INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE - IJIRK

[Pages:13]International Journal of Innovative Research and Knowledge

Volume-5 Issue-11, November 2020

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF

INNOVATIVE RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE

ISSN-2213-1356



MODEL OF RATIONAL PARTICIPATION: A CASE STUDY OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PROCESSES IN URBAN

COMMUNITIES OF SRI LANKA

M T M Mahees Senior Lecturer, Department of Sociology, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

Vineeshiya M.N Former Assistant Lecturer, Department of Social Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka

Belihuloya

Abstract Disposal of solid waste has been a leading environmental issue in Sri Lanka. In order to respond, Solid Waste Management (SWM) was identified as an important part to ensure both protection of the environment and human health. Because of the rapid increase in waste generation rates among urban communities, the increasing issues related to sustainable waste management is complicated. The socio-cultural factors are also recognized to be an important aspect for effective management apart from the technical and economic approaches which put up the background for SWM. The underlying principle of successful public participation is based on the fact that everybody generates waste and everybody should be responsible for proper management. Solid waste can be harmful to both man and the environment, if it is not managed properly. This paper attempts to analyze how one's environmental knowledge and level of education become noticeable as determining factors for the participation of the community into SWM. Businesses and households in the Balangoda Urban Council, Rathnapura District, of Sri Lanka was studied using the approach of the mixed method. Stakeholder analysis, simple observation, and semi-structured interviews were the key data collection tools. Semi-structured interviews were conducted covering 100 businesses and 100 households in the area, and 10 in-depth interviews with salient cases and key



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informant interviews were carried out. The study used secondary sources for conceptual and contextual issues, and a review of the literature to build a theoretical framework. The study found that the level of education appears as a major determining factor of community involvement in environmental concerns of solid waste management. Lack of environmental knowledge is one of the leading barriers to personal engagement with environmental management. Similarly, it affects the level of community contribution to solid waste management. A significant difference is found in how people participate in solid waste management activities based on different categories of their formal education (Nag, 2005, Abtahi et.al,2015). People who belong to high education levels have shown comparatively higher participation than those of lower levels. A similar pattern is recognized among the businesses too. The extent of participation is also measured by comparing means of combined categories of answers given to the questions about environmental awareness. Results found a positive correlation between the level of education and environmental awareness in which higher environmental awareness was demonstrated by people with better educational qualifications. However, with regard to environmental attitude, the study found a contradictory relationship. Those who are among low education categories were identified to have a positive attitude towards the environment. Among businesses a significant positive relationship with education and environmental attitudes was found in which, those who hold a high level of education were reported to hold positive environmental friendly attitudes. Consequently, the study disclosed that the rational behavior of participation in solid waste management is mainly determined by the level of education, environmental attitudes, and environmental awareness of urban dwellers.

Keywords: Community Participation, Solid Waste Management, Rational Participation, Environmental Attitudes, Environmental Awareness

1. Solid waste management procedure in Sri Lanka The relationship between waste generation and socioeconomic parameters varies from one country to the next. Socioeconomic factors such as cultural patterns, personal attitudes, and education, persons per dwelling are also some other main reasons (Bandara, et al, 2007). In Sri Lanka, solid waste administration has become one of the serious environmental concerns in the urban areas due to peoples' attitudes towards disposal of garbage and therefore the difficulties faced by relevant authorities in handling proper methods to solve them. Besides, with the rapid change of consumption patterns fostered by improved living standards and more liberal and growth-oriented industrial policies, the amount of SW has been increasing over the years (Nagamori et.al,2012, Balasooriya et.al,2014). Therefore, it is a common practice for the public, and some local authorities to dump it on roadsides and some other places like marshlands, wetlands, or reservations. Thus, the most common method of solid waste disposal remains to be open dumping. (Wijesekara et.al,2014, Menikpura et.al,2012, Esakku et.al,2007,). For this reason, it is one of the prior issues of local authorities to take responsibility for accomplishing solid waste management on their own.

The current waste collection rate collected by the local authorities in Sri Lanka is estimated at 2683 tons per day. However, it is assumed to be around 6,400 tons of total MSW generated per day in Sri Lanka. (Visvanathan, 2006). According to the CEA (2014), daily solid waste generation is 7500 MT and collection is 3500 per day. The Western Province marked the highest solid waste generation per day (0.4kg) while the Sabaragamuwa Province accounts for nearly 0.25 kg per day marking comparatively lowest per capita solid waste generation.

