Household Waste Management Woes in Dhaka City: Current Challenges and Policy Directions

Md. Salman Sohel1, Shafiqul Alam2, Ziaul Haq Adnan3, Md Alamgir Hossain4,1, Md. Khaled Sifullah5, Arafatun Nessa Happy6
1Department of Development Studies, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
2School of Business and Entrepreneurship, Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB), Dhaka, Bangladesh
3School of Business and Economics, North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
4Centre for Advanced Social Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
5Department of Nutrition and Food Engineering, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
6School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China

Tóm tắt

In this study, the authors employed an Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) using “Planned Behavior Theory” to comprehensively assess Dhaka's current waste management issues and propose policy directions for improvement. The study conducted 25 expert interviews with policymakers and stakeholders and followed a thematic analysis using NVivo12 and the Granheim approach. Our findings revealed five main challenges the municipal corporation authority faces in effectively managing household waste: ineffective legislation, lack of cooperation, overpopulation, financial constraints, and community behavior. These challenges hinder the proper operation and handling of household waste, exacerbating the waste management crisis in Dhaka. Based on the findings, the study recommends strengthening legislation and regulations related to waste management, improving cooperation among stakeholders, addressing overpopulation through urban planning and population control measures, allocating sufficient financial resources for waste management infrastructure and facilities, and promoting community engagement and behavioral change towards responsible waste disposal practices. This study contributes to the academic literature on waste management by providing insights into the challenges and potential solutions in the context of a rapidly growing megacity like Dhaka. The findings and policy recommendations may guide policymakers, urban planners, and other stakeholders in developing effective strategies for sustainable waste management in Dhaka.

Từ khóa


Tài liệu tham khảo

Abedin, M. A., & Jahiruddin, M. (2015). Waste generation and management in Bangladesh: An overview. Asian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 1(1), 114–120. https://doi.org/10.3329/ajmbr.v1i1.25507 Abeysinghe, M. N., & Herat, S. (2022). Management of household hazardous waste: A review on global scenario. International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 29(2), 230–240. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJEWM.2022.121211 Ahmed, Z., Mahmud, S., & Acet, D. H. (2022). Circular economy model for developing countries: Evidence from Bangladesh. Heliyon, 8(5), e09530. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09530 Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T Akhter, S. (2022). Key informants’ interviews. In M. R. Islam, N. A. Khan, & R. Baikady (Eds.), Principles of social research methodology (pp. 389–403). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-5441-2_27 Alam, M. K. (2021). A systematic qualitative case study: Questions, data collection, NVivo analysis and saturation. Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management: An International Journal, 16(1), 1–31. https://doi.org/10.1108/QROM-09-2019-1825/FULL/PDF Ananno, A. A., Masud, M. H., Dabnichki, P., Mahjabeen, M., & Chowdhury, S. A. (2021). Survey and analysis of consumers’ behaviour for electronic waste management in Bangladesh. Journal of Environmental Management, 282(December 2020), 111943. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.111943 Ara, L., Billah, W., Bashar, F., Mahmud, S., Amin, A., Iqbal, R., Rahman, T., Alam, N. H., & Sarker, S. A. (2022). Effectiveness of a multi-modal capacity-building initiative for upgrading biomedical waste management practices at healthcare facilities in Bangladesh: A 21st century challenge for developing countries. Journal of Hospital Infection, 121, 49–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2021.11.009 Ashikuzzaman, M., & Howlader, M. H. (2019). Sustainable solid waste management in Bangladesh. October, 35–55. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-0198-6.ch002 Ashikuzzaman, M., & Howlader, M. H. (2020). Sustainable solid waste management in Bangladesh: Issues and challenges. 35–55. