Challenges in household solid waste separation plan (HSWSP) at source: a qualitative study in Iran

Abstract

Identifying the challenges in source separation of waste in different communities may lead to better understanding on the potential outcomes of recycling programs. Our goal in this study was to identify the challenges of conducting household solid waste separation plan (HSWSP) at source in Tabriz metropolitan city, Iran. In this qualitative study, fourteen key informants on HSWSP at source were interviewed. Content analysis with conventional approach was used to analyze the data. MAXQDA10 was applied to organize the data, to categorize the codes and to identify the relationships between the concepts. Six core categories were identified as the main challenges in the HSWSP at source: (a) low level of participation among citizens; (b) garbage robbery; (c) unbalanced resources; (d) weakness in policymaking; (e) poor performance of private sector; and (f) lack of integrated management. Considering the six challenges identified as hindrances to the successful implementation of HSWSP at source, policymaking was found to connect all the challenges; thus, this work recommends the key authorities and HSWSP at source policymakers to consider revision of the recycling programs plan with appropriate focus on policy development. The work also recommends an integrated approach that will be unified across the city as well as flexible to incorporate variations at various regions of the city. é 2018, Springer Nature B.V.