†To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: Introduction
The world is currently facing a significant solid waste management problem, particularly in developing countries. According to Ghosh and Sreekrishnan (2020), the total amount of solid waste generated worldwide is expected to increase from 2.01 billion tons in 2016 to 3.40 billion tons by 2050. The majority of this waste is generated in developing countries, where the lack of proper waste management infrastructure, inadequate funding, and limited public awareness contribute to the poor state of solid waste management. The solid waste problem has significant environmental and public health implications. Improper waste disposal practices, such as open dumping and burning, contribute to air, water, and soil pollution, as well as the emission of greenhouse gases. In addition, the accumulation of waste in urban and rural areas can lead to the spread of disease, insect infestation, and other health hazards. To address the solid waste problem, there is a need for the government and other stakeholders to invest in proper waste management infrastructure, increase public awareness, and provide adequate funding for waste management activities. In addition, the adoption of sustainable waste management practices, such as waste reduction, reuse, and recycling, can help to minimize the amount of waste generated and reduce the environmental and public health impacts of solid waste.
Lao PDR, like many other developing countries, faces a significant solid waste management problem. According to Phimphanthavong and Khounvilay (2020), Laos generates approximately 1.2 million tons of solid waste each year. However, only 60% of the total waste generated in Laos is collected and disposed of properly. The remaining 40% of waste is often burned illegally or left in open dumpsites, leading to environmental pollution and health hazards. One of the major challenges in addressing the solid waste problem in Laos is the lack of proper waste management infrastructure, most of the waste collection and disposal activities in Laos are carried out by informal waste pickers who use rudimentary tools and equipment. In addition, limited public awareness and inadequate funding also contribute to the poor state of solid waste management in Laos, the solid waste issue in Laos is a significant environmental and public health concern that requires urgent attention. To address this problem, there is a need for the government and other stakeholders to invest in proper waste management infrastructure, increase public awareness, and provide adequate funding for waste management activities. To address this issue, the Lao government has initiated several programs and policies aimed at improving solid waste management in the country. For instance, the government launched the National Solid Waste Management Strategy in 2015, which aims to improve the collection, transportation, and disposal of solid waste across the country (World Bank, 2015).
Luang Prabang is a city located in the north central region of Laos, in Southeast Asia. It is situated at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, and is surrounded by mountains and lush green forests. The city has a rich history and culture, and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 for its well-preserved architecture and traditional way of life. The city has a population of around 55,000 people and is home to a diverse mix of ethnic groups including the Lao Loum, Lao Theung, and Lao Soung. The official language is Lao, but English and French are also widely spoken. Luang Prabang’s economy is largely driven by tourism, with many hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops catering to visitors. The city’s traditional crafts, such as weaving and pottery, are also popular among tourists and locals alike. Overall, Luang Prabang is a fascinating city with a rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, making it a must-visit destination for those traveling to Southeast Asia. Luang Prabang, the ancient capital of Laos, is no exception. The city has a population of approximately 56,000 people and it generates a significant amount of solid waste every day. According to a report published by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in 2018, the city produces around 70 tonnes of solid waste per day, which is expected to increase to 95 tonnes per day by 2025 (ADB, 2018). Solid waste management refers to the process of collecting, transporting, disposing and recycling of waste materials in a safe and efficient manner. Luang Prabang, the capital of Laos People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), is facing significant challenges in managing solid waste due to rapid urbanization and the increasing population. According to the World Bank, the city generates approximately 50 tons of waste per day, and only a quarter of it is properly managed, while the rest is either dumped in open spaces or burned, causing environmental and health hazards (World Bank, 2019). The city authorities have initiated several measures to address the solid waste problem, including the establishment of a landfill site, waste segregation, and recycling programs. The landfill site, located in the outskirts of the city, is designed to accommodate 300 tons of waste per day and has a lifespan of 20 years (Asian Development Bank, 2013). Waste segregation involves separating biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste at the source, which is then collected separately for disposal or recycling. Recycling programs are aimed at reducing waste and promoting the reuse of materials such as plastic, glass, and paper. Despite these efforts, solid waste management in Luang Prabang still faces challenges such as inadequate funding, lack of public awareness, and limited infrastructure. The city authorities are therefore seeking to partner with international organizations and private sector companies to mobilize resources and expertise to address the solid waste problem (World Bank, 2019).
The current garbage problem is a hot problem that countries have to spend a lot of resources and budget to solve this problem. In addition to the problem of bad smell, which is a source of germs, the garbage problem also causes other pollution problems, such as the water pollution problem caused by the waste water leaking from the garbage heap, causing the quality of surface and underground water to deteriorate. In the event that the garbage field catches fire, which will cause air pollution, especially when there is toxic waste mixed with it because there is no proper waste sorting. Solid waste management is a critical issue in Luangprabang city, and its resolution requires collective responsibility from all stakeholders. The government, private sector and citizens must work together to tackle this problem effectively. The author’s interest lies in delving deeper into this topic and uncovering how solid waste is managed and perceived by the people. The investigation aims to identify the root causes and develop sustainable solutions to enhance the solid waste management system in the city.
