Title: Waste reduction strategies for improved management of household solid waste in Jamaica

Authors: Jennifer L. Post, James R. Mihelcic

Addresses: Civil and Environmental Engineering, Michigan Technological University, 1400 Townsend Drive, Houghton, 49931 Michigan, USA. ' Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Ave, ENB 118, Tampa, 33620 Florida, USA

Abstract: Three waste reduction strategies were studied by a survey in the St. Ann|s Parish located in the small-island developing nation of Jamaica. Factors designated as incentives to waste reduction existed primarily at the household level, specifically waste segregation, household education, environmental concern and knowledge; whereas, the barriers existed primarily at the national or regional levels, namely government policies and finances. The greatest potential for initiating waste reduction strategies and diverting waste from a landfill in this developing world setting is thus within the household, specifically by community-based waste reduction initiatives that build upon already-existing practices and improve local solid waste management.

Keywords: sustainable waste management; solid waste management; waste reduction; Jamaica; Caribbean; developing countries; small-island nations; survey; public participation; public health; incentives; waste segregation; household education; environmental concerns; environmental knowledge; barriers; government policy; finance; West Indies.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2010.033980

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2010 Vol.6 No.1/2, pp.4 - 24

Published online: 06 Jul 2010 *

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