Household Solid Waste Burning in Residential Neighborhoods and Its Environmental Impacts from Residents’ Perspectives: A Field Study of Al-Masmari Planned Neighborhood in Al-Marj City

Abstract

       This study aims to investigate the phenomenon of household solid waste burning in residential neighborhoods and identify its main causes and environmental impacts from the residents’ perspectives, with particular reference to Al-Masmari Planned Neighborhood in Al-Marj City. The study adopted a descriptive-analytical approach and used a questionnaire as the main tool for collecting field data. A total of 80 questionnaires were randomly distributed among residents of the study area, and the responses were statistically analyzed. The findings revealed that household waste burning occurs in the study area at varying levels, with burning waste near residential houses representing the most prominent manifestation of the phenomenon, accounting for 37.5% of responses, Irregular waste collection was identified as the main reason for resorting to waste burning, accounting for 31.25%, followed by the shortage of waste collection containers at 28.75%, The results also showed that air pollution was the most recognized environmental risk among residents, accounting for 50% of responses, while the spread of smoke in the air was the most noticeable environmental impact, reaching 63.75%,The study further revealed a relatively low level of environmental awareness, as 80% of respondents considered the existing level of environmental awareness insufficient to reduce waste burning, while 86.25% indicated the absence of inadequacy of awareness campaigns. Regular waste collection was identified as the most important measure for reducing the phenomenon, according to 63.75% of respondents, The study recommends improving the regularity of waste collection and transportation, increasing the number of waste containers, strengthening environmental awareness programs, and enhancing monitoring and enforcement to reduce open waste burning in residential areas.