A logistic regression model to facilitate setting of organic waste composting policy for sustainable waste management

Landfilling of solid waste is the common waste management (SWM) option currently in use in the southern West Bank of Palestine, which is unsustainable and causing many environmental and health problems. However, composting is an environmentally friendly waste treatment option, but of low interest due to the limited capacity of the service providers and the absence of effective waste management policies. Understanding the challenges faced by local authorities (LAs), the key stakeholders for SWM, and the factors that affect their attitude towards composting of organic waste is a major contributor to the successful setting and implementation of policies related to composting. Therefore, this study aims to assess the capacities of the LAs, the challenges faced by them, and identify the factors affecting the LAs’ attitude towards organic MSW composting in southern West Bank/Palestine, Hebron and Bethlehem governorates, as a prerequisite for setting up a composting policy. For data collection, a structured questionnaire was designed, and the data was collected from all LAs that provide SWM services in the study area. The data analysis showed that 100% of the LAs are suffering from the absence of proper equipment and machinery to conduct composting (the highest challenge), while 22.6% of them are worried about farmers’ acceptance of compost produced from MSW (the lowest challenge). The results also showed that LAs’ perception of compost contribution to SW reduction, availability of proper place, financial capacity, community awareness, and prevalent SWM bylaws are significant predictors of LAs’ attitudes toward composting. Accordingly, setting a composting policy shall consider these influencing factors to ensure the effectiveness of the policy. The results of this study are valid for similar countries and can assist decision-makers in assessing the significant influencing factors. The scientific value added by this research is that the logistic regression modelling (LRM) can be used by other countries as well, as a tool for drafting policies.