Household waste reduction, reuse and recycling practices among women in Debre Markos Town Ethiopia for sustainable urban waste management

Rapid urbanization and increasing household solid waste generation pose major environmental and public health challenges, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Promoting household waste reduction, reuse, and recycling (3R practices) is essential for achieving sustainable urban waste management and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and the sanitation component of SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). This study assessed the determinants of household 3R practices among women in an urban community setting in Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 systematically selected women in Debre Markos Town, Ethiopia. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with good 3R practices. Adjusted Odds Ratios (AORs) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) were used to determine the strength of associations, and statistical significance was declared at p < 0.05. Only 44.0% (n = 176) of the women demonstrated good household 3R practices, while 56.0% (n = 224) had poor practices. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that women with a college education or higher (AOR = 11.45; 95% CI 4.68, 28.02) and those with secondary education (AOR = 3.10; 95% CI 1.42, 6.78) were significantly more likely to practice household waste reduction, reuse, and recycling than women with no formal education. Women from wealthier households also had significantly higher odds of practicing the 3Rs (AOR = 4.12; 95% CI 2.15, 7.89). In addition, a positive attitude toward household waste management independently increased the likelihood of good 3R practices (AOR = 3.28; 95% CI 1.95, 5.52). More than half of the women had poor household waste reduction, reuse, and recycling practices, indicating a substantial gap in sustainable household waste management. Improving women's education, strengthening socioeconomic conditions, and promoting positive environmental attitudes are critical to enhancing household waste management behaviors. These findings provide evidence to support interventions and policies that advance sustainable urban development, promote responsible consumption and production, reduce environmental pollution, and contribute to achieving SDGs 11 and 12, while supporting the sanitation objectives of SDG 6 through improved household solid waste management.