Determinants of Waste-sorting Practice of Rural Households

Introduction: Household waste across the globe is increasing, including in rural areas. Rural households in Indonesia prefer open dumping and open burning than start recycling their waste. This study investigates the determinants of waste-sorting practice as a vital part of recycling practice among rural households. Materials and methods: We surveyed 2,459 households living in Bojonegoro district where the largest rural areas of East Java. We used data on education, income, healthy lifestyle, the 3R campaign outreach, the availability of final disposal site and the waste circular system as the predictors of waste-sorting practice. We used multiple linear regression analysis to model the predictors of this behavior. Results: 3R practices around Bojonegoro Regency amounted to 3.9%. Second model shows that the presence of a Temporary trash disposal sites influences waste sorting behavior with p<0.1, the magnitude of R2 for the presence of a Temporary trash disposal sites (R2=0.039). The third model shows that the availability of waste management influences waste sorting behavior with a p value <0.01, the magnitude of R2 is the availability of waste management (R2 = 0.184). The fourth model shows that the 3R practice influences waste sorting behavior (R2 = 0.333). The fifth model with p<0.01 shows that the availability of waste management and the 3R practice influence waste sorting behavior. Conclusion: Amid the waste-sorting practice among rural households is pathetic, there is still possibility to change this behavior. Providing a proper infrastructure of waste circular system and familiarizing 3R practice could help improving the waste-sort behavior among rural households.