چالش ها در طرح جداسازی زباله های خانگی (HSWSP) در مبدا: مطالعه کیفی در ایران Challenges in household solid waste separation plan (HSWSP) at source: a qualitative study in Iran

Introduction Developing countries are faced with an increasing rate of population growth and industrial development, which may in turn result in producing huge amounts of solid waste, particularly in the fast-growing cities (Akhta et al. 2017). In many developing countries, municipal solid waste management is inefcient as a result of various factors like limited resources, lack of cooperation between organizations (Hazra and Sudha 2009), population growth and urbanization, poor management, lack of fnancial resources and lack of technical skills among municipal ofcials (Damghani et al. 2008). In such countries, therefore, the disposal and management of waste have rapidly been identifed as a social and environmental concern (Marshall and Khosrow 2013). Inappropriate management of municipal solid waste may result in many serious negative consequences including air pollution, loss of aesthetic values and economic losses (Damghani et al. 2008), and hygienic problems like transmission of diseases (Mohammed and Elias 2017). Waste management may be applied through several procedures such as incineration, landflling, energy production and recycling. Currently, the sustainable recycling methods and reusing waste have been recommended as efcient methods. These methods not only reduce the amount of waste and prevent further contamination of environment, but also help the managers in saving cost, energy and natural resources (Asase et al. 2009). Although source separation of waste is a common way to separate the recyclable fractions, efective participation of inhabitants is also required to promote the correct sorting of recyclable materials and food waste (Rousta and Dahlén 2015). Krook et al. (2007) reported that the success of household recycling programs is strongly depended to the citizens’ participation in the source separation process. In many developing countries only about 10% of the municipal solid waste are recycled (Rousta et al. 2015). In contrast, in developed countries, like Sweden, approximately 33% of municipal solid waste are recycled (Swedish Waste Management Association 2014). A signifcant factor in successful implementation of waste recycling plans in developed countries is active participation of citizens (Rada et al. 2013). As other contributing factors, attitudes toward recycling, environmental concern (Martin et al. 2006) and convenient access to recycling facilities (Dahlén et al. 2009; Refsgaard and Magnussen 2009) are reported, as well. In a previous Iranian study, the inefciency in source separation of waste plans was reported as the reason for insignifcant amount of recycled municipal solid waste (Damghani et al. 2008). As reported by other Iranian studies, such an inefciency in the plans may be due to the lack of participation among citizens, poor participation of private sector, inappropriateness of the collection systems and institutional problems at the waste management level—like the high cost of collection systems (Ahmadi et al. 2013; Fahiminia et al. 2013). In the past few years, the amount of solid waste generated in diferent urban areas of Tabriz, Iran, was reported to be 900–1200 tons per day.