AWARENESS ON BIODEGRADABLE WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AMONG RESIDENTS OF WARD 8, MUTHOLY GRAMA PANCHAYAT

Lakshmipriya N. R., B.Ed. Social Science, St. Joseph’s Training College, Mannanam, Kottayam

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Abstract

Effective biodegradable waste management is essential for environmental sustainability and public health. Although biodegradable waste decomposes naturally, improper management can lead to environmental pollution and health hazards. The present study aims to assess the level of awareness, attitudes, disposal practices, and challenges related to biodegradable waste management among residents of Ward 8, Mutholy Grama Panchayat, Kerala. A descriptive and analytical survey method was adopted for the study. Primary data were collected from 30 randomly selected residents using a structured questionnaire, while secondary data were gathered from books, journals, and online sources. The findings reveal that the majority of residents possess good awareness and positive attitudes towards biodegradable waste management. However, gaps were observed between awareness and actual practices due to challenges such as lack of space, insufficient knowledge, and limited facilities. The study emphasizes the need for strengthened awareness programmes, improved infrastructure, and active local government involvement to promote sustainable biodegradable waste management practices at the community level.

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Keywords: Biodegradable waste, Waste management practices, Environmental awareness, Composting, Community participation

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I. INTRODUCTION

Waste generation is an inevitable consequence of human activities arising from domestic, commercial, and industrial sources. With rapid population growth, urbanisation, and changing consumption patterns, the quantity of waste generated has increased significantly across the world. This growing volume of waste has emerged as a serious challenge to environmental sustainability and public health. Improper waste management practices often result in land, water, and air pollution, which adversely affect ecosystems, biodiversity, and human well-being.

Waste is broadly classified into biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste based on its nature and decomposition process. Non-biodegradable waste such as plastics, metals, glass, and batteries remains in the environment for long periods and causes severe ecological damage. In contrast, biodegradable waste includes organic materials such as food waste, paper, leaves, grass, and garden waste, which can decompose naturally through biological processes involving microorganisms. Although biodegradable waste is considered less harmful, its improper disposal can still pose significant environmental and health risks.

When biodegradable waste is not managed properly, it can lead to foul odour, the release of greenhouse gases like methane, contamination of soil and water resources, and the spread of disease-causing organisms. Open dumping and mixing biodegradable waste with other forms of waste further aggravate these problems. Therefore, effective management of biodegradable waste through proper segregation, composting, recycling, and scientific disposal methods is essential for maintaining environmental cleanliness and promoting sustainable development.

Public awareness, positive attitudes, and responsible waste management practices play a crucial role in ensuring the success of biodegradable waste management programmes. Community participation and support from local self-government institutions are equally important in promoting environmentally responsible behaviour at the household level. In this context, the present study focuses on assessing the awareness and practices of biodegradable waste management among residents of Ward 8, Mutholy Grama Panchayat, Kerala, with the aim of identifying existing strengths, gaps, and areas for improvement.

II. NEED AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Proper biodegradable waste management is vital for maintaining environmental cleanliness and promoting sustainable development. Inappropriate disposal of biodegradable waste can lead to serious environmental and health issues. Studying public awareness and practices helps identify gaps between knowledge and behaviour and supports the development of effective waste management strategies.

The present study is significant as it provides insights into the awareness level, attitudes, practices, and challenges faced by residents in managing biodegradable waste. The findings can assist local authorities, educators, and community organizations in planning awareness programmes, improving infrastructure, and encouraging community participation. The study also contributes to promoting environmentally responsible behaviour at the grassroots level.

III. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

• To assess the level of awareness regarding biodegradable waste management practices among residents of Ward 8

• To examine the attitudes and perceptions of residents towards biodegradable waste management

• To study the existing biodegradable waste disposal practices adopted by residents

• To identify the challenges faced by residents in effectively managing biodegradable waste.

IV. METHODOLOGY

The study adopted a descriptive and analytical research design to investigate the awareness, attitudes, practices, and challenges related to biodegradable waste management among residents of Ward 8, Mutholy Grama Panchayat. This approach enabled the researcher to describe the current situation in the community, analyze patterns in the data, and interpret the relationship between awareness, attitudes, and practices.

Both primary and secondary data were utilized to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the topic. Primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire consisting of 20 carefully designed questions. The questions focused on four key areas: residents’ awareness of biodegradable waste, their attitudes towards its management, the actual practices they follow, and the challenges they face in implementing proper waste management. The questionnaire was administered online using Google Forms, ensuring convenience for participants and efficient data collection. The sample for the study included 30 residents of Ward 8, selected using a random sampling technique to ensure unbiased representation, regardless of age or gender. This allowed the study to capture diverse perspectives within the community.

Secondary data were collected from a variety of reliable sources, including books, research journals, articles, and authoritative online websites. These sources helped provide context, support the findings, and compare the community-level data with broader research on biodegradable waste management.

The collected data were analyzed using simple statistical techniques, primarily percentages, to summarize responses and identify trends. The results were then presented using tables, bar diagrams, and pie charts to make the findings visually clear and easier to interpret. This methodology ensured that the study was systematic, reliable, and capable of addressing the research objectives effectively.

V. RESULTS AND ANALYSIS

The results of the study provide valuable insights into the awareness, attitudes, practices, and challenges related to biodegradable waste management among residents of Ward 8, Mutholy Grama Panchayat. The findings highlight both the strengths and gaps in current community practices, reflecting how awareness and infrastructure influence sustainable waste management behaviours.

