Survey on Household Solid Waste Sorting at Source in Developing Economies: A Case Study of Nur-Sultan City in Kazakhstan

Yerbol Sarbassov, Tolkyn Sagalova, Obid Tursunov, Christos Venetis, Stefanos Xenarios and Vassilis Inglezakis
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Yerbol Sarbassov: Green Energy and Environment Laboratory, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Nur-Sultan 010000, Kazakhstan
Tolkyn Sagalova: Green Energy and Environment Laboratory, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Nur-Sultan 010000, Kazakhstan
Obid Tursunov: Green Energy and Environment Laboratory, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Nur-Sultan 010000, Kazakhstan
Christos Venetis: Ingenieurgesellschafft Prof. Czurda und Partner mbH (ICP), Auf der Breit 11, Karlsruhe 76227, Germany
Stefanos Xenarios: Graduate School of Public Policy, Nazarbayev University, Nur-Sultan 010000, Kazakhstan
Vassilis Inglezakis: Environmental Science & Technology Group (ESTg), Chemical and Materials Engineering Department, School of Engineering, Nazarbayev University, Nur-Sultan 010000, Kazakhstan

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 22, 1-17

Abstract: The exponential population growth in urban areas makes existing solid waste management policies and strategies challenging. The situation becomes more strenuous in fast-growing cities where increasing waste production can hardly be met by the capacity of existing facilities. Practices like waste prevention, recycling, reuse, and recovery are fundamental elements needed for the reduction of solid waste disposed in landfills, especially in fast-growing cities where more sustainable management practices need to be adopted. This study investigated the behavioral attitudes of citizens of the capital of Kazakhstan, Nur-Sultan (former Astana), towards household solid waste disposal and separation at the source. The survey was conducted through stratified random sampling during April and July of 2018 with the participation of 3281 respondents. It is the first attempt, to our knowledge, of assessing recycling trends in Kazakhstan from the household perspective. The results showed that 24% of respondents were already sorting household solid waste despite the absence of a separation system at the source. The study further demonstrated that separation at source could be effective if the local authorities were to introduce sound public awareness campaigns and install recycling bins in close proximity to residential buildings.

Keywords: household solid waste; recycling; separation at source; survey (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (10)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:22:p:6496-:d:288261

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