SOCIOECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS INFLUENCE HOUSEHOLD SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL OF MUZAFFARABAD, AZAD JAMMU AND KASHMIR, PAKISTAN

Abstract

The impact of various socio-economic characteristics on household solid waste disposal practices in Muzaffarabad is investigated in this study. This study examines factors like education level, occupation, income, and family size to understand the complex relationship between socio-economic factors and practices for disposal of solid waste. The study findings indicates that these socio-economic characteristics plays vital role in generation and management of solid waste such as, higher income tend to increase solid waste production because of changes in living standards. This paper also identifies the major types of household solid waste like plastic, paper, debris, hazardous and kitchen wastes. Additionally, the study reveals that residents of Muzaffarabad use municipal waste collection services and even some of them repay for waste collection services. This paper highlights the importance of socio-economic characteristics when developing strategies for managing solid waste. Specifically, issues related to affordability and accessibility are critical to address, mostly for low-income families. The goal of this study is to promote the well-being of inhabitants of Muzaffarabad, by the promotion of environment friendly management practices of solid waste, reduction of environmental pollution and improvement in quality of life. Moreover, this paper will be applied to provide similar instances globally. This research paper supports, UNSDGs goal for Well-being (SDG-06), Sustainability of Communities (SDG-11), and Responsibility of Consumption and Production (SDG-12)