Methods of Research
1. Population and Sample size
This research uses the format documentary research (documentary research) is a collection of information from academic documents, journals, publications, electronic media research report, thesis dissertations, regulations, orders, documents from government agencies related to solid waste management.
The study’s sample group comprises citizens and business owners and the sample size was determined using Taro Yamane's formula (1973) with a confidence level of 95% and setting the average value at 0.05. Based on the calculation of the Taro Yamane formula, it was determined that 369 samples or 369 questionnaires were required for the study.
To investigate the current state of SWM in Luang Prabang, we conducted a survey of the city's waste management facilities by questionnaire:
Part 1: This section contains a study of the general condition of waste management in Luang Prabang city.
Part 2: The economic and social data of the sample group, which includes gender, age, highest level of education, location of household/business unit, address ownership status, occupation, awareness of information about waste problem, type of waste of family/business unit, waste removal rate of household/enterprise, number of times per week to dispose of waste or dispose of waste, and average amount of waste you throw away per month are presented in this section.
Part 3: The level of satisfaction and needs of the people for the management and disposal of waste in the capital city of Prabang, Luang Prabang province, which includes 5 aspects: physical aspect, reliability aspect, response aspect, confidence aspect, and care and attention aspect, are presented in this section.
2. Statistical tools
1) Percentage is a statistic used to compare the frequency or number required with the frequency or total number compared to 100 which has the following formula:
2) Mean is the average value of the data that is the importance level of internal factors, external factors and the level of creating a competitive advantage of the entrepreneur, which has the following formula:
3) Standard deviation is a measurement of the distribution of data which is the level of importance which has the following calculation formula:
4) The t-test is a statistical test that is used to compare the means of two independent groups. It is a parametric test, which means that it assumes that the data is normally distributed. The t-test can be used to test two types of hypotheses (Pallant, 2016): ① Null hypothesis: There is no significant difference in the means of the two groups. ② Alternative hypothesis: There is a significant difference in the means of the two groups. The t-statistic is a measure of the difference between the means of the two groups, divided by the standard error of the difference. The researcher then compares the t-statistic to a critical value from a t-distribution. If the t-statistic is greater than the critical value, then the researcher rejects the null hypothesis and concludes that there is a significant difference in the means of the two groups. Assumptions of the t-test: The t-test has a number of assumptions that must be met in order for the results to be valid. These assumptions are as follows: the data is normally distributed, the variances of the two groups are equal (homoscedasticity), the two groups are independent.
3. Data Analysis
Quantitative data collected through the household survey was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages. Qualitative data from open-ended questions was analyzed using content analysis to identify common themes.
Part 1: This section contains a qualitative data analysis by studying data, methods, processes, and legislation related to services in the management and waste disposal of the City Administration Office, Phap Bang, Luang Prabang Province.
Part 2: The analysis of economic and social data of households or entrepreneurs in the capital city of Prabang, Luang Prabang province, is a quantitative analysis using descriptive statistics, which includes frequency and percentage.
Part 3: The analysis of the level of satisfaction and needs of people in terms of service quality in the management and disposal of city services provided by the city service office in the city of Luang Prabang, Luang Prabang Province, is a quantitative analysis using descriptive statistics, which includes frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. In this section, the author compared the satisfaction of those who live in the World Heritage area and those who live in non-World Heritage areas, as well as the satisfaction of those who are aware of the solid waste issue and those who are unaware of it, with the waste collection service in Luang Prabang city. The author used the following hypothesis to study whether the two groups differ in their level of satisfaction with the city's garbage collection service:
H1: Those who live in the World Heritage area and nonWorld Heritage areas are not significantly different in their satisfaction with the waste collection service in Luang Prabang city.
H2: Those who are aware of the solid waste issue and those who are unaware are not significantly different in their satisfaction with the waste collection service in Luang Prabang city
4. Scoring criteria
In the questionnaire, a score of 1 to 5 has been set to evaluate the level of importance according to the scoring criteria with 5 options of Linkert Scale, which are as follows: Score 5 strongly satisfied, score 4 Satisfied, score 3 neither satisfied nor dissatisfied or moderate, score 2 dissatisfied and score 1 Strongly dissatisfied.
Literatuer Reviews
1. The concept of waste management
1) How to manage waste or solid waste: Waste encompasses various discarded items such as pulp, paper scraps, fabric scraps, food scraps, product scraps, plastic bags, food containers, ashes, dirt, animal remains, and other materials collected from market streets or waste storage areas. Additionally, waste refers to any human-made materials produced in an organization's activities that are canceled or not reusable (Phayap, 2006). However, except for human excrement (Narongana, 1987), waste is generally non-degradable
2) The Necessity of of waste management: Garbage is the primary cause of environmental pollution, which adversely affects human health in the following ways: 1) It causes pollution to the environment, including water pollution, soil pollution, air pollution, and others. 2) Garbage is a breeding ground for germs and insects, which can cause various diseases. Improperly managed waste provides a breeding place for disease-causing insects such as flies, cockroaches, and rats. 3) A community without proper waste management based on sanitary principles is at risk of various gastrointestinal diseases. 4) Improper waste disposal results in economic losses such as the dumping of waste into rivers and canals, causing damage to natural resources like aquatic animals. 5) Proper garbage collection and sanitation principles help create a beautiful and orderly community, showcasing its prosperity and good culture. 6) Public garbage is the most common cause of nuisances, including foul odors caused by rotting or wet garbage. In conclusion, proper waste management is essential to ensure a healthy and sustainable environment, prevent the spread of diseases, and promote economic growth.
