• First regression-based analysis of socio-behavioral drivers of waste segregation in Hyderabad, a mid-sized Pakistani city.

• Education and awareness emerge as the most significant predictors of household willingness to segregate waste.

• Quantifiable evidence reveals stark income-based inequities in waste disposal methods and municipal service access.

• A critical paradox is identified between high health risk awareness and low willingness to pay for improved services.

• Synthesizes local empirical findings with global models to propose context-specific, sustainable policy interventions.

Solid waste management has emerged as one of the most critical urban challenges facing Hyderabad, Pakistan, where rapid population growth, unplanned urbanization, and inadequate infrastructure have overwhelmed the existing waste management systems. The city generates approximately 1500–2000 metric tons of solid waste daily, yet only about half is properly collected, with the remainder accumulating in streets, vacant plots, and water bodies [1]. This situation creates severe environmental and public health consequences, including groundwater contamination, increased vector-borne diseases, and greenhouse gas emissions from open burning of waste [2]. The problem is further exacerbated by limited public awareness, weak enforcement of regulations, and a lack of proper disposal facilities [3]. However, these challenges also present significant opportunities to implement sustainable waste management solutions that can transform Hyderabad into a cleaner, healthier, and more resource-efficient city. Examining successful models from developed nations reveals valuable lessons for Hyderabad. Sweden’s integrated waste management system, which combines advanced recycling with waste-to-energy conversion, has enabled the country to divert over 99% of household waste from landfills [4]. Similarly, Germany’s “Green Dot” system has achieved remarkable success by making producers financially responsible for the recycling of their packaging materials, resulting in recycling rates exceeding 70% for most materials [5]. Japan’s meticulous waste segregation system, supported by strong community participation and strict enforcement, has made cities like Tokyo global leaders in waste management efficiency [6]. These international examples demonstrate that effective waste management requires a combination of technological solutions, policy frameworks, economic instruments, and public engagement—all areas where Hyderabad currently faces significant gaps.

Comparative international experiences indicate that no single waste management model is universally effective; instead, each presents distinct advantages and limitations[7]. Sweden’s integrated system, which combines high recycling rates with waste-to-energy conversion, has nearly eliminated landfilling, but critics point out the potential environmental trade-offs of incineration and the heavy infrastructure costs required for implementation [8]. Germany’s “Green Dot” program, which makes producers financially responsible for packaging waste, has successfully reduced landfilling and achieved recycling rates exceeding 70%, yet the system remains dependent on continuous regulatory enforcement and can be burdensome for smaller businesses [9]. Japan’s approach, centered on meticulous waste segregation and strong community participation, has achieved global recognition for efficiency, though it requires intensive public compliance, strict enforcement, and a robust institutional framework that can be challenging to replicate in developing contexts [10]. Recent advances in sustainable waste management technologies have further expanded the options available: novel materials and processing methods now enable higher-value recovery and reduced environmental impact, though scalability and affordability remain critical challenges for cities in the Global South [11].

Despite these advances globally, empirical evidence from mid-sized cities in developing countries remains limited, particularly in Pakistan, where urban centers such as Hyderabad face rapid population growth, infrastructural strain, and governance challenges. Most existing studies in Pakistan focus on descriptive assessments of municipal inefficiencies [12]; however, few employ rigorous quantitative modeling to examine the behavioral determinants of waste management practices or to systematically compare local outcomes with global best practices [13]. This study aims to bridge this gap by presenting the first regression-based analysis of household waste management behaviors in Hyderabad, complemented by contextual comparisons with international models. In doing so, the study contributes both methodologically by employing binary logistic regression to identify key predictors of waste segregation, and substantively by situating Hyderabad’s challenges within the broader discourse on sustainable urban transitions. The findings aim to inform policymakers, practitioners, and scholars by providing empirically grounded, context-specific insights that can guide both local reforms and comparative discussions of sustainable waste management in developing regions.

Solid waste management is not only a municipal challenge but also a core component of global sustainability agendas. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) provide a guiding framework that directly relates to this study. Effective waste management advances SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by ensuring cleaner and healthier urban environments [14], supports SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) through waste reduction, recycling, and resource efficiency [15], and contributes to SDG 13 (Climate Action) by reducing methane emissions from landfills and curbing open burning [16]. In the context of Pakistan, where urban areas such as Hyderabad are expanding rapidly, aligning SWM strategies with the UNSDGs is essential for both environmental protection and human well-being. By explicitly framing SWM as a sustainability imperative, this study contributes to global discussions on how cities in developing countries can advance the UNSDGs while addressing local infrastructural and governance challenges.

The survey collected responses from 385 residents across Hyderabad, revealing key socioeconomic patterns that influence waste management behaviors, as summarized in Table 1. Male respondents constituted 61.8% of participants, reflecting cultural norms in survey participation while potentially underrepresenting female perspectives on household waste practices. The age distribution indicated that 43.6% of respondents were between 31 and 45 years old, representing the primary decision-makers in household waste disposal. Educational attainment varied significantly, with 48.6% having primary or secondary education and 39.7% holding graduate degrees, indicating differing levels of environmental awareness across the population. Perhaps most notably, 54.5% of respondents reported monthly incomes below PKR 20,000, highlighting the economic constraints that shape waste management choices for the majority of Hyderabad’s residents. These demographic characteristics are crucial for understanding how different population segments interact with waste systems and which groups may require targeted interventions.

