Comparative assessment of municipal solid waste management and community vulnerability in peri-urban India

Municipal solid waste management poses growing environmental and health concerns in India's rapidly developing rural and peri-urban areas. The study examined waste practices and vulnerability in two contrasting villages: Bhatta, an undeveloped peri-urban settlement with no formal waste services, and Puthuppally, where waste is managed by community-led decentralized systems.

The research used a mixed-methods approach, including Participatory Rural Appraisal, surveys of 437 households, waste analysis, statistical analysis, and a vulnerability framework. Bhatta generated more waste per person (about 2.0 kg/day) with stronger income links and less institutional involvement compared to Puthuppally, which exhibited weaker income dependence and stronger service-driven behaviors.

Nearly two-thirds of Bhatta households faced high vulnerability due to exposure and limited adaptive capacity, while Puthuppally's community demonstrated robust adaptive mechanisms and lower sensitivity. The findings stress the need for tailored, decentralized waste management solutions to mitigate rural waste-related risks and enhance institutional resilience.