This study presents the household waste management systems practicing in the rural villages of Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh. The study focussed on waste generation patterns, segregation practices, disposal methods, awareness, and the role of local governance in household waste management. The study adopted a descriptive research design, and data were collected from 66 households in Saripalli and Gurrampalem villages through a structured, pre-tested interview schedule, supported by secondary sources. Findings indicated that women are central to waste-related activities, with 72.7% of respondents being female in this study. Education levels were low, and most households (86.4%) fell below the poverty line. Waste generation was modest, with wet waste dominated by biodegradable material and dry waste comprising plastics and paper. While 76.2% of households relied on waste collectors, 19% continued open dumping. Segregation practices remained weak, with only 13.6% of households consistently segregating waste, and over half lacked separate bins. Awareness of village waste management committees was not functioning, and waste collection frequency and infrastructure were inconsistent. Perceptions of current waste management systems were largely negative, with most respondents rating collection and segregation mechanisms as below average. The study underscores the critical role of women, Panchayats, and green members in promoting waste segregation, composting, and awareness initiatives. The waste segregation units are far away from the villages. The waste collectors segregate the dry waste and sell it for themselves. It reduces the income to the villages and reduces the workload to the waste segregation units. It recommends community-driven strategies such as subsidised bins, awareness campaigns, decentralised composting, improved collection infrastructure, and inclusive participation. The findings highlighted the importance of integrating policy support, gender-sensitive approaches, and local governance mechanisms to enhance rural waste management systems.
