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1 – 3 of 3Siwaporn Tangwanichagapong, Vilas Nitivattananon, Brahmanand Mohanty and Chettiyappan Visvanathan
This paper aims to describe the effects of 3R (reduce, reuse and recycle) waste management initiatives on a campus community. It ascertains the environmental attitudes and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to describe the effects of 3R (reduce, reuse and recycle) waste management initiatives on a campus community. It ascertains the environmental attitudes and opinions of the residents and investigates their behavioral responses to waste management initiatives. Practical implications for enhancing sustainable waste management are discussed in this paper.
Design/methodology/approach
Demonstration projects on waste segregation and recycling, as well as waste a reduction campaign, were set up on the campus to ascertain people’s attitudes and investigate their behavioral responses toward 3R practices. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey, observations, interviews and the project’s document review. A waste audit and waste composition analysis was carried out to assess waste flows and actual waste management behaviors and measure the change in the recycling rate.
Findings
3R waste management initiatives had positive effects on people’s attitudes about resources, waste management and consciousness of the need to avoid waste, but these initiatives did not affect recycling and waste management behavior. A voluntary approach-only cannot bring about behavioral change. Incentive measures showed a greater positive effect on waste reduction to landfills. Nevertheless, the demonstration projects helped to increase the overall campus recycling from 10 to 12 per cent.
Originality/value
This paper addresses a literature gap about the 3R attitudes and resulting behavior as part of campus sustainability of higher education institutions in a developing country. The authors’ results revealed hurdles to be overcome and presents results that can be compared to behavioral responses of people from other developed countries. These findings can be used as a guide for higher education institution’s policy-makers, as they indicate that voluntary instruments alone will not yield effective results, and other mechanisms that have an impact on people's behavior are required.
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Keywords
Rice agroecosystems must grow sustainably to meet the increasing demand for food. A fish-rice co-culture was introduced to conserve rice agroecosystems in farming communities…
Abstract
Purpose
Rice agroecosystems must grow sustainably to meet the increasing demand for food. A fish-rice co-culture was introduced to conserve rice agroecosystems in farming communities. This study aims to assess the technical, socio-economic and environmental outcomes as the pillars of sustainability.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employs a mixed qualitative-quantitative approach to assess a sustainable intensification programme's impact on sustainability. Data were collected using group discussions and self-assessment surveys. The study sites cover East Java and West Java provinces.
Findings
This study found that rice-fish co-culture improved the sustainability of the farming system. Farmers applied pest and disease management and partially substituted inorganic fertilisers with organic ones. The outcomes were apparent in the diversity of harvested products. Economically, the rice yield increased, the production costs decreased and the resultant increased income. Environmentally, the fish-rice co-culture was sound because of ecological inputs. The population of natural enemies of pests increased. Socially, fish-rice co-culture was acceptable to the community since there was no conflict with the local governments, local norms and religions and the existing farming practices of other crops.
Research limitations/implications
This study was based on five groups as case studies, such that the result might not represent the general condition.
Originality/value
The study's methodology was supported by valid economic theories and data directly gathered from farmers.
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