Educational Interventions for Waste Separation in Iran: A Systematic Review

Source separation is one of the most cost-effective and sustainable approaches to urban waste management. This approach increases the recycling of useful materials, reduces environmental pollution, and improves the quality of life for residents of urban communities. This systematic review was conducted to identify and explain interventions related to source separation of waste by reviewing published research in Iran from 1980 to 2024, providing a comprehensive view of the current situation in the country. The systematic search and review procedure was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. Up-to-date data were obtained by executing queries in international databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and Embase, as well as domestic databases such as Magiran and SID, from their inception up to July 28, 2024. Ultimately, 33 studies that met the inclusion criteria were reviewed; these were conducted between 2012 and 2023 across 20 provinces of Iran and focused on source separation education methods. Of the 33 studies, 15 (45.45%) were descriptive, while 18 (54.54%) were interventional. The total number of participants included in these studies was 15,588.