3) Concepts of waste management and waste disposal: refer to the principles and operations involved in controlling and disposing of waste, including collection, transportation, and transformation to obtain benefits from waste. These principles prioritize hygiene, cleanliness, environmental conservation, and societal acceptance of effective waste management. Waste management requires expertise from various fields such as administration, finance, law, planning, engineering, public health, and society. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE, 2020) identifies four important steps in waste management, which include: (1) waste generation, (2) storage, (3) collection and transportation and (4) treatment and disposal.
- Step 1: The collection system begins at the use phase and involves gathering garbage from various sources and placing it into a vehicle for transportation to a designated location or for alternative purposes.
- Step 2: Transportation involves moving the collected garbage from the community to a waste restriction site or transferring it to a waste transfer site to gather larger amounts of garbage or transporting it to the waste restriction site.
- Step 3: Consolidation is the process of facilitating garbage collection for transportation to other uses or disposal. This process may include compacting and selecting useful parts of the garbage.
- Step 4: Disposal or destruction is the final step in waste management. It ensures that waste does not pollute the environment, negatively impact human health, or wellbeing.
The best solid waste management (SWM) method depends on a number of factors, including the specific characteristics of the waste stream, the available resources, and the local environmental and social conditions (APWA, 2016). However, there are some general principles that can be applied to improve SWM in any context (WHO, 2012).
- Reduce waste generation: The best way to manage solid waste is to reduce the amount of waste generated in the first place. This can be done through a variety of measures, such as: 1) Promoting waste prevention: This includes encouraging consumers to choose products that are durable, reusable, and repairable. 2) Supporting product design for the environment: This involves designing products that minimize waste generation and facilitate recycling and composting.3) Encouraging businesses to adopt waste reduction practices: This includes encouraging businesses to use recycled materials in their products and to reduce packaging waste.
- Recycle and compost: Recycling and composting are important ways to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfills. Recycling involves converting waste materials into new materials and products. Composting involves the decomposition of organic waste materials into a nutrient-rich soil amendment.
- Landfill disposal: Landfill disposal is the least desirable SWM method, but it is still necessary for some types of waste, such as hazardous waste and non-recyclable waste. Landfills should be properly designed and operated to minimize the environmental and public health impacts.
2. Three Rs Systems
Reducing the amount of waste using the 3Rs principle is an important way to effectively manage waste. The implementation of this principle is as follows: 1) Reduce: This involves changing the habit of creating a lot of garbage every day. The focus is on reducing the amount of waste generated daily. For example, instead of creating two baskets of garbage a day, aim to reduce it to half a basket or one basket a day, and strive to make it as small as possible. 2) Reuse: This involves utilizing various products for maximum benefit and cost-effectiveness until they can no longer be reused. For instance, one can reuse single-page paper, plastic bags from shopping at the market, and support products that can be used multiple times. 3) Recycle: This principle involves collecting or donating materials back to factories for re-production. Materials such as paper, glass, plastic, steel, and aluminum can be brought back to change the form of use through craft and industrial processes. Apart from reducing the amount of garbage, this principle also reduces energy use and toxic pollution to the environment. One can achieve this by separating each type of waste, such as glass, paper, plastic, and metal, to be sold or donated.
3. Garbage collection and disposal system
According to the Guidelines on Waste Management and Disposal, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, 2020. The current garbage collection system is based on the amount of garbage generated, the ease of access to the collection point and the distribution of the collection point in the area, which is generally divided into the following systems:
1) The Hauled Container System is a waste management method used to collect garbage from large containers or containers using vehicles designed to be used together. The system involves transporting the garbage to a transfer station or disposal site and bringing the container back to the old or new place. There are two methods of collecting garbage: conventional mode and exchange container mode (Gawande et al., 2008).
2) The Stationary Container System is suitable for areas with a small amount of garbage at each point or where the collection points are scattered (Gawande et al., 2008).
3) The garbage collection cycle is important to evaluate the total cost of collecting garbage. The frequency of hair collection should take into account the nature of the waste, the size of the area or capacity of the container, climatic conditions, and the duration of hair collection, as well as the nature of people’s activities.
4. The concepts about satisfaction
1) The meaning of satisfaction
Kotler (1994) defined customer satisfaction as the post-purchase feeling of an individual as a result of comparing the perceived performance of the service provider or product with their expectations. If the obtained result is lower than the customer's expectation, they will be dissatisfied. If the obtained result matches the customer's expectation, they will be satisfied. And if the obtained result is higher than the customer's expectation, they will be delighted. Wolman (1973) defined satisfaction as a feeling of happiness when people achieve their goals, needs, or motivations. Maynard W. Shelly (1975) studied the concept of satisfaction and concluded that it is a feeling that can be divided into two types: positive and negative. Positive feelings are those that cause happiness. Happiness is different from other positive feelings, such as excitement or contentment. Negative feelings are the opposite of positive feelings. Negative and positive feelings are intricately related, and the relationship between these two feelings is called the satisfaction system.