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-0198-6.ch002 Baetz, B. W. (1990). Capacity planning for waste management systems. Civil Engineering Systems, 7(4), 229–235. https://doi.org/10.1080/02630259008970594 Banerjee, Taniya, Nair, Ammu P., & Smitha M.S. (2023). Hazardous waste management: Lessons from developed countries. ScienceDirect, 487–504. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-90463-6.00001-4 Banerjee, S., Aditya, G., & Saha, G. K. (2013). Household disposables as breeding habitats of dengue vectors: Linking wastes and public health. Waste Management, 33(1), 233–239. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.WASMAN.2012.09.013 Baul, T. K., Sarker, A., & Nath, T. K. (2021). Restaurants’ waste in Chittagong City, Bangladesh: Current management, awareness on environmental hazard and perception towards potential uses. Journal of Cleaner Production, 292, 126073. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126073 Berg, B. L. (2012). Qualitative research methods for the social sciences (8th ed.). Bhuiyan, S. H. (2010). A crisis in governance: Urban solid waste management in Bangladesh. Habitat International, 34(1), 125–133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2009.08.002 Bidisha Roy. (2021, July). What makes Dhaka so unliveable? Dhaka Tribune, Dhaka. Bundhoo, Z. M. A. (2018). Solid waste management in least developed countries: Current status and challenges faced. Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management, 20(3), 1867–1877. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-018-0728-3 Castaldi, M. J. (2014). Perspectives on sustainable waste management. Annual Review of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, 5, 547–562. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-chembioeng-060713-040306 Chen, X., & Whitfield, L. (2020). www.econstor.eu. Crouch, M., & McKenzie, H. (2006). The logic of small samples in interview-based qualitative research. Social Science Information, 45(4), 483–499. https://doi.org/10.1177/0539018406069584 Dasgupta, B., Yadav, V. L., & Mondal, M. K. (2013). Seasonal characterization and present status of municipal solid waste (MSW) management in Varanasi, India. Advances in Environmental Research, 2(1), 51–60. https://doi.org/10.12989/aer.2013.2.1.051 Denzin. (2010). An introduction to triangulation. UNAIDS Monitoring and Evaluation Fundamentals, 12, 11–28 Dhokhikah, Y., & Trihadiningrum, Y. (2012). Solid waste management in Asian developing countries: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of Applied Environmental and Biological Sciences, 2(7), 329–335. El-Fadel, M. & Maalouf, A. (2020). Challenges of waste management in a developing context: Lessons from Lebanon. In A. Pariatamby, F. Shahul Hamid, & M. Bhatti (Eds.), Sustainable waste management challenges in developing countries (pp. 166–185). https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-0198-6.ch007 Estes, J. E., McGwire, K. C., Fletcher, G. A., & Foresman, T. W. (1987). Coordinating hazardous waste management activities using geographical information systems. International Journal of Geographical Information Systems, 1(4), 359–377. https://doi.org/10.1080/02693798708927822 Ezeah, C., & Roberts, C. L. (2012). Analysis of barriers and success factors affecting the adoption of sustainable management of municipal solid waste in Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Management, 103(January 2010), 9–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2012.02.027 Farraji, H., Zaman, N. Q., Vakili, M., & Faraji, H. (2016). Overpopulation and sustainable waste management. International Journal of Sustainable Economies Management, 5(3), 13–36. https://doi.org/10.4018/ijsem.2016070102 Ferdinan, Utomo, S. W., Soesilo, T. E. B., & Herdiansyah, H. (2021). Changes community behavior in management of household waste in Bekasi City, Indonesia. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 716(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/716/1/012071 Fidje, E., Haddara, M., & Langseth, M. (2023). Sustainable smart waste management adoption challenges in developing countries. Procedia Computer Science, 219, 905–914. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2023.01.366 Gautam, M., & Agrawal, M. (2021). Greenhouse gas emissions from municipal solid waste management: A review of global scenario. Environmental Footprints and Eco-Design of Products and Processes, 123–160. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-9577-6_5/COVER Gómez, G., Meneses, M., Ballinas, L., & Castells, F. (2009). Seasonal characterization of municipal solid waste (MSW) in the city of Chihuahua Mexico. Waste Management, 29(7), 2018–2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2009.02.006 Gören, S., & Özdemir, F. (2011). Regulation of waste and waste management in Turkey. Waste Management and Research, 29(4), 433–441. