Levers Influencing Sustainable Waste Recovery at Households Level: A Review

Sustainability in domestic solid waste management involves waste recovery and households are a major stakeholder in waste management systems. However, the involvement of households in the recovery of waste for recycling, reuse and energy purposes is influenced by a number of levers. In order to achieve sustainable waste recovery systems, it is cardinal to understand the levers that influence households to recover waste from both developing and developed economies. A literature review was conducted to extensively identify and analyze the levers that influence households' participation in waste recovery programs. The results indicate that; social demographic factors, economic incentives, awareness and knowledge on recycling, waste collection systems and other levers influence households to participate in the recovery of waste. The findings from the review may provide vital indicators to authorities in the waste management sector in Zambia and other nations for future implementation and development of solid waste recovery systems at source level in households and at awareness campaigns which publicly recommend the use of these systems.