Report on Household Solid Waste Management in Kalyani Municipality and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Introduction and Context

A 2024 study conducted in the Kalyani Municipality, West Bengal, assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of residents concerning household solid waste management (SWM). The findings provide critical insights into local progress and challenges in achieving key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Key Findings on Resident Knowledge and Attitudes

The study revealed a high level of awareness among the population regarding waste management issues. These attitudes form a crucial foundation for policies aimed at achieving environmental and health-related SDGs.

• General Knowledge: 91% of respondents correctly identified what constitutes solid waste.
• Environmental and Health Awareness: A significant majority were aware of the detrimental effects of unmanaged solid waste on public health and the environment, a concern central to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
• Urgency: 94% of residents believe SWM is a pressing environmental issue requiring immediate attention.
• Role of Education: A positive correlation was observed between higher levels of education and more constructive attitudes towards SWM.

Analysis of Waste Management Practices and Community Perception

While awareness is high, the translation of knowledge into consistent practice presents a more complex picture. The study highlighted both positive actions and significant perceptual barriers that impact the effectiveness of SWM programs.

1. Waste Segregation: 87% of residents reported segregating their household waste. This practice is a fundamental step towards achieving SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), specifically Target 12.5, which aims to substantially reduce waste generation through recycling and reuse.
2. Community Participation vs. Individual Impact: A major contradiction was uncovered. While an overwhelming 94% believe community participation is essential for effective SWM—a principle that supports SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)—more than half of the respondents feel their individual efforts to reduce waste are insignificant. This perception that the problem is too large for individual actions to solve undermines progress towards SDG 11 (Target 11.6), which focuses on reducing the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities.
3. Knowledge-Practice Gap: The study concluded that possessing knowledge and positive attitudes towards SWM does not automatically guarantee the adoption of better waste management practices, indicating a critical gap between awareness and action.

Conclusion: Aligning Local Action with Global Goals

The findings from Kalyani Municipality underscore a common challenge in urban environmental management. While the community possesses the foundational knowledge and belief in collective action necessary to support the SDGs, a sense of individual powerlessness hinders progress. To effectively advance goals related to sustainable cities (SDG 11), responsible consumption (SDG 12), and public health (SDG 3), future initiatives must focus on bridging the gap between awareness and behaviour. Efforts should be directed at demonstrating the cumulative impact of individual actions and empowering residents to see themselves as vital agents in achieving a sustainable and healthy urban environment.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The article directly addresses household solid waste management within the Kalyani Municipality, which is a core component of creating sustainable urban environments. The focus on waste segregation and community participation in waste management programs is central to this goal.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• The study’s focus on waste generation, segregation, and the attitudes of residents towards reducing their household waste directly relates to sustainable consumption and production patterns. The article highlights the challenge of encouraging waste reduction, a key aspect of SDG 12.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article mentions that residents “were aware of the damaging effects that solid wastes generated had on the environment and health of people.” This links waste management practices directly to public health outcomes, a key concern of SDG 3.

SDG 4: Quality Education

• The article establishes a clear link between education levels and sustainable practices, stating that “respondents who had higher education levels showed more positive attitudes” towards waste management. This highlights the role of education in fostering knowledge and positive attitudes for sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Target 11.6: “By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.” The entire study on household solid waste management, including practices like waste segregation (practiced by 87% of residents), directly contributes to achieving this target.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Target 12.5: “By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.” The article touches upon this by revealing a contradiction where people understand the problem but “more than half of the respondents feel that reducing their household waste hardly makes a difference,” indicating a barrier to achieving waste reduction.

SDG 4: Quality Education

• Target 4.7: “By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development…” The study assesses the “knowledge, attitudes, and practices” regarding waste management. The finding that 91% of respondents knew what solid waste was and that higher education correlated with more positive attitudes directly relates to this target.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.9: “By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.” The article implies this target by noting residents’ awareness of the “damaging effects that solid wastes generated had on the… health of people.” Proper waste management is a key strategy to mitigate such health risks.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Indicators for Target 11.6

• Proportion of municipal solid waste collected and managed in controlled facilities: The article provides a proxy indicator through the practice of waste segregation. The finding that “87 per cent of residents segregated their waste” can be used as a measure of improved waste management practices at the household level.
• Community participation in waste management: The article states that “94 per cent consider community participation crucial for effective waste management programmes,” which serves as an indicator of public readiness and engagement.

Indicators for Target 12.5

• Public attitude towards waste reduction: The finding that “more than half of the respondents feel that reducing their household waste hardly makes a difference” is a qualitative indicator measuring public perception and potential barriers to waste reduction efforts.

Indicators for Target 4.7

• Percentage of the population with knowledge of sustainable development topics: The article provides a direct indicator: “Ninety-one per cent of respondents in this study knew what solid waste was.”
• Correlation between education level and pro-environmental attitudes: The statement that “respondents who had higher education levels showed more positive attitudes” serves as an indicator of the effectiveness of education in promoting sustainability values.

Indicators for Target 3.9

• Public awareness of health risks from pollution: The article implies an indicator by stating that residents “were aware of the damaging effects that solid wastes generated had on the… health of people.” This awareness is a first step in behavioral change to reduce health risks.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: downtoearth.org.in