| Author | Hlaing Myint |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no. UE-98-2 |
| Subject(s) | Salvage (Waste, etc.)-- Myanmar -- Yangon
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Inadequate waste collection and improper disposal coverage of the population to be served is
one of the most important problem areas in domestic waste management in many developing
countries especially in Yangon, the capital city of Myanmar, with a population of 3.57 million.
Although the municipal authorities in Yangon acknowledge the importance of household
waste collection and disposal, it is mostly beyond their financial, material, technical and
manpower resources to collect and dispose of the growing amount of refuse generated by the
expanding city. The increase in waste quantities and scarcity of disposal sites force the
authorities to look into alternative means to solve the problem of solid waste disposal in the
urban area of Yangon.
This social and behavioral aspect study regarding solid waste disposal behavior in Yangon is
considered to be a viable option in managing solid waste properly. There is a negative attitude
and behaviour of the citizens in solid waste disposal. Wastes are frequently dumped on
roadsides and into open drains. The problem is most acute in low-income, sub-urban areas of
new satellite towns where access with collection trucks is difficult or absent and where bell
ringing collection system is not practiced. The study is done by examining the level of
environmental awareness of (1) high-income households (2) middle-income households and
(3) low-income households, in Yangon. The relationship with environmental awareness and
waste disposal behaviour and socio-economic factors such as education, income and
education, and the institutional factors such as dissemination of environmental information,
existence of training and seminar related to environmental issues, presence of environmental
program and activities among schoolchildren, and efficiency of municipal waste collection
have been analyzed.
The study shows that generally, peoples' perception on environment is high. Waste disposal
practices have significant correlation with the environmental awareness especially considering
their level of income and occupation. There is also a significant relationship between the waste
disposal practices and the efficiency of municipal waste collection. The study examines the
relationship of how people perceive solid waste disposal, and what is actually done with the
disposal of solid waste in Yangon City. The strong relationships are institutional factors and
their waste disposal behaviour. It is more evident that respondents from high collection of
waste area have better waste disposal practices than low collection area. After analyzing the
strength and weaknesses regarding environmental awareness and waste disposal behaviour, it
is recommended to strengthen the environmental awareness through environmental education,
dissemination of environmental information, training programs, and activities. The study also
recommends to strengthen the capacity of municipal government with models for efficient
urban environmental management, effective environmental awareness projects, as well as for
effective household waste management in Yangon city. |
| Year | 1999 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Urban Environmental and Management (UE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Zimmermann, Willi; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Nurul Amin, A.T.M. ;Walter, G.; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC); |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1999 |