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242X10378887 Graneheim, U. H., & Lundman, B. (2004). Qualitative content analysis in nursing research: Concepts, procedures and measures to achieve trustworthiness. Nurse Education Today, 24(2), 105–112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2003.10.001 Guerrero, L. A., Maas, G., & Hogland, W. (2013). Solid waste management challenges for cities in developing countries. Waste Management, 33(1), 220–232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2012.09.008 Hasan, M. R., Sagar, M. S. I., & Ray, B. C. (2022). Barriers to improving construction and demolition waste management in Bangladesh. International Journal of Construction Management. https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2022.2056804 Hasan, S. (1998). Problems of municipal waste management in Bangladesh: An inquiry into its nature. Habitat International, 22(2), 191–202. Henry, R. K., Yongsheng, Z., & Jun, D. (2006). Municipal solid waste management challenges in developing countries - Kenyan case study. Waste Management, 26(1), 92–100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2005.03.007 Jerin, D. T., Sara, H. H., Radia, M. A., Hema, P. S., Hasan, S., Urme, S. A., Audia, C., Hasan, M. T., & Quayyum, Z. (2022). An overview of progress towards implementation of solid waste management policies in Dhaka Bangladesh. Heliyon, 8(2), e08918. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e08918 Joseph, K. (2006). Stakeholder participation for sustainable waste management. Habitat International, 30(4), 863–871. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.HABITATINT.2005.09.009 Jerie, S., & Mandevere, B. (2018). Occupational safety and health view project electric waste management in Harare Zimbabwe view project. Journal of Environmental Waste Management and Recycling, 2, 16. Kormoker, T., Proshad, R., & Khan, M. M. (2017). Analysis of water quality in urban water supply system of Bangladesh. Journal of Environmental & Analytical Toxicology, 7(4), 2161–525. https://doi.org/10.4172/2161-0525.1000492 Lohri, C. R., Camenzind, E. J., & Zurbrügg, C. (2014). Financial sustainability in municipal solid waste management - Costs and revenues in Bahir Dar Ethiopia. Waste Management, 34(2), 542–552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2013.10.014 Marshall, R. E., & Farahbakhsh, K. (2013). Systems approaches to integrated solid waste management in developing countries. Waste Management, 33(4), 988–1003. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2012.12.023 Masud, M. H., Akram, W., Ahmed, A., Ananno, A. A., Mourshed, M., Hasan, M., & Joardder, M. U. H. (2019). Towards the effective E-waste management in Bangladesh: A review. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 26(2), 1250–1276. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-3626-2 McCaslin, M. L. & Scott, K. W. (2003). The five-question method for framing a qualitative research study. The Qualitative Report, 8(3). Mekonnen, G. B., dos Muchangos, L. S., Ito, L., & Tokai, A. (2023). Reducing waste management scenario space for developing countries: A hierarchical clustering on principal components approach. Waste Management and Research, 41(11), 1622–1631. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242X231167341 Mourshed, M., Masud, M. H., Rashid, F., & Joardder, & Hossain, M. U. (2017). Towards the effective E-waste management in Bangladesh: A review. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 26(2), 1250–1276. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-3626-2 Mustofa, M. J. (2020). Legal framework dealing with waste management in Bangladesh: An analysis and evaluation. Southeast University Journal of Arts and Social Sciences, 3(1). Omololu, F. O., & Lawal, A. S. (n.d.). Population growth and waste management in metropolitan Lagos. https://doi.org/10.36108/NJSA/3102/11(0260) Opu, M. H. (2022). Dhaka now 4th most populous city globally. Dhaka Tribune. https://www.dhakatribune.com/world/2022/12/04/dhaka-4th-most-populous-city-globally Patton, M. Q. (2002). Qualitative research and evaluation methods (4th ed.). SAGE. Pincombe, S., Mckellar, L., Fielder, A., & Pincombe, J. (2016). Making sense of participant experiences: Interpretative phenomenological analysis in midwifery research. International Journal of Doctoral Studies, 11, 205–216. http://www.informingscience.org/Publications/3486 Prothom Alo. (2019, November). Sustainable waste management