KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER ON SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT THROUGH COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN THE AREA CHANA DISTRICT, SONGKHLA PROVINCE

Abstract

This action research was conducted in collaboration with Na Thap Subdistrict Municipality, Chana District, Songkhla Province. The objectives were to transfer knowledge about household waste management, develop a waste management model, and establish public policies for household waste management in Na Thap Subdistrict, Chana District, Songkhla Province. Three strong communities were selected as pilot areas: Ban Na Thap Community, Ban Tao It Community, and Ban Ku Nam Rob Community. Knowledge transfer on household waste management with community participation covered topics including general waste knowledge, source waste separation, establishment of waste banks, brainstorming to create a participatory waste management model, and setting up organic waste bins at the household level. The study results showed that people in the pilot areas gained knowledge and understanding of household waste management and were ready to cooperate in source waste management. Follow-up monitoring after knowledge transfer revealed significant behavioral changes in household waste management, including systematic waste separation by type, joint establishment of community waste banks and setting up household organic waste bins. Regarding the waste management model development community members helped design a model with two responsible parties: households and the municipality. Households would be responsible for operational-level management of all types of source waste according to municipal policies, while the municipality would be responsible for policy-making, promoting and supporting household waste management activities, and developing waste management plans as public policy to expand coverage to all areas.