Sustaining the Environment: Critical Success Factors and Barriers of Solid Waste Management through Composting Practices by Rural Communities in Malaysia

Nurul Azita Salleh (), Mohd Wira Mohd Shafiei, Aviasti Anwar, Faisal Zulhumadi and Siti Khadijah Hubadillah
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Nurul Azita Salleh: School of Technology Management and Logistics, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Sintok 06010, Malaysia
Mohd Wira Mohd Shafiei: School of Housing, Building and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor 11800, Malaysia
Aviasti Anwar: Fakultas Teknik, Universitas Islam Bandung, Kota Bandung 40116, Indonesia
Faisal Zulhumadi: School of Technology Management and Logistics, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Sintok 06010, Malaysia
Siti Khadijah Hubadillah: School of Technology Management and Logistics, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Sintok 06010, Malaysia

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 20, 1-20

Abstract: Generally, rural areas can contain large amounts of organic and household wastes, which on average, is rarely managed well. Meanwhile, composting is a waste management method that decomposes organic waste biologically, thus contributing toward better waste management and environmental sustainability. However, exposure to more efficient waste management methods and the knowledge of the importance of composting are still low among rural communities. These communities also do not realise that composting has the added potential benefit of increasing household income. Therefore, this exploratory study was performed guided by two objectives, first to identify the critical success factors of composting practice for improving the economy and quality of life among rural communities, and second, to identify factors that hinder this composting practice. A quantitative approach was used for this purpose, where data were obtained through non-probability sampling from respondents located in 32 rural villages in the Kubang Pasu District of Kedah, Malaysia. The results of this study revealed that villagers living outside of city limits do not practice composting as part of their waste management. Among the barriers that were identified as preventing composting practice in these rural village communities, were the lack of knowledge, awareness, and interest in composting. However, some of these respondents indicated that they were aware of composting through television, radio, social media, newspapers, and from various programmes organised by certain organisations. In conclusion, this study has provided information as a guide to stakeholders for them to act by further educating rural communities about composting, perhaps highlighting more the potential benefits of earning a side income through the adoption of composting practices by producing and selling compost fertilisers.

Keywords: critical success factors; barriers; composting; environmental sustainability; Malaysia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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