Hawker’s Community Awareness and Knowledge towards Sustainable Solid Waste Management in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Abstract

Solid waste management practice is one of the crucial components in developing a sustainable city. The practice of sustainable solid waste management among the community is reflecting one of the sustainable community features. However, developing a sustainable community is not an easy task where it requires commitment from multiple stakeholders. Hawker's community is essential in urban areas where it plays a vital role in economic development and environmental sustainability. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine hawker's community's knowledge, awareness, and practices in solid waste management. This study used a questionnaire as the primary research instrument. A total of 105 respondents participated in this study, where they are hawkers in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia. Descriptive analysis was applied to examine the hawker's community's awareness, knowledge, and practice on sustainable solid waste management, which focuses on recycling and composting. This study found out that the awareness of respondents on sustainable solid waste management is high. However, the knowledge of respondents is at a moderate level. This study also reveals that the respondent is reluctant to practice sustainable solid waste management because of time constraints and inconvenient facilities. This finding is significant to local authority and government agencies to develop sustainable community framework in an urban area.