Municipal solid waste characterization and household waste behaviors in a megacity in the northwest of Iran

Improper solid waste management poses adverse health effects and pollution challenges in both developed and developing countries. The present study is aimed to evaluate the fate of municipal solid waste (MSW) and household waste behaviors in Tabriz megacity. A questionnaire survey was performed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of residents toward MSW reduction, source separation, recycling and collection. The results indicated that food wastes make up the highest portion of MSW, and high moisture content of waste leads to low heating value which is below than average heating value for applicability of incineration. Potentially recyclable wastes such as paper and cardboard, plastics, metals, textiles, glass, wood and others make up a total of 33% of the household solid wastes. Investigation of the fate of MSW revealed that about 55.5% of generated waste ends up in landfill sites, 20.5% is separated by itinerant buyers and separation facility just before landfilling, and 24% is converted into compost. The evaluation of resident’s behaviors toward MSW demonstrated the low knowledge of respondents and their high willingness to segregate solid wastes.