In Sri Lanka finance for waste management activities of Local Authorities is mainly found through the fund sources of provincial councils and other revenues. LAs make them through taxes, license fees, property tax, and



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other service charges. From the revenue, UCs spend approximately 20% of their budget on waste management. Though most LA,s are having no clearly defined institutional arrangements for waste management, mainly Medical Officers of Health in the public health (MOH) departments and the Public Health Inspectors (PHI) in UCs are in charge of waste management in their relevant administrative boundaries. But due to the busy schedule of their duties, they have to pay attention to other public health concerns rather than waste management. Besides, no direct fee is charged on household waste collection or disposal. All those are enclosed in the tax collected for the quarter. Hence responsibility vested on waste management over the governmental agents is often overlapped. This results, in passing responsibilities to each other without taking any action on their own. Currently, there are no standards or guidelines nor any proper regulations for the disposal of solid waste except for some hazardous materials. (Zon and Siriwardene, 2000).

In Sri Lanka, it is estimated that per capita waste generation in the Colombo Municipal Council on the average is 0.85 kg, in other Municipal Councils 0.75 kg, in Urban Councils 0.60 kg and 0.40 kg in Pradeshiya Sabhas. Nevertheless, it is estimated that yet only 2683 tons of daily waste collection is done by Local Authorities. Meanwhile, the total MSW generated in Sri Lanka is assumed to be around 6,400 tons per day (Pollution Control Division CEA, 2012).

Figure 1.1: Compositions of Municipal Solid Waste in Sri Lanka

Source: Database of Solid Waste in Sri Lanka, "Pilisaru" National Solid Waste Management Program, CEA,2012

Sri Lankan Solid waste collection mainly consists of (54.5%) short term bio-degradable waste material such as food waste, plants and excreted materials from live animals, etc. long term biodegradable (5.9%) mostly found as coconut shells, rice husks, etc. Non-degradable waste mainly consists of polythene, plastic shopping bags, metal waste. Wooden, garment, glass, and construction waste, hazardous, and other industrial waste comprised of nonbiodegradable. (Hikkaduwa et al., 2015). Food and garden waste are primary components on a weight basis nearly accounting for 89.2%. (Wijerathna, et al., 2012). Substantially it has higher organic and higher moisture content. Typically, about 65 ? 66% of weight consists of an excessive percentage of perishable organic material which is with modest amounts of plastic, paper, and small contents of metal and glass. (Gunaruwan and Gunasekara, 2016).



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Table 1.1 Waste Generation Rates and collection amount

Local Authority

No Waste Generation % Collection metric tons (Kg/per day)

Municipal Council 12 49.5%

1,696 Mt

Urban Councils 37 17.4%

594.5 Mt

Pradeshiya Sabha 255 33.1%

1,133 Mt

Source: Hikkaduwa, et al., 2015

2. Study site and Methodology The problem of solid waste disposal is essentially an urban problem that depends on several reasons such as socio-economic conditions, physical and geographical factors, and public attitudes towards both recycling and reuse of waste. Accordingly, to examine the above problem, a questionnaire survey for households and the business community was administrated. The findings of this paper are based on the analyses of both qualitative and quantitative data obtained from surveys (n=200; 100 households, 100 business holders), and non-participant observation conducted at Balangoda Urban Council area of Ratnapura District, Sri Lanka. Comparisons were made between households and businesses of different socio-economic levels. Mainly, quantitative data was gathered related to basic socio-economic factors related to SW handling among households and business communities.

The study administrated 200 questionnaires covering households (100) and the business community (100) located in two selected urban wards following the proportional allocation method in stratified random sampling techniques based on their ethnicity and sex. A selected group of people from two urban wards in Balangoda UC namely Thumbagoda and Balangoda were used as the population. The total population in these two urban wards consisted of 6272 out of which 5848 are an urban community. Balangoda Town is the main administrative area of the UC and has a select business community. Balangoda ward has a population of 2744 (Sinhala 1915, Tamil 256, Muslim 478), and out of the business community 100 proportional samples were drawn from 72, 10, and 18 selected Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim community-owned business. Thumbagoda ward consists of urban, rural, and estate communities which make it the highest population among other wards in the BUC. In this population, households are Sinhalese 1406, Tamil 213, and Muslim 73. The selected 100 sizes of the sample are distributed among the Thumbagoda ward as 70, 10, and 20 respectively. According to the University of Moratuwa and UNHabitat ethnic distribution of Balangoda UC, the population showed that there is a majority of Sinhalese 67 %, Tamils 15%, and Muslim 18%. The main elements of the SWM process in this area are accounted for through non-participant observation tasks like road swapping, garbage collection, grading garbage, and composting.

