Investigation of Environmental Pollution in Residential Areas From Littered Wastes

Abstract

Background: The problem of waste littering in urban areas is a widespread issue in most cities and represents a significant challenge in waste management. Hence, this study aimed to assess the level of environmental pollution in urban areas in terms of litter density. Methods: The quantity of littered wastes (LWs) was examined across six residential areas, with observations and waste counting conducted over a two-month period on both working days and weekends. The LWs were categorized into four groups, and their on-site density was calculated. Results: The results indicated that the average waste density in the locations studied was 5.08 number/m2. The lowest recorded LW number was 19.49 number/100 m, while the highest was 30.49 number/100 m. The categories of plastic and tobacco wastes comprised 13.25% and 82.64% of the total LWs, respectively. On average, 0.71 number/100 m of paper were observed in the areas studied, accounting for 2.8% of the total LWs. The presence of suitable waste bins in the areas surveyed underscores the significant influence of individual behavior on urban pollution. Conclusion: Therefore, there is a pressing need to raise awareness among citizens regarding the consequences of littering and to implement more effective urban cleanup methods.