Households’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward solid waste management in suburbs of Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Abstract

This study developed logistic regression models to analyse the relationship between 12 observed variables on knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward solid waste management in the suburbs of Phnom Penh city. We interviewed 800 households, including 200 collection service users and 600 non-service users. The determinants of how individuals are aware of, think of, and behave were assessed in the models based on the values of estimated coefficient and probability of t-statistics. As a result, education level and knowledge of health effects have positive influences on knowledge of waste problems. Income is a decisive economic factor of knowledge and attitudes. The residents seem dissatisfied with the status of waste management and collection service if they are aware of the problems. The administration, therefore, needs improvements to satisfy the knowledgeable citizens. Service provision to the non-service users is imperative to halt the practice of illegal dumping. However, the infrequent collection still leads to the improper practice of the service users. We suggest that the service is provided widely, efficiently, and regularly.

Assessment of Public–Private Partnership in Municipal Solid Waste Management in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

“…Most residents in suburban areas complain to CINTRI for not providing services adequately, except for those areas with high beneficiaries. Evidently, similar findings are indicated in [20,35,37]. It can be seen that the public perception of PPP is important for explaining the reliability of services.…”

“…Collection frequency was the most important factor affecting user satisfaction, especially in peri-urban areas. The recent study on knowledge, attitude, and practices of household waste management in suburbs of Phnom Penh indicated the situation of SWM is not satisfactory owing to the responses of 78.68% from within service using households and the collection frequency is 46.19% for twice a week and 22.34% for once a week [37]. Likewise, the study also indicated that the technical capacity and skills of LGAs is limited-they are not actually accepting their duty for management services in their respective areas.…”

“…The findings from recent studies show that the SWM situation has not been soundly addressed as the responses owing to 78.68% of service-connected households. The level of satisfaction is significantly associated with quality of services, frequency of collection and tipping fees; all coefficients are positive [37]. The service users are willing to pay more for improved collection services and reliability of service depending on the perception of PPP operational procedures [19].…”

“…Capacity Building: Professionals and paraprofessionals in local government units are often not trained in many aspects of waste management, such as the future planning based on sound resource management performance. Proper training of LGAs' personnel dealing with waste management and service management is needed and critical in this transition, as also suggested by Seng et al [37]; Spoann [15] and NLLC [17] in their case studies of Cambodia.…”

Waste Mismanagement in Developing Countries: A Review of Global Issues

“…In Cambodia, in the capital city Phnom Penh, where the MSW management (MSWM) system lacks regulation, households commonly burned, buried, or dumped about 361,000 tons of MSW in 2008, and 635,000 tons in 2015 [40]. In Thailand, more than 60% of the SW final disposal was carried out by open dumping.…”