Household-level determinants of residential solid waste generation rates: a study from Nablus-Palestine

In this work, we elucidate the relation of various household-level socioeconomic and demographic attributes with the residential per capita solid waste generation rate in the Nablus district of Palestine. The data collection phase entailed an extensive survey of 992 dwellings, thus probing and quantifying key socioeconomic and demographic indicators of each household. Meticulous estimation of the amount of waste generated by each household was conducted at the waste generation point. Relevant statistical tests (ANOVA and Pearson tests) were performed to identify the significant relationships between the socioeconomic/demographic variables and the residential per capita solid waste generation rate, as well as amongst the variables themselves. Statistical analysis of the data revealed that the waste generation rate decreased as the family’s income decreased, as parents tended to spend more time at home, as the number of individuals living in the household increased, and as the household tended to purchase its grocery needs in just the needed quantities. Age of dwelling residents was also significant. By showing how these variables affect the waste generated per capita, an argument was made to support their consideration when designing future waste management systems, not only for Nablus, but also for many other cities with similar profiles.