Environmental Risk Assessment Management of Rural Waste in Boyer-Ahmad County (Case Study: Central District)

Alvandizadeh, Kulsoom; Samshipour, Aliakbar; Darban Astana, Alireza; Salmani, Mohammad

doi:10.22111/jneh.2026.52893.2132

Environmental Risk Assessment Management of Rural Waste in Boyer-Ahmad County (Case Study: Central District)

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

¹ Master of Science in Geography of Human-Oriented Hazards, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

² Associate Professor, Department of Human Geography, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

10.22111/jneh.2026.52893.2132

Abstract

This study aims to identify, analyze, and prioritize environmental risks arising from rural waste management in the Central District of Boyer-Ahmad County. The waste management chain was decomposed into four operational stages: (1) household-level storage, (2) storage at communal village sites, (3) transportation to the final disposal site, and (4) ultimate landfilling. Employing an applied, descriptive–analytical design, the research collected primary data through a researcher-developed questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale, administered to a sample of local experts and rural households. Statistical analyses, including independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Duncan’s multiple range test, were performed to compare risk levels across stages and settlements. The findings reveal that the transportation stage exhibits the most critical environmental risk profile, whereas household storage presents the lowest risk. Quantitative estimates showed average daily waste generation of 0.107 kg (wet) and 0.581 kg (dry) per capita. Key environmental threats identified include leachate infiltration into soil and water resources, persistent malodors, mortality of local wildlife, degradation of natural scenery, and uncontained waste dispersal. Spatial mapping further pinpointed Hosseinabad, Sepidar, and Khalafabad as high-priority villages requiring urgent intervention. In light of these results, the paper argues for a fundamental re-engineering of the rural waste management system—one that accounts for topographic and socio-economic heterogeneity, upgrades vehicle fleet and road access for collection routes, institutionalizes participatory education campaigns, and formulates indigenous, village-specific action plans. Such integrated approaches are critical for mitigating ecological damage and fostering long-term environmental resilience in rural landscapes.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Environmental Hazards

References

References [in Persian]

Jamshidi, Alireza; Taghizadeh, F. (2011). Sustainable Urban Solid Waste Management. Annals of Environmental Sciences, 5: 55–59.

References [in English]

Ali, M., Wang, W., Chaudhry, N., & Geng, Y. (2021). Waste management and risk implications in developing countries. Waste Management, 120, 25–38.

Ferronato, N., & Torretta, V. (2019). Waste mismanagement in developing countries: A review of global issues. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 16(6), 1060.

Tchobanoglous, G., Theisen, H., & Vigil, S. A. (2009). Integrated Solid Waste Management: Engineering Principles and Management Issues (2nd ed.). McGraw‑Hill, New York.

Zurbrugg, C., Gfrerer, M., Ashadi, H., Brenner, W., & Kühr, R. (2012). Determinants of sustainability in solid waste management – The Gianyar Waste Recovery Project in Indonesia. Waste Management, 32(11), 2126–2133.

Vinti ,Giovanni and Vaccari, Mentore(2022).Solid Waste Management in Rural Communities of Developing Countries: An Overview of Challenges and Opportunities.Clean Technol. 4, pp 1138-1159.