Optimizing the Household Solid Wastes Separation Plan at Source in Tabriz: an Advocacy-based Intervention

Abstract

Introduction: The growing population and economic development, especially, in developing countries have caused various problems in the human habitat, especially in the cities. Production of wastes is one of the problems that the use of management and proper methods for disposal can reduce the problem. Source Separation of Waste (SSW) and recycling can be the most appropriate and cost-effective way to dispose of wastes. However, in developing countries such as Iran, the implementation of this method has so far not been successful enough. The emergence of this problem can be affected by various factors. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the barriers and problems of the Source Separation of Waste (SSW) program, formulating strategies and using advocacy plan for creating, modifying and strengthening policies in the waste management organization of Tabriz. Materials and Methods: The present study was a Multi-method study, which was executed in four stages included: Step 1( Comparative survey of policies and rules: A literature review was applied to check the implementation of policies and rules. Local documents were also examined for obtaining waste separation policies in Tabriz city; Step 2) Qualitative study (content analysis): At this phase, 13 citizens and 14 experts and experienced individuals of the Waste Management Organization were included. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Qualitative content analysis and MAXQDA10 was used to analyze the data. The participants were selected using purposeful sampling method with maximum variation. Step 3): Developing Strategies: Nominal Group Technique was used to formulate strategies. At this stage, eight health and environmental experts participated in a single meeting and two private sessions; Stage 4) Intervention: the intervention was conducted using Advocacy approach aimed at changing policies and laws to optimize the SSW. Sprechmann and Peltonwas instruction used to design Advocacy plan. Results: The results of the study demonstrated that Tabriz waste management organization has no predictive written rules for the proper implementation of SSW. The weakness in policy making to waste separation program has been identified as one of the main problems in the qualitative study. Other barriers included: A) Problems in the waste collection system; B) Insufficient awareness among the citizens; C) Lack of integrated management; D) Weakness in policymaking; E) Lack of authority in the municipality to implement the recycling plan; F) Low level of participation among citizens; G) Garbage robbery; H) Unbalanced resources; I) expectation to receive incentives; J) Poor performance of private sector, and; K) Expectation to receive incentives. According to the experts’ viewpoints participating in the study, the lack of integrated urban management system for the waste separation program at source and policy weakness in the waste separation program at source were the most important barrier, respectively. In order to improve policies in the SSW, an intervention program based-advocacy was implemented to the development of new policies.According to the results, the Advocacy plan in the waste management organization adopted new policies to support of the SSW program. Conclusion: According to the findings of the study, the potentially infrastructure and social barriers which may hinder the in-process SSW plan. Paying attention to these problems, especially in the policy-making dimension of the program, can reduce problems. The results of current study showed that there are no written organizational policies and regulations for implementation of SSW plan in the Waste Management Organization.Lack of proper policies can be an important barrier to increase the efficiency of the SSW plan.The results of current study indicated that an Advocacy plan could play an important role in the adoption of new policies.