Sustainable development is a major concern for developing nations as they strive to preserve their ecological balance along with economic growth. It has been noticed that economic growth results in environmental degradation as it influences lifestyle practices and leads to increased consumption of goods thus generating the large volume of municipal solid waste. Patna, the capital city of Bihar, is an ideal example of this condition. Here, central and local government and pollution committees fail to effectively tackle the large and increasing volume of municipal solid waste. Such scenario of municipal solid waste management in the city can cause serious health hazards, environmental degradation, and ecological destruction. Recycling the inorganic fraction of municipal solid waste can reduce the threat. In the present study, based on an extensive literature review propose a theoretical sustainable recycling model for Patna. This model is based on the similitudes in the recommendations required to attain ‘sustainable development’ and ‘sustainable recycling’. Sustainable recycling model has six gears drive by various variables. Each gear has been tested for its existence in Patna. As a result, ‘social aspect gear drive by three variables in sustainable recycling model is public health; public awareness; health of workers involves in recycling’ shows complete non-existence behaviour. Hence, a survey ( n = 127) has been performed to evaluate the success factors for social aspect gear existence in sustainable recycling model. Multivariate statistical analysis has been executed the comparison of respondents’ perception on success factors and success factor groups affecting sustainable recycling of municipal solid waste in Patna. The study contends that if the proposed model has been successfully applied, then the problem of municipal solid waste can be effectively addressed.

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