In addition, there are several research paper identified five factors that contribute to customer satisfaction: 1) Physical aspects refer to the tangible elements of the service experience, such as the appearance of the facilities, the cleanliness of the environment, and the availability of resources. For example, in the context of waste management and disposal, physical aspects could include: The cleanliness of the waste collection trucks and bins and the appearance of the waste disposal facilities. (Kotler and Armstrong, 2023). 2) Level of care/attention refers to the way that employees interact with customers. For example, in the context of waste management and disposal, level of care/attention could include: The politeness and helpfulness of waste collection workers, the responsiveness of customer service representatives to customer inquiries, the willingness of employees to go the extra mile to help customers (Zeithaml, 1990). 3) Performance of duties refers to the ability of employees to complete their tasks effectively and efficiently. For example, in the context of waste management and disposal, performance of duties could include: The timeliness and accuracy of waste collection, the proper disposal of waste materials and the maintenance of safe and efficient waste disposal facilities (Parasuraman et al., 1985). 4) Confidence refers to the customer's belief in the ability of the service provider to deliver on their promises. For example, in the context of waste management and disposal, confidence could include: The customer's trust that their waste will be disposed of properly, the customer's belief that the service provider is committed to environmental protection and the customer's confidence in the service provider's ability to handle any problems that may arise (Morgan and Hunt, 1994). 5) Reliability refers to the ability of the service provider to deliver the service as promised and on time. For example, in the context of waste management and disposal, reliability could include: The consistency of waste collection schedules, the ability of the service provider to meet deadlines for waste disposal projects and the ability of the service provider to deliver on their promises to customers (Crosby, 1979).
Findings and Discussions
1. Findings
1.1 To investigate the current state of solid waste management (SWM) in the capital city of Luang Prabang
1) The state of solid waste in Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang, the capital city of Luang Prabang province, has 115 villages, but only 84 have access to waste management services. The remaining 31 villages do not yet have a proper waste management system in place. Out of the 84 villages with access to waste management services, a total of 13,246 households (2019 data) participates in the city's waste collection and disposal program. The Luang Prabang Urban Service Office is responsible for waste collection services in 42 villages within Luang Prabang City, while the Saynamkhan Clean Company, a private company that operates under government supervision, is responsible for waste collection services in the remaining 42 villages.
The management and disposal of waste in the capital city of Prabang is the duty of the service city office This office is responsible for solving the problem of waste service in order to be responsible in line with the public sector and guarantee the quality of service. The office is also responsible for developing a modern waste payment service system in Luang Prabang province, where the urban service office collects waste service fees from villages, hotels, and business units on a regular and monthly basis. This is especially important in the villages under the responsibility of 42 villages, within the scope. In 2022, a total of 11,767.06 tons of waste were transported to the field (a total of 4,454 trips). the waste of the government sector was responsible for 4,817 tons (1,823 trips), Namkhan Clean Company’s waste truck was 6,095,27 tons (1,514 trips), non-owner waste (public waste) was 114.67 tons (113 trips), emergency waste was 25.7 tons (338 trips), market waste and others were 663.28 tons (501 trips), and 217.28 tons of waste from hotels and guesthouses (190 trips). (Luang Prabang Capital, 2022).
LuangPrabang city service office reported in 2022, It shows the amount of solid waste collected in a city each month from January to December 2022. The highest amount of solid waste was collected in March (1,859.96 tons), followed by May (1,716.03 tons) and June (1,702.41 tons). The lowest amount of solid waste was collected in February (1,561.37 tons) and August (2,138.77 tons). The average amount of solid waste collected per month was 1,853.24 tons. The total amount of solid waste collected in 2022 was 22,238.88 tons. The average amount of solid waste collected per month was 1,853.24 tons. The total amount of solid waste collected in 2022 was 22,238.88 tons.
According to Luang Prabang City Service Office’s report in 2022, there are totally 22,238.88 Ton, According to Figure 2 shows each monthly such as January: The amount of solid waste collected in January was 1,684.86 tons. This is the lowest amount of solid waste collected in any month. The decrease in solid waste collection from December to January. February: The amount of solid waste collected in February was 1,561.37 tons, a decrease of 7.33 percent from January. The decrease in solid waste collection from January to February. March: The amount of solid waste collected in March was 1,859.96 tons, an increase of 19.12 percent from February. This is the highest amount of solid waste collected in any month. The increase in solid waste collection from February to March. April: The amount of solid waste collected in April was 1,628.72 tons, a decrease of 12.43 percent from March. This is the third lowest amount of solid waste collected in any month. The decrease in solid waste collection from March to April. May: The amount of solid waste collected in May was 1,716.03 tons, an increase of 5.36 percent from April. This is the fourth highest amount of solid waste collected in any month. The increase in solid waste collection from April to May. June: The amount of solid waste collected in June was 1,702.41 tons, a decrease of 0.79 percent from May. This is the fifth highest amount of solid waste collected in any month. The decrease in solid waste collection from May to June. July: The amount of solid waste collected in July was 1,629.89 tons, a decrease of 7.52 tons from June. This is the sixth highest amount of solid waste collected in any month. The decrease in solid waste collection from June to July. August: The amount of solid waste collected in August was 2,138.77 tons, an increase of 4.26 tons from July. This is the seventh highest amount of solid waste collected in any month. The increase in solid waste collection from July to August. September: The amount of solid waste collected in September was 2,022.15 tons, a decrease of 31.22 tons from August. This is the eighth highest amount of solid waste collected in any month. The decrease in solid waste collection from August to September. October: The amount of solid waste collected in October was 2,149.48 tons, an increase of 6.30 tons from September. This is the ninth highest amount of solid waste collected in any month. The increase in solid waste collection from September to October . November: The amount of solid waste collected in November was 2,021.31 tons, a decrease of 5.96 tons from October. This is the tenth highest amount of solid waste collected in any month. The decrease in solid waste collection from October to November. And December: The amount of solid waste collected in December was 1,853.24 tons, a decrease of 5.08 tons from November. This is the lowest amount of solid waste collected in any month. The decrease in solid waste collection from November to December.
