Urban-rural Disparities in Waste Management Attitudes and Practices among School Students: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

Effective waste management is a critical environmental priority in India, yet students' attitudes and practices remain poorly understood, particularly across contrasting urban–rural contexts. This study examines disparities in waste management attitudes and practices among middle-stage school students in Halol taluka, Gujarat. A descriptive research design was employed, and data were collected from 678 students (Grades 6th – 8th) selected through stratified random sampling from urban (n=335) and rural (n=343) schools. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data from the students. The findings revealed a substantial difference between urban-rural school students in waste management. Urban students displayed more positive attitudes toward waste management (21.53%) compared to rural students (5.89%), while the majority in both groups fell in the neutral category. Practice scores showed even deeper disparities; 70.79% of rural students exhibited poor practices, and none achieved good practice levels. Mean practice scores were consistently higher among urban students across all waste categories. The study concludes that infrastructural access, exposure to environmental programs, interventions, and socio-cultural contexts significantly shape student waste management behaviours. Strengthening environmental education at the middle-school level can bridge the attitude–practice gap and promote long-term sustainable behaviours.