Title: Eradicating poverty among the waste workers through waste collection? A case study of Dhaka City

Authors: Mehe Zebunnesa Rahman; Chamhuri Siwar; Rawshan Ara Begum

Addresses: North South University, Plot 15, Block B, Kuril-NSU Road, Dhaka 1229, Bangladesh ' Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia ' Center for Water Cycle, Marine Environment and Disaster Management, Kumamoto University, 2-39-1 Kurokami, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto 860-8555, Japan

Abstract: The objective of this paper is to examine the factors affecting the waste collection to poverty reduction among the waste workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Particular interest is on the question whether the contribution of some determinants actively plays a role in reducing the possibility of being poor. This issue is particularly significant since it has been argued in various relevant literatures. There is potential for the waste picking sector to play an important role in alleviating poverty of the waste workers. This research provides the empirical evidence for answering this question by estimating a logistic regression model using primary data gathered within Dhaka City, Bangladesh. Research results showed that the education of the respondent, number of the dependent in family, training, and collection of recyclable items were significant negative predictors at 5% level of significance. Framing policy to develop skilled waste workers could be an effective strategy towards implementing a sustainable waste management system in Bangladesh. The findings of this study imply that promoting organised and systematic waste management activities, such as intensifying urban industrialisation with formal sector, will have a positive impact on efforts to reduce poverty.

Keywords: solid waste management; poverty reduction; poverty reduction; industrialisation; sustainable waste management system.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2020.108064

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2020 Vol.26 No.1, pp.85 - 101

Accepted: 29 Dec 2018
Published online: 02 Jul 2020 *

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