For the composition of waste in the city of Prabang, food waste or organic waste covers 39 percent of the total waste, followed by wood waste 30 percent, paper 6 percent, plastic 8 percent, metal 1 percent, rubber 1 percent, glass 2 percent, stone 4 percent, cloth 4 percent, and other types 5 percent which indicates that there is a lot of food waste. Organic or composting as well as reducing waste management at the destination (State of Pollution Lunag Prabang Province, 2020).
2) Solid waste management (SWM) process in the city of Luang Prabang
The garbage collection and transportation system comprises 19 vehicles, and the garbage collection cycle occurs twice a week. At the Luang Prabang City Service Office, the garbage collection process involves first collecting waste from residential and commercial areas before disposing of it at designated landfills.
First process is collection: Waste is collected from households, businesses, and other sources by municipal waste collectors. The waste is collected in either open trucks or closed containers. Second process is transportation: The collected waste is transported to a waste disposal site. The transportation method depends on the distance to the disposal site. Last process disposal: The waste is disposed of in a landfill, an incinerator, or a composting facility. The disposal method depends on the type of waste and the environmental regulations.
As we are already aware, the aforementioned process is a basic procedure for garbage removal within the city. However, due to the absence of a segregation process prior to dumping the waste in the landfill, it may result in short-term and long-term consequences. For instance, as reported by the city administration office, the amount of garbage being disposed in the landfill is increasing each day, causing it to rise to a height of 2 meters above the ground level. Moreover, the noxious odor emitted from the landfill spreads throughout the vicinity, posing a severe environmental threat to nature, human beings and animals alike.
3) Problems and challenges in waste management
The waste management situation and waste generation statistics have become increasingly challenging in areas experiencing economic growth, such as industrial plants, hotels, restaurants, and entrepreneurial ventures. The rise in waste generation poses a significant problem. The management and disposal of waste in some villages within Luang Prabang city lack specific regulations, including law enforcement, and suffer from inadequate budget allocation for administration and vehicles. The current waste management system remains inadequate, with most waste management facilities lacking basic infrastructure such as offices, employees, fences, or shutters. This results in improper waste disposal practices, including night dumping and the use of private vehicles. The predominant method of waste disposal remains open dumping. Some areas only serve as temporary garbage disposal sites due to a lack of permanent waste management facilities or because they are scheduled for redevelopment. In these areas, waste management services remain limited and participation from individuals, households, family businesses, shops, and entrepreneurs is not yet widespread. For instance, some people and entrepreneurs dispose of their garbage carelessly in public areas, such as along roadsides, empty lots, ditches, and other places, instead of making arrangements with the city administration office for garbage collection and disposal. Furthermore, there is a lack of management and regulation of individuals collecting waste in these areas. In contrast, in neighboring cities, there are companies or individuals under the Office of Natural Resources and Environment, as well as the city and its related areas, who are responsible for waste collection.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE, 2020) reports that the main reason for the current increase in the amount of garbage in Laung Prabang Province is due to the following causes of waste:Waste collection services are not done well due to insufficient equipment and lack of workers;
• There is no establishment of waste disposal facilities and no proper operation;
• There is no sorting of garbage before disposal;
• Some households do not use garbage collection services (the reason is because some people still burn garbage and throw it carelessly);
• There is no continuous awareness raising and people do not participate and do not cooperate as they should; Enforcement of laws and regulations including monitoring of the sector is not strict; Encouraging the private sector to invest in the development of standardized landfills, incinerators, recycling, waste collection services, transportation and waste management is not as good as it should be.
Solid waste management (SWM) in the capital city of Luang Prabang is a major challenge. The city generates about 200 tons of solid waste per day, but only about 50% of it is collected. The remaining waste is dumped in open landfills or burned in the streets, causing environmental and health problems. The main challenges facing SWM in Luang Prabang are:
• Lack of funding: The government of Luang Prabang does not have enough money to invest in SWM infrastructure and services. In 2019, the government allocated only $1 million to SWM, which is not enough to cover the cost of collecting, transporting, and disposing of all the waste generated in the city. In 2022, the Luang Prabang Urban Service Office received a budget of approximately 10 billion Lao kip (approximately $2.4 million USD) for solid waste management. This budget covers the costs of waste collection, transportation, and disposal, as well as the salaries of sanitation workers.
