Waste as a Social Dilemma

In Delhi, as in many other large cities in the developing world, the inappropriate management of municipal solid waste is a significant flaw in the quality of life of its residents and a serious threat to the environment. This book focuses on city residents as waste producers and their role in municipal solid waste management. It argues that the waste problem is caused by human behaviour and therefore the solution lies in changing that behaviour. After examining waste related attitudes and behaviours and the factors influencing these, the book proposes several policy recommendations aiming to reach more environment-friendly and socially equitable conduct. In other words it suggests ways to escape the social dilemma of being buried under one's own trash. Besides making an appealing reading to environmentalists and to anyone interested in social dilemmas and waste management, the book is especially useful for government bodies and NGOs planning interventions for improving solid waste management systems, as well as for all those who believe it is time to place waste at the top of development agendas instead of, yet again, sweeping it under the carpet.