"International Journal of Geography, Geology and Environment"

This study offers a detailed empirical assessment of solid waste management practices in Girdharpur Village, located in Gautam Buddha Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh, India. Grounded in the principles of the waste hierarchy and circular economy, it explores household-level behaviors—particularly segregation, composting, and recycling within a rural context marked by infrastructural limitations and institutional gaps.

The research focused on three objectives: (i) examining prevailing waste segregation practices, (ii) assessing the environmental impact of current disposal methods, and (iii) identifying systemic, socio-cultural, and behavioral barriers to sustainable waste governance. A mixed-methods design ensured analytical depth and data triangulation. Quantitative data were collected from 75 randomly selected households through structured surveys. This was supplemented by semi-structured interviews with five key informants, field observations, and secondary data reviews.

Findings show that organic waste constitutes 76% of household waste, yet its management remains largely informal. Although 62.7% of households engage in composting, efforts are hampered by limited technical knowledge, seasonal challenges, and inadequate infrastructure. Regular waste segregation is practiced by only 9.3% of households, and participation in recycling initiatives is minimal. Additionally, 65.3% of households lack formal waste collection services, leading to open dumping and burning practices harmful to both the environment and public health.

Despite these challenges, the study found promising community engagement: 92% of respondents recognized the environmental harm of improper disposal, and 94.7% expressed willingness to join structured community waste programs. Key informants echoed these findings and stressed the urgency of decentralized systems supported by environmental education, infrastructure, and institutional backing.

The study concludes that advancing sustainable rural waste management in India requires a multidimensional strategy involving behavior change, technical training, community participation, and policy integration tailored to local socio-economic realities.