Demographic and Socioeconomic Factors Affecting Household Solid Waste Generation, Composition, and Management: A Case Study of Iraq

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the effects of demographic and socioeconomic factors on household solid waste generation and composition in Iraq. Data were collected through observations, interviews, and structured questionnaires. Household solid waste generation was assessed over 7 consecutive days (1 week), with respondents recording daily waste quantities and composition using a measurement protocol provided for households as a guide. A total of 643 responses were obtained, comprising 481 household responses and 162 university employees. The findings showed that the largest share of household waste was organic waste, mainly due to cultural preferences for home‐cooked meals. Household waste segregation and recycling remain limited, including the segregation of hazardous and medical waste, due to low environmental awareness and inadequate collection infrastructure. Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests showed that residential location, household size, and educational attainment significantly influenced waste generation and segregation behavior, while governorate and the number of children under 5 years of age had comparatively limited effects. The pilot of using segregation bins in Northern Technical University (NTU) revealed positive employee attitudes toward waste segregation, with willingness to implement segregation practices at home if suitable bins were provided. These findings suggest that improving household solid waste management in Iraq requires enhanced public awareness campaigns and expanded segregation infrastructure. The proposed approach may also be applicable to other countries facing similar socioeconomic and waste management challenges.