The findings of this study present a critical examination of solid waste management (SWM) challenges in Hyderabad, while drawing important lessons from successful international models. The logistic regression analysis identified education and awareness as key determinants of willingness to segregate waste, with graduates exhibiting 2.86 times higher odds of participation. This aligns with Japan’s meticulous waste segregation system, where sustained public education campaigns and strict enforcement have achieved remarkable compliance rates [17]. However, Hyderabad’s stark generational gap in environmental attitudes—with older residents less willing to segregate—contrasts sharply with Sweden’s intergenerational approach that incorporates age-specific messaging in its national recycling program [18]. The socioeconomic disparities in waste disposal methods expose systemic inequities in service provision. Low-income households’ reliance on open dumping (38.1%) mirrors challenges faced by Bangkok in the early 2000s, before Thailand implemented its “Polluter Pays” policy and expanded municipal collection to informal settlements[19]. The uniformly low recycling rates across income groups (3.3–7.6%) highlight infrastructure gaps similar to those Johannesburg addressed through its integrated waste picker incorporation program, which formalized 2000 informal recyclers into the city’s SWM system [20]. The paradox between high health risk awareness (73.5%) and low willingness to pay for improvements (23.9%) reflects a governance crisis comparable to Delhi’s pre-2010 situation [21]. India’s capital addressed this challenge through transparent billing systems and visible service improvements, as documented in the Delhi Municipal Corporation’s 2015 reform report [22]. Hyderabad’s waste composition profile, dominated by organic (43.3%) and plastic waste (22.8%), presents opportunities to adapt proven solutions: Seoul’s food waste reduction program cut organic waste by 30% through mandatory biodegradable bags [23], while Rwanda’s plastic ban demonstrates the effectiveness of stringent material-specific policies [24].

Hyderabad’s challenges are not unique but reflect shared challenges faced by rapidly urbanizing cities. The crucial differentiator lies in political will and adaptive policymaking—factors that enabled Curitiba to transform from a waste management crisis in the 1980s to a global model today [25]. For Hyderabad, the path forward requires context-sensitive adaptation of these proven strategies, coupled with strong monitoring systems to ensure equitable implementation across socioeconomic groups. Future research should examine the feasibility of implementing these international models in selected Hyderabad neighborhoods, with particular emphasis on cultural acceptability and institutional capacity. Longitudinal studies monitoring behavioral changes would further enhance our understanding of the effectiveness of interventions in the Pakistani context. It is evident that the technical solutions are available; the critical challenge lies in developing governance frameworks and public engagement strategies to implement them effectively. The reliance on open dumping and burning in Hyderabad has implications that extend beyond environmental degradation to severe public health consequences. Open dumping contaminates surface and groundwater sources, creating pathways for waterborne diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, and typhoid, which have historically caused outbreaks in Sindh’s urban and peri-urban settlements. Similarly, stagnant waste sites provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes, increasing the risk of malaria and dengue transmission, while piles of organic waste attract rodents and flies that spread infectious diseases [26]. Open burning of plastics and mixed household waste releases toxic pollutants, including dioxins and fine particulate matter, which are linked to chronic respiratory illnesses, asthma, and even cardiovascular problems. Evidence from comparable contexts, such as Bangladesh, shows that unmanaged waste directly elevates hospital admissions during peak waste accumulation periods [27]. These health hazards highlight that SWM reform in Hyderabad is not solely an environmental or infrastructural concern but also a pressing public health necessity. Addressing waste mismanagement could therefore play a pivotal role in reducing the city’s disease burden and healthcare costs while simultaneously improving quality of life.

This study reveals that solid waste management in Hyderabad is at a critical juncture, where systemic inefficiencies intersect with opportunities for reform. The empirical analysis indicates that education and awareness are the strongest drivers of waste segregation, with graduates and well-informed residents exhibiting significantly higher levels of participation. Income-based disparities remain acute, as low-income households disproportionately resort to open dumping, while municipal collection and recycling services remain unevenly accessible. The predominance of organic (43.3%) and plastic (22.8%) waste in household discards highlights priority areas for intervention; however, public willingness to fund improved services remains low, reflecting deep-seated mistrust in municipal governance.

The contribution of this study lies in combining robust statistical modeling with global comparative insights to illuminate the structural and behavioral dynamics of SWM in a mid-sized Pakistani city. By placing Hyderabad in the context of broader international experiences, the findings demonstrate that technical solutions such as community composting, formalization of the informal sector, and volume-based waste reduction already exist, but their effectiveness depends on context-sensitive adaptation. Policy responses must therefore address not only infrastructure gaps but also social equity and governance reforms to rebuild public confidence.

Moving forward, Hyderabad’s path to sustainable waste management will require phased interventions. First, targeted education campaigns and awareness programs can foster behavioral change across generations. Second, equitable service expansion must prioritize low-income neighborhoods, while policy frameworks incentivize segregation and recycling at the household level. Third, integrating informal recyclers into formal systems will enhance efficiency while also providing dignified livelihood opportunities. Finally, transparent and accountable governance structures are essential for restoring trust and ensuring active citizen participation.

By synthesizing empirical evidence with global lessons, this research contributes to the academic discourse on urban sustainability and provides a practical roadmap for policymakers. The findings reaffirm that while Hyderabad’s challenges are formidable, they