Title: Knowledge and practice of a water village community in household waste management: appraising current problems and future recommendations

Authors: Hukil Sino; Maznah Ibrahim; Mohd Hasamizi Mustapa; Zurina Mahadi

Addresses: Fakulti Sains Kesihatan, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ' Pusat Citra Universiti, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia ' Kolej Sains Kesihatan Bersekutu, Sg Buloh, Jalan Hospital, 47000 Sg. Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia ' Pusat Citra Universiti, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

Abstract: Unsystematic household waste management in water villages could have adverse effects on the surrounding marine ecosystem. This study is conducted to evaluate the knowledge and practices regarding household waste management in Tanjung Aru Water Village, Sabah, Malaysia. Using a survey approach, data was obtained from the use of a guided questionnaire administered to 62 respondents. The average score of knowledge is 8.35 ± 1.73 which is moderate while the highest average percentage for practice is 57.3% which is the good practice. The contributing factors to household waste mismanagement in this area were the knowledge and practices of the villagers, and the ineffective household waste management system. The implication of this research is that the waste management system should be tailored to the nature of the settlements. Future waste management system should incorporate effective household waste system, intensive monitoring and enforcement, continuous education on household waste management, property tax and community engagement.

Keywords: knowledge; practice; household waste; waste collection; water village; recycling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2019.103643

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2019 Vol.24 No.4, pp.378 - 395

Received: 15 Apr 2018
Accepted: 29 Dec 2018
Published online: 18 Nov 2019 *

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