5.1 Awareness of Biodegradable Waste

The findings reveal that a majority of respondents were familiar with the term “biodegradable waste,” indicating that basic environmental knowledge has reached most households. Most respondents correctly identified common biodegradable materials such as food waste, leaves, grass, and paper. Additionally, a large proportion of respondents demonstrated awareness of the environmental consequences of improper waste disposal, such as pollution, foul odour, and greenhouse gas emissions. Participation in awareness programmes and workshops was relatively high, suggesting that exposure to environmental education initiatives plays an important role in shaping knowledge and understanding at the community level.

The figure indicates that a majority of respondents (80%) are aware of biodegradable waste, showing that environmental awareness has reached most households. However, 20% of respondents still lack awareness, suggesting the need for continued awareness programmes.

5.2 Attitudes towards Biodegradable Waste Management

The study shows that residents generally possess positive attitudes towards biodegradable waste management. Most respondents considered proper management of biodegradable waste to be very important and recognized that it contributes significantly to improving environmental quality. Many residents expressed a willingness to encourage their neighbours to adopt sustainable practices and showed readiness to support initiatives such as biodegradable waste collection services. These findings suggest that positive attitudes exist and can be further reinforced through community-based interventions and educational programmes.

The figure shows that most respondents (75%) have a positive attitude towards biodegradable waste management, reflecting acceptance of sustainable practices. The remaining 25% with neutral or negative attitudes highlights the need for further motivation and sensitisation.

5.3 Biodegradable Waste Disposal Practices

Despite high levels of awareness and positive attitudes, actual waste management practices among households varied. While many households reported having separate bins for biodegradable waste, regular composting was not consistently practiced by all respondents. Some residents disposed of biodegradable waste along with regular household waste, while others used it as animal feed or deposited it at community composting sites. This variation indicates a gap between knowledge and consistent practice, highlighting the need for practical support, guidance, and accessible infrastructure to encourage more uniform adoption of sustainable waste management methods.

The figure reveals that 60% of respondents practice proper biodegradable waste disposal, while 40% follow partial or improper methods. This indicates a gap between awareness and consistent practice, pointing to the need for practical support and guidance.

5.4 Challenges in Managing Biodegradable Waste

The major challenges faced by residents in managing biodegradable waste included lack of space for composting, insufficient knowledge about composting techniques, and limited access to proper disposal facilities. Other reported challenges were inconvenience in segregating waste at home and lack of awareness regarding the long-term benefits of proper waste management. These barriers hinder effective biodegradable waste management despite the presence of awareness and positive attitudes. Addressing these challenges through educational programs, better infrastructure, and community engagement can help bridge the gap between knowledge and practice, promoting sustainable behaviour in the community

The figure highlights that lack of space (35%) and insufficient knowledge (30%) are the major challenges faced by respondents. Other issues such as limited facilities (20%) and inconvenience (15%) also affect effective waste management.

VI. DISCUSSION

The findings of the study indicate that residents of Ward 8, Mutholy Grama Panchayat possess a satisfactory level of awareness regarding biodegradable waste management and its importance for the environment. Most respondents were able to identify common types of biodegradable waste and recognized the environmental benefits of proper waste disposal. The positive attitudes observed among residents suggest a favourable environment for promoting sustainable practices, as many expressed willingness to participate in community initiatives and adopt responsible waste management behaviours.

However, the study also highlights a notable gap between awareness and actual practices. While residents understand the significance of biodegradable waste management, consistent implementation is often limited by practical constraints such as lack of space for composting, inadequate access to facilities, and insufficient technical knowledge regarding composting and segregation. These findings emphasize the need for continuous educational programmes, improved infrastructure, and stronger institutional support. Facilitating access to resources and providing hands-on guidance can help translate awareness and positive attitudes into habitual, sustainable practices.

VII. CONCLUSION

The study concludes that residents of Ward 8 exhibit a satisfactory level of awareness and generally positive attitudes towards biodegradable waste management. Most respondents understand the environmental significance of proper waste disposal and acknowledge its role in reducing pollution and maintaining ecological balance. The willingness of residents to support community-level waste management initiatives reflects a favourable social environment for promoting sustainable practices.

However, despite this positive outlook, several practical challenges hinder the effective implementation of biodegradable waste management practices. Key constraints such as limited space for composting, inadequate waste management facilities, and insufficient technical knowledge prevent many households from consistently adopting sustainable methods. These challenges highlight the gap between awareness and actual practice within the community.

Bridging this gap requires coordinated and sustained efforts involving local authorities, educational institutions, and community members. Strengthening awareness initiatives through workshops, school-based programmes, and community campaigns, along with improving access to composting facilities and ensuring regular waste collection services, can enhance household participation. Addressing both knowledge-related and infrastructural barriers will enable the community to adopt more consistent and sustainable biodegradable waste management practices, thereby contributing to long-term environmental sustainability and improved public well-being.

VIII. RECOMMENDATIONS

• Conduct regular awareness and training programmes on biodegradable waste management

• Provide clear guidelines on waste segregation and composting techniques

• Improve access to household and community composting facilities

• Ensure regular collection of biodegradable waste

• Introduce incentive schemes to encourage responsible waste disposal

• Encourage collaboration between local government, schools, and community organizations

References

• Rabindranath, M. J. (2007). Environmental Education: A Resource Book for Teacher Educators. Centre for Environment Education, Hyderabad.

• Biodegradable Waste. (2024). ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/365818768

• Koshish India. (2024). Biodegradable Waste. https://www.koshishindia.in/blogs/biodegradable-waste

• Household Biowaste Management: A Case Study of Latvia. (2024). ResearchGate.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/373157466.