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@article{183347,
        author = {Nikita Sharma and Uttam Prakash Sharma},
        title = {PUBLIC AWARENESS AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRIORITIZATION IN URBAN WASTE MANAGEMENT: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY FROM SMART CITY UDAIPUR},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {12},
        number = {3},
        pages = {1294-1300},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=183347},
        abstract = {This study investigates public awareness regarding the environmental and health impacts of waste, its contribution to epidemic outbreaks, and its potential for resource recovery in Smart City Udaipur. Using a survey of 519 residents, the research assesses the level of knowledge and perception toward landfill hazards, causes of disease outbreaks, and recycling possibilities. Findings indicate that only 41.23% of respondents were aware of the negative impacts of landfill sites on environmental and human health, while a significant proportion remained unaware or uncertain. Additionally, 45.66% of the participants identified the growing quantity of garbage as the main cause of epidemic outbreaks, followed by 38.34% who cited improper garbage collection. Only 55.11% acknowledged that a significant portion of household waste could be converted into useful resources.
These results highlight critical gaps in environmental awareness, especially concerning the adverse effects of unscientific waste disposal and the benefits of sustainable waste practices. The study underscores the need for targeted public education campaigns, community engagement, and participatory governance in promoting informed waste management behavior. The research also contributes to policy formulation by revealing the disconnect between waste generation patterns and citizen knowledge, thus enabling municipal bodies to craft more responsive and effective waste strategies. This paper calls for integrating behavioral insights into waste management reforms to improve urban resilience and ecological sustainability.},
        keywords = {Urban waste management, environmental awareness, landfill impact, epidemic causes, resource recovery, Udaipur},
        month = {August},
        }