regarding socio-economic status and waste management practices from 321 households through semi-structured questionnaires. Multiple, binary logistic and ordinal regression models were used to assess factors driving waste generation, segregation and collection, respectively. Findings elucidate numerous socioeconomic determinants which could determine household waste practices. Household income, awareness, literacy level, gender roles, and waste volume significantly impacted the household’s waste management practices. Community-driven polices, gender-sensitive approaches and education campaigns must be incorporated, and take initiative to align socio-economic realities and waste management strategies. It offers a framework for designing efficient, sustainable and environmental friendly waste management in Quetta in particular and Pakistan in general.

Keywords: Waste Generation, Waste Collection, Waste Segregation, Regression Models