Integrated solid waste management for closed community: an experiment on Jahangirnagar University Campus

This study stems from a critical concern at Jahangirnagar University in Bangladesh, where integrated solid waste management (ISWM) faces formidable challenges. These challenges have led to detrimental social, environmental, and economic repercussions. Recognizing this pressing issue, the research endeavors to elucidate barriers obstructing community engagement in ISWM and proposes actionable recommendations for improvement. The study adopts a mixed-methods approach, involving surveys of 397 respondents selected through cluster random sampling from the university's extensive population of 20,000. Data collection strategies encompassed interviews, observations, focus groups, and document analysis. The findings underscore a range of impediments to community participation, including limited empowerment, mobilization, organization, and resource coordination within the community. Alarmingly, only 30% of respondents practice household waste segregation. However, an encouraging 74% express their willingness to oversee door-to-door waste collection and ensure proper disposal at designated locations, with this inclination influenced by various socioeconomic factors. Notably, non-compliance with ISWM regulations is prevalent in 26% of respondents, while 12% exhibit a dearth of knowledge about ISWM, indicating a need for heightened organizational efforts. Furthermore, certain university authorities rely on outdated methods, resulting in weak enforcement of environmental regulations. Ineffective policies further exacerbate the situation, failing to align with the dynamic demands of the market economy. The study advocates for a collaborative approach between university authorities and the community, alongside the revision and stringent enforcement of regulations, and an emphasis on waste generators' responsibility for appropriate disposal. Addressing these multifaceted challenges holds significant potential for markedly improving solid waste management and environmental outcomes at Jahangirnagar University.