Awareness Regarding Decentralized Waste Management Practices among the Educational Institutions of Ludhiana City

Increasing urbanization and the surge in waste generation have highlighted the importance of decentralized waste management practices, particularly within educational institutions, to promote sustainability. The present study was conducted to evaluate the awareness regarding type of waste generated among the students and to assess the knowledge about the decentralized waste management practices among the students. Data was collected from five schools and one university using structured questionnaire administered to 90 students. The data revealed that majority of the respondents i.e. 63.33 per cent were aged between 16–19 years. More than half (53.33%) of the respondents expressed a neutral opinion regarding waste is a serious problem in their institution. Most of the respondents reported that Plastic (96.60%) and Paper (86.70%) were the main types of waste produced in their institution. None of the institution had separate bin for different waste. Only 16.66 per cent of the respondents reported that their institution conducted awareness programmes and all of these students were from to university. Regarding cleanliness, half of the respondents (50%) reported that the institution was clean. Majority of the respondents were not aware about the decentralized waste management. Majority of the respondents were never participated in segregation, composting and recycling of waste programmes. The study emphasizes the need for policy development on decentralized waste management practices so that it can be implemented in the institutional levels. Moreover, there is need of proper awareness programs with hands-on trainings to students for involvement and practical demonstrations to promote Segregation and decentralized waste management practices at grassroots level.