Self-Reported Household Waste Recycling and Segregation Practices among Families in Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Yousif Mohammed Elmosaad (), Ahmed M. Al Rajeh, Maria Blesilda B. Llaguno, Sami Saad Alqaimi, Ali Mohammed Alsalman, Ali Yousif Alkishi, Hassan Hussain, Mohammed Ahmed Alhoudaib, Othman Saad Alnajim and Safia Belal
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Yousif Mohammed Elmosaad: Department of Public Health, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa 37912, Saudi Arabia
Ahmed M. Al Rajeh: Department of Respiratory Care, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa 37912, Saudi Arabia
Maria Blesilda B. Llaguno: Department of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa 37912, Saudi Arabia
Sami Saad Alqaimi: Department of Health Informatics, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa 37912, Saudi Arabia
Ali Mohammed Alsalman: Department of Public Health, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa 37912, Saudi Arabia
Ali Yousif Alkishi: Department of Public Health, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa 37912, Saudi Arabia
Hassan Hussain: Department of Public Health, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa 37912, Saudi Arabia
Mohammed Ahmed Alhoudaib: Department of Public Health, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa 37912, Saudi Arabia
Othman Saad Alnajim: Department of Public Health, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa 37912, Saudi Arabia
Safia Belal: Department of Public Health, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa 37912, Saudi Arabia

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 1-16

Abstract: Background: The reuse and recycling of household waste are correlated with a household’s daily activities and commonly depend on sociodemographic factors. In this study, we aimed to assess and probe the level of awareness of waste reuse and recycling, self-reported household waste recycling and segregation practices, and the variables affecting the practices of households in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. Methods: We employed a cross-sectional study utilizing the multi-stage random sampling of 279 households and a researcher-structured, online questionnaire in English and Arabic. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 20. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the level of awareness/practices, and inferential statistics was used to describe the correlational aspects. Results: It was determined that female participants, younger participants, participants of both genders with university and postgraduate education levels, and urban residents were significantly associated with self-reported household waste segregation and recycling practices at the source. Plastics, paper, glass, food waste, textiles, and electronic waste were determined to be the most common types of household waste. A lack of expertise, awareness, demand for recycled products, and laws that support recycling was reported to affect female participants’ failure to recycle. Social media, television, and educational institutions were shown to be sources of information regarding waste segregation and recycling. Therefore, awareness-raising polices must be developed to improve the prevalence, expertise, and efficiency regarding recycling and segregation. In addition, inventive methods, such as a card-based reward system, should be used to increase the demand level for recycled products.

Keywords: awareness; practices; waste management; waste recycling and waste segregation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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