system needed for Dhaka city. Ramandei, L. (2020). Community behavior in waste management in Gurabesi Village North Jayapura district and Vim Village Abepura District of Jayapura City. International Journal of Scientific and Technology Research, 9(4), 3308–3311. Reno, J. (1974). What is wasted? Nature, 247(5438), 173. https://doi.org/10.1038/247173b0 Roiatti, F. (2024). The new urban poor at risk of malnutrition. OCHA. Retrieved from https://reliefwed.int/report/bangladesh/new-urban-poor-risk-malnutrition Sandelowski, M. (1995). Qualitative analysis: What it is and how to begin. Research in Nursing & Health, 18(4), 371–375. https://doi.org/10.1002/nur.4770180411 Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2020). Research methods for business students (8th edn). Pearson education. Limited. https://www.pearson.com/nl/en_NL/higher-education/subject-catalogue/business-and-management/Research-methods-for-business-students-8e-saunders.html Sekito, T., Prayogo, T. B., Dote, Y., Yoshitake, T., & Bagus, I. (2013). Influence of a community-based waste management system on people’s behavior and waste reduction. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 72, 84–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.RESCONREC.2013.01.001 Shah, S. & Andaleeb, S. J. (2022). Dhaka has a waste management problem, The Daily Star, https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/views/news/dhaka-has-waste-management-proble.-3079156 Shams, S., Sahu, J. N., Rahman, S. S., & Ahsan, A. (2017). Sustainable waste management policy in Bangladesh for reduction of greenhouse gases. Sustainable Cities and Society, 33, 18–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2017.05.008 Sharma, M., Joshi, S., Kannan, D., Govindan, K., Singh, R., & Purohit, H. C. (2020). Internet of Things (IoT) adoption barriers of smart cities’ waste management: An Indian context. Journal of Cleaner Production, 270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122047 Shi, Y., Yuan, T., Bell, R., & Wang, J. (2020). Investigating the relationship between creativity and entrepreneurial intention: The moderating role of creativity in the theory of planned behavior. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1209. https://doi.org/10.3389/FPSYG.2020.01209/BIBTEX Star, T. D. (2019). Waste management system in Dhaka City. The Daily Star. https://www.daily-sun.com/printversion/details/443763/Waste-Management-Systemin-Dhaka-City Strydom, W. F. (2018). Applying the theory of planned behavior to recycling behavior in South Africa. Recycling, 3(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling3030043 Sultana, F., & Akter, F. (2016). & Sep, |. Solid waste management scenario of some selected places in Dhaka City, 1, 8–9. Ulker-Demirel, E., & Ciftci, G. (2020). A systematic literature review of the theory of planned behavior in tourism, leisure and hospitality management research. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 43, 209–219. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JHTM.2020.04.003 Vergara, S. E., & Tchobanoglous, G. (2012). Municipal solid waste and the environment: A global perspective. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 37. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-environ-050511-122532 World Bank. (2022, February). Solid waste management. Worldometer. (2022, June). Bangladesh Population (2022). Wu, L., Zhu, Y., & Zhai, J. (2022). Understanding waste management behavior among university students in China: Environmental knowledge, personal norms, and the theory of planned behavior. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 6528. https://doi.org/10.3389/FPSYG.2021.771723/BIBTEX Zamawe, F. C. (2015). The implication of using NVivo software in qualitative data analysis: Evidence-based reflections. Malawi Medical Journal, 27(1), 13–15. https://doi.org/10.4314/mmj.v27i1.4 Zhang, D., Huang, G., Yin, X., & Gong, Q. (2015). Residents’ waste separation behaviors at the source: Using SEM with the theory of planned behavior in Guangzhou, China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 12(8), 9475. https://doi.org/10.3390/IJERPH120809475 Zhang, D. Q., Tan, S. K., & Gersberg, R. M. (2010). Municipal solid waste management in China: Status, problems and challenges. Journal of Environmental Management, 91, 1623–1633. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2010.03.012 Zohoori, M., & Ghani, A. (2017). Municipal solid waste management challenges and problems for cities in low-income and developing countries. International Journal of Science and Engineering Applications, 6(2), 039–048. https://doi.org/10.7753/ijsea0602.1002