The effect of training on public participation in the in-house separation of urban wastes

Recycling and reuse of municipal solid waste is one of the most important components of waste management. In this regards, education plays an important role in people motivation and changing their behavior. The aim of this study was to identify effect of education on people participation in source separation of municipal solid waste in district 5 of Tehran municipality. In this experimental study, 300 families were randomly selected from this area. These families were divided into three groups including workshops based education; training packages based education and no education. People motivation to participate in source separation of the waste was surveyed using a questionnaire. Results showed that the most important barrier factors stated by workshops and package education groups were time-consuming of separation, lack of space in the apartment, irregular waste collection and ineffectiveness of separation. People encouraging, paying waste charges and providing a healthier environment were the most important of the motivational factors, according to people with education. Education, particularly workshops based education greatly influenced on people motivation and waste separation. The effect of package based education on people participation in waste separation was more than no education group and less than workshops group.