Determinants of Household Waste Handling Practices in a Rapidly Growing Indonesian City: A Case Study of Medan City

Abstract

This study examines the determinants of household waste handling practices in Medan, Indonesia. A cross-sectional survey covering 21 sub-districts involving 401 households was conducted to assess waste disposal and segregation behavior and socio-demographic characteristics. Improper waste disposal, defined as open burning and disposal into rivers, was observed in 18% of households. Chi-square analysis revealed a strong association between waste collection fee payment (χ2 = 212.51, p ≈ 0.000) and improper waste disposal, as well as a significant association with education level (χ2 = 14.85, p = 0.0006). Household size (χ2 = 2.50, p = 0.286) showed no significant association. Logistic regression analysis also confirmed that waste collection fee payment (odds ratio (OR) = 0.01, p < 0.001) significantly reduces the odds of improper waste disposal, while higher education level (OR = 0.46, p = 0.028) is associated with lower odds. In contrast, analysis of waste segregation indicates that education level (OR = 1.28, p = 0.185), waste collection fee payment (OR = 0.91, p = 0.718), and household size (OR = 1.05, p = 0.580) do not show a significant effect. This study highlights a fundamental distinction between system-driven and behavior-driven waste practices. While improper waste disposal is system-driven, it can be effectively reduced through improvements in waste collection services; promoting waste segregation as behavior-driven requires targeted behavioral interventions.