• Lack of awareness: Many people in Luang Prabang are not aware of the importance of proper waste disposal. They may not know how to separate their waste or where to dispose of it properly. The government has started to raise awareness of SWM through public education campaigns, but more needs to be done. According to a 2022 study by the Luang Prabang Urban Service Office, 45% of respondents in Luang Prabang reported that they were not aware of the city's waste management services. This lack of awareness is a major challenge to improving waste management in the city.
• Poor waste collection and disposal practices: The waste collection system in Luang Prabang is inefficient. There are not enough trucks to collect all the waste, and the trucks that are available are often not well-maintained. The waste disposal methods are also not environmentally friendly. Most of the waste is dumped in open landfills, which pollutes the air and water. The research by Vongsa and Xayavong (2022) confirms that Luang Prabang has poor waste collection and disposal practices. This is a major environmental and public health problem. The study recommends a number of specific measures that could be taken to improve waste management in the city.
Although Luang Prabang faces several problems, the government has still taken some steps to improve solid waste management (SWM), such as constructing new landfills and promoting recycling. However, more needs to be done to address the challenges facing SWM in the city. The government of Luang Prabang is working to address these challenges. In 2020, the government launched a new SWM program with the support of the World Bank. The program includes a number of initiatives, such as: 1) Expanding the waste collection system to cover all of the city. 2) Improving the efficiency of the waste collection trucks. 3) Promoting recycling and composting and 4) Closing the open landfills and constructing new sanitary landfills.
1.2 To investigate the satisfaction and needs of people regarding solid waste management (SWM) in the Luang Prabang
The results of the study showed that 369 people responded to the questionnaire in the capital city of Prabang, with most of them being women. 196 of them accounted for 53.12%, while 173 males accounted for 46.88%.
The study found that 125 people were between the ages of 31 and 40, accounting for 33.88%. Additionally, there were 92 people between the ages of 41 and 50 years old, accounting for 24.93%. Moreover, there were 84 people between the ages of 21 and 30 years old, accounting for 22.76%. Under 20 years old, there were 50 people accounting for 13.55%. Lastly, the least number of people were over 50 years old, with 18 people accounting for 4.88%.
The study also found that there were 199 married people, accounting for 53.93%. This was followed by 159 single people, accounting for 43.09%, 4 people who were divorced and separated, accounting for 1.08%, and 3 people who were widowed, accounting for 0.81%.
Most of the respondents held the highest level of education, with 181 people accounting for 49.05%. 92 people held a high school degree, accounting for 24.93%. 46 people held a master's degree, accounting for 12.47%, 23 people held a middle-class education, accounting for 6.23%, and 14 people had a general education, accounting for 3.79%. Additionally, 11 people held a first-class education, accounting for 2.98%, and 2 people held a doctorate, accounting for 0.54%.
Furthermore, the study found that most of the respondents had their household/business units outside the heritage area, with 197 people accounting for 53.39%. In contrast, 172 households/business units were located within the heritage area, accounting for 46.61%.
Regarding the respondents' place of residence, most of them used the Prabang capital, with 286 people accounting for 77.51%. 67 people used restaurants/guesthouses/hotels, accounting for 18.16%. 6 people used places in household industry and offices/companies, accounting for 1.63% each. Lastly, the least number of people used places for other activities, with only 4 people accounting for 1.08%.
Regarding occupations, most of the respondents were government employees, with 134 people accounting for 36.31%. This was followed by 118 traders, accounting for 31.98%. Moreover, 41 private employees, 12 farmers, and 5 laborers accounted for 11.11%, 3.25%, and 1.36%, respectively. The remaining 59 respondents had other occupations accounting for 15.99%.
Regarding awareness about the waste problem, the study found that most of the respondents were aware of the issue, with 295 people accounting for 79.95%. However, 74 people, accounting for 20.05%, were unaware of the problem.
There are mostly types of waste disposal in the first 3 places. The first place is plastic/foam with 335 people, 90.79%. The second place is glass with 322 people, 87.26%, and the third place is paper with 308 people, 83.47%. As for the category of food waste/wood products, there are 84 people, 22.76%, cloth category has 28 people, 7.59%, and the metal category has 26 people, 7.05%.
In general, there are 262 people, 71.00%, who dispose of waste by throwing it in the municipal waste trucks or public waste places, followed by throwing it in public waste bins or places far from their homes, with 59 people, 15.99%, and 48 people, 13.01%.
In general, there are 288 people who throw away or dispose of waste twice a week, 78.05%, followed by 1 time a week, with 49 people, 13.28%, 3 times a week with 24 people, 6.50%, and 4 times a week with 8 people, 2.17%.
Most of the survey respondents have an average of 41-60 Kg per month with 121 people, 32.79%, followed by 21-40 Kg with 104 people, 28.18%, 74 people with more than 100 Kg, 20.05%, 37 people with 81-100 Kg, 10.03%, amount 61-80 Kg with 28 people, 7.59%, and the least amount of waste they throw away on average per month is not more than 20 Kg, with 5 people, 1.36%.
