Youth-Driven, Community-Engaged Waste Management

Abstract

The waste management process is important in Bangladesh where infectious and non-infectious diseases are common.  In a resource constrained region, community engagement for waste management can add great value. A youth-initiated and engaged approach to collaboration among local communities is presented in this research. This research took place over a one and half year time frame in fifteen urban, suburban, and rural regions, consisting of 55 families and 15 individuals engaged in waste management activity. The youth leaders were eager to make changes, being frustrated at the authority’s inability to solve local pollution. The collaborative teams were able to continue the work through the time period using various technology platforms. The technology leadership of youth enabled a trusted connection among youth and community members. The research work shows promise to increase communication, collaboration, and collective engagement in local problem solving. However, engagement is not gender neutral, and the work presented reflects societal gender-based challenges which requires attention. This work is expected to provide opportunities for low-resource communities towards problem solving using existing technology platforms.