Survey Data is analyzed using the SPSS statistical package. The researcher identified the relationship between variables (income, SW generation, awareness, attitudes, community participation, and level of education, gender, and ethnicity) during this time. Univariate, Bivariate and Multivariate analyses were used to find patterns and relationship between different variables. The researcher identified the relationship between variables and qualitative data using the N-Vivo 10 software program. The relationship between the level of education and participation in SWM has been analyzed under similar themes according to the qualitative narratives. Afterward, the researcher establishes connections, patterns, trends, and classifications in order to meet the objectives of the study.



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3. Role of education; environmental knowledge and the participation Researches regarding the role of socio-demographic variables about people's environmental attitudes and behaviors have not revealed a clear pattern of results. Much research indicates that higher educational levels (e.g., Samdahl & Robertson, 1989), younger age (e.g., VanLiere & Dunlap, 1980), and high socioeconomic status (e.g., Mohai, 1985; Vining & Ebreo, 1990) are positively related to concern for the environment. Further studies suggested that gender (e.g., Arcury, Scollay, & Johnson, 1987) and marital status have been linked to increased environmental concern (Ebreo, et al., 1999 pp110-113).

In a new study concerning environmentally responsible consumer behavior, the demographic factor of education appears as a major determining factor of the state of community participation in environmental concerns. The correlation between education level and concern for the environment is particularly mixed. While higher education has been demonstrated to correlate with pro-environment attitudes, the lower educational level found the less correlation between education and environmental concerns. (Whittaker, et al., 2005). Most environmental problems are ultimately found to be having a human cause. In the same way, solutions are possible with the positive involvement of attitudes and behavioral change of the forced community. Accordingly, education is a key tool in influencing and informing those solutions. Lack of environmental knowledge is one of the most barriers to personal engagement with environmental management. Moreover, it affects people's participation levels in solid waste management as one of the major environmental issues at present. Community Participation involves the process by which individuals and families accountable for their welfare and health acquire the capacity to contribute to both theirs as well as community development. They are well aware of their situation and are encouraged to solve their common problems (Gotame, 2012). Figure number 3.1 has shown the distinctness of the Balangoda UC in characteristics of education of the sample population.

Up to Grade 6 11.0%

Up to grade 8 6.0%

Post Graduate 13.0%

Graduate 31.0%

O/L 37.0%

A /L 2.0%

Figure 3.1: Education level of households of BUC

1,2Source: Field Study, 2019

1 "The Sri Lankan Ordinary Level (O-level) is a General Certificate of Education (GCE) qualification in Sri Lanka, conducted by the Department of Examinations of the Ministry of Education. It is based on the Cambridge University Ordinary Level qualification" ().

2 "The Sri Lankan Advanced Level (A-level), is a General Certificate of Education (GCE) qualification exam in Sri Lanka, similar to the British Advanced Level, conducted annually by the Department of Examinations of the Ministry of Education" ().



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Environmental issues are not merely the problems of technology and industry. Solid waste disposal is a social problem that challenges societal structure to change the patterns of social organization. Social inequality plays a vital role in causing socio-environmental problems. Social inequality caused by environmental problems brings the problem of social inequality into effect across the human community. Social inequality is both a "product and producer of pollution, overconsumption, resource depletion and habitat loss. Risky technology, and rapid population growth". (Michael and Michael, 2011:03). Among the household population, people who attained their secondary education qualifications marked 83% of the sample and only 17% is reported to have primary education. Among the business categories, the number is 92% and 8% respectively.

Up to Grade 6 3.0% Up to Grade 8

5.0%

A /L 49.0%

O/L 43.0%

Figure 3.2: Level of education of the Business Community of BUC

Source: Field Study, 2019

The concept of community participation brings different meanings of different contexts to which it applies. Participation is a process whereby community members desire to be part of affairs that affect their lives. Studies have found that people who are with parallel goals and needs affecting their lives usually tend to take collective decisions. (Waweru, 2015). In this case, participation always ensures community empowerment. When participation is understood as a means, it normally becomes a form of mobilization to get things ended by the people themselves for their better outcomes. Participation and mobilization are two different concepts because participation can be voluntary according to the meanings derived through the individuals. They may participate in environmental activities for their rational requirement. If mobilization happens through a forced involvement of a third party (any local authority or private organization) the situation would be different. In such a situation people can be engaging in such activities due to forced mobilization. Thus, rationality has a direct link with the level of education that one can have. "The civic voluntarism model" of political participation points out that the social status of an individual largely determines how much the individual participates. This happens through the overriding effect of a range of civic attitudes pertaining to participation. It determines the psychological involvement and sense of obligation to participate. It was found that people who are young, well-educated, and coming from high socioeconomic status, and who resided in urban, more willingly than rural areas appeared as much environmentally responsible. (Ebreo et al 1999).



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Table 3.1: Education Level and Participation -Households

Education N Me Std. Std.

level

an Dev error

Sig. (p=0.0 5)

Below O/L

Above O/L

7 1.5 0.424 0.16 74

6 2.3 0.720 0.091 3 72

0.001

Source: Field Study, 2019

Table 3.2: Education Level and Participation -Business Community

Education N Mean Std. Std.

level

D error

Sig. (p=0.05)

Below O/L

Above O/L

6 1.398 0.249 0.10 77 2.42 1.15 0.13

0.000

Source: Field Study, 2019

Participation was measured by several variables. Variables of education are considered by using two independent groups as above and below by considering the number of years in which respondents attend formal education. Since, by using the most appropriate technique two independent sample tests were performed. As shown in the above table (Table 1), there is a significant difference in community participation in SWM activities of the community according to different categories of education3. The pattern is similar amidst the business community as well.

Community Mobilization is pushing people together to pursue common interests by creating a sense of unity, ownership, and self-control. Community Mobilization is the process of getting people to overcome their differences, to begin a dialogue on an equal basis to determine issues that affect their community. (participant's handbook for lower local governments, 2003). According to the normative argument of participation viewed, "People are expected to be able to influence collective decisions that affect them, even if they may not choose to exert that influence" (Fiorino, 1990 pp228). As the theory of reasoned action implies, their reasoned action results through numerous factors. Participation can be viewed as community involvement to manage solid waste as the final behavior of the particular community in a way their reasoned action is determined.

3Comparing the mean values of below and above O/L education level groups, an unequal variance result is found since the p-value is 0.000, by rejecting the null hypothesis and concluding there is a difference between the mean values of below and above O/L education level groups at 5% significance level.



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Figure 3.1: Theory of reasoned action

Source: Kaiser, et al., 1999

This intention is perceived as a function of "one's attitude towards performing a particular act and one's subjective norms and salient information or factual knowledge as a necessary precondition for any attitude". Subjective norms refer; an individual should perform from all normative attitudes, social expectations, and moral principles relevant to the ultimate actions of his/her own. (Kaiser, et al., 1999:15). The community should have the prior intention of participating in solid waste handling at the beginning. For that reason, attitude is not just the evaluation of a given outcome but also the assessment of the likelihood of this outcome. Those who rationally decided to engage in the particular action are expecting an outcome. This can be a material benefit or a positive reward. Managing solid waste can bring economic benefits or any other threat-free environment benefits to the participants. In a way participation of the community in SWM results in rational benefits that people can receive at the end.

For social ecology, "ecological problems cannot be resolved without prior understanding of the current society and the irrationalities that dominate it" (Murray, 2003:7). In fact, the manner in which human beings act as social beings is crucial to ecological damage. Also, the `elite' in the fields of science and technology play a vital role in determining people's participation. Their decisions and the explanations of consequences play an influential role in the decisions of the average masses. "`Expert' perceptions of problems (e.g., the nature of risk and priorities for collective action) are judged to be more rational than the `subjective' perceptions of the less technically sophisticated public". (Fiorino, 1990:229). Education and environmental awareness play a vital role in deciding rational action among individual mindsets. The following question was raised to evaluate the environmental awareness of the sample population. "Do you know of any environmental issues related to SW disposal in your area"? This measured out the level of awareness related to solid waste dumping in the area.

This is one important factor considered in understanding people's participation in managing their solid waste. Although it is difficult to find the exact level of awareness among the people, some common questions were asked to measure it out as follows. The study measured awareness of environmental issues surrounding the area based on the question; Do you know any environmental issues related to solid waste dumping in your area? According to responses, 67.9% are aware of the problems and they represent a high education category. Only 20.2% of people are unaware of the problems in their surrounding area and out of that 20.5% belong to the low education category. Human behaviors result in a person's thoughts and actions. One's unique personality molds the individual to develop into a unique character and it determines his or her self and identity. This is importantly guiding the behavior of an individual.



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