In conclusion, the satisfaction level of people regarding the quality of service in managing and disposing of urban waste in the city of Prabang is moderate, with an average value of 3.06 and a standard deviation of 0.50. The ranking of the average value, in descending order, is as follows:
1) Physical aspects - moderate satisfaction level with an average value of 3.26 and a standard deviation of 0.63. This is due to the adequacy of service staff, including waste collectors, waste trucks, the condition of trucks used for waste collection, and the sufficiency of waste disposal points. Public relations in waste management also contribute to the moderate level of satisfaction.
2) Level of care/attention - moderate satisfaction level with an average value of 3.24 and a standard deviation of 0.59. This is due to waste collectors using language that is easily understood, sufficient number of days for waste collection, and the city service office paying attention to waste collection. The performance of waste collectors without causing disturbance or noise, as well as the convenience of waste disposal points that do not disturb people's lives, also contribute to the moderate level of satisfaction.
3) Performance of duties - moderate satisfaction level with an average value of 3.21 and a standard deviation of 0.76. This is due to employees being willing and happy to serve, collecting waste quickly, notifying the public and operators in advance regarding waste collection, and providing immediate service when asked.
4) Confidence - moderate satisfaction level with an average value of 2.95 and a standard deviation of 0.66. This is due to waste collectors being able to collect each type of waste correctly and in an orderly manner, having knowledge of waste collection, and being polite and friendly when contacted.
5) Reliability - moderate satisfaction level with an average value of 2.62 and a standard deviation of 0.86. This is due to waste collection staff collecting all waste without any residue, consistently coming to collect rubbish on time, and immediately solving problems such as when someone throws rubbish in an inappropriate place.
The needs of the people in terms of service quality in the management and disposal of waste at the urban service office in Prabang have many requirements compared to the current situation. These include: (1) the need for waste sorting bins at villages or important places, with 4 points per village or 5 waste places in the village per village, (2) the need to increase waste collection staff to 4 people per vehicle, (3) the need to have 4 waste collection vehicles, (4) the need to collect waste 3 times a week on average, (5) the requirement of a reliable and precise waste collection period at 17:00 hours - 8:00 p.m., and the need to collect waste immediately during emergencies such as festivals and weddings, etc. (6) The desire for the service office to respond quickly and collect waste promptly, ( 7) the need to collect waste in an orderly manner to prevent waste water leakage or waste falling on the road, and a requirement that waste collection staff, including service staff, be polite and courteous during coordination time, and (8) the desire for the city service office in Prabang to give concessions to the private sector for waste collection and disposal in full. Additionally, there is a need for training on waste sorting, improvements to the waste truck to prevent fouling during transportation, and improvements to waste trap nets in canals to prevent waste from falling into the river. Communication signs, including various online media, are also required to educate the public on the proper management and disposal of waste.
The results of the study on the satisfaction of the respondents in the World Heritage Areas and non-World Heritage Areas regarding waste management found: People in different areas have different levels of satisfaction with waste management because the p-value (0.061) is higher than the significance level alpha (α). Therefore, we cannot reject the null hypothesis, despite we reject the alternative hypothesis. Since the heritage area is the main tourist area, the waste collection service in the World Heritage area needs more attention.
The results of the study, from the analysis of the satisfaction of those who are aware of the waste problem and those who are not aware of the problem of waste with waste management, found that: Those who are aware of the waste problem and those who are not aware of the waste problem are satisfied with the waste management differently, because the p-value (P=0.491) is greater than the alpha value (α). Therefore, we accept the null hypothesis and reject the alternative hypothesis. Because those who are aware of the waste problem understand the importance of waste management services in the city. As we know, Luang Prabang is beautiful with culture and beautiful places, despite if the environment is not good, it will reduce the charm of the city and may affect the decrease in tourists and the income of the people in Luang Prabang will decrease accordingly.
Discussions
This finding is consistent with research by Vipanee Uchupaj (2018), who studied waste management knowledge and behavior as well as service quality in the Yelong District of Lamphun Province, Thailand. U-chupaj found that people were highly satisfied with service quality, with an average value of 4.25 and a standard deviation of 0.76. The key aspects of service quality in this context were care/attention, formality, reliability, response, and confidence. To improve service quality, the urban service office should provide training for waste collection and service staff, with a focus on meeting the needs of people, building confidence and reliability, and demonstrating care/attention to proper sorting and disposal of waste.
The satisfaction of people regarding solid waste management (SWM) in the Luang Prabang, these findings are consistent with the research of Malai Hoprasert (2013), who studied people’s satisfaction with waste management in Thabma Municipality, Rayong Province, Thailand. Hoprasert identified several aspects of service quality, including equipment and vehicle appearance, waste collection officials' performance and reliability/support, and care/attention to customer needs. Overall, these studies suggest that improving service quality in waste management requires attention to multiple factors, including appearance, responsiveness, reliability, and care/attention to customer needs.
From the study of the needs of people in terms of service quality in the management and waste disposal of the urban service office in the city of Prabang, there are many needs compared to the current situation. These needs include: There is a need for waste sorting bins in villages or important places, with four points per village or five empty places for waste in each village and several needs as more waste collection staff, with four people per vehicle, four waste collection trucks, four waste collection vehicles to collect waste three times a week, for reliable collection periods, with waste collected between 17:00-20:00. Additionally, it is necessary to collect waste immediately when there is an emergency, such as during festivals or weddings, waste collection staff, including service staff, should be polite and courteous during coordination time, the city service office in Prabang should give concessions to the private sector to collect waste and limit waste when full, the waste truck should be improved to avoid fouling when transporting waste, the public relations signs, including online media, about the management and proper disposal of waste are necessary. These needs are in line with the research of Vipanee U-chupaj (2018), who researched the knowledge and behaviour of people's waste management and the quality of service in the waste management of the service of Yelong District, Lamphun Province (Thailand). The results of the research found that people want four waste collectors per car, two waste trucks, two waste collection days per week, nine to ten trash sorting bins in the village, and public relations from the village television. They also want the service organization to organize training on waste segregation.
The findings of this study suggest that people in different areas of Luang Prabang city have different levels of satisfaction with waste management, and that those who are aware of the waste problem are more satisfied with waste management than those who are not aware. These findings are consistent with previous research, which has shown that people who are more aware of environmental issues are more likely to be concerned about waste management and to be satisfied with waste management services when they are of high quality (e.g., Bagočius, 2014; Huang and Hwang, 2019; Nnadi, 2017). For the difference in satisfaction is that people in different areas have different expectations of waste management services. For example, people who live in the World Heritage area, which is a major tourist destination, may expect higher levels of service than people who live in other areas of the city.
The findings of this study suggest that the city government of Luang Prabang should focus on improving waste management services in all areas of the city, with particular attention to the World Heritage area. The city government should also work to raise public awareness about the importance of waste management and to encourage people to participate in waste management programs.
Conclusion
The findings of this study have highlighted the successful collaboration between the Luang Prabang service city office and the Saynamkhan Clean Company (under government supervision) in achieving effective solid waste management in the capital city. The service city office has been responsible for waste collection services in 42 villages and has developed a modern waste payment service system, which collects fees from villages, hotels, and business units on a regular and monthly basis. The monthly data on solid waste collection in 2022 showed that the highest amount of waste was collected in March, May, and June, while the lowest amount was collected in February and August. The average amount of solid waste collected per month was 1,853.24 tons, with the total amount collected in 2022 being 22,238.88 tons. this study has provided useful insights into the current state of solid waste management in Luang Prabang. The successful collaboration between the service city office has led to effective waste management, and the monthly data on waste collection can be used to inform future planning and decision-making in this area. However, further research is needed to investigate other aspects of solid waste management, such as recycling and the impact of waste on the environment and public health.
In conclusion, solid waste management in the capital city of Luang Prabang is a major challenge due to the lack of funding, awareness, and poor waste collection and disposal practices. The government of Luang Prabang has taken some steps to improve the situation, but more needs to be done. The new SWM program launched in 2020 with the support of the World Bank is a step in the right direction, but sustained efforts are required to address the challenges and ensure that the city's solid waste is managed in an environmentally sustainable and socially responsible manner. One suggestion to further improve solid waste management in Luang Prabang could be to introduce a comprehensive recycling program. This could involve educating residents and businesses on the benefits of recycling, providing separate bins for recyclable materials, and establishing partnerships with local recycling facilities. By reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfills, this would not only benefit the environment but also potentially generate revenue through the sale of recycled materials. Additionally, further research could be conducted on the potential health and environmental impacts of solid waste management practices in the city, in order to inform policy decisions and ensure that waste is managed in a way that prioritizes public health and ecological sustainability.
The waste management service in this city has a moderate level of satisfaction among its residents. While there are areas of strength such as the adequacy of service staff and the performance of their duties, there are also areas that need improvement such as confidence and reliability. The level of care and attention given to waste collection is also a contributing factor to the moderate satisfaction level. Overall, there is room for improvement in waste management to increase resident satisfaction. In conclusion, the urban service office in Prabang needs to address several deficiencies in waste management and disposal to meet the needs and expectations of the residents. The recommendations include improving waste collection and disposal services by increasing the number of staff and vehicles, providing waste sorting bins at important locations, and improving the reliability and punctuality of waste collection. The office must also ensure that waste collection is done in an orderly manner to prevent waste leakage and that staff are polite and courteous during coordination time. Additionally, training on waste sorting, improvements to the waste truck, and installation of waste trap nets in canals are necessary to prevent waste from falling into the river. Communication signs and online media should also be used to educate the public on the proper management and disposal of waste. By addressing these needs, the urban service office in Prabang can improve waste management and increase the satisfaction of its residents. It is important that the office takes these recommendations seriously and implements them as soon as possible to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment for the residents of Prabang.
The results of the study on the satisfaction of respondents in World Heritage Areas and non-World Heritage Areas regarding waste management found that people in different areas have different levels of satisfaction with waste management, but the difference is not statistically significant. This means that we cannot conclude that people in one area are more or less satisfied with waste management than people in another area. However, the study also found that there is a statistically significant difference in satisfaction with waste management between those who are aware of the waste problem and those who are not aware of the problem. This means that those who are aware of the waste problem are more likely to be dissatisfied with waste management. This suggests that people who are aware of the waste problem are more likely to have higher expectations for waste management services. It is also possible that those who are aware of the waste problem are more likely to be exposed to negative information about waste management, which may lead them to be more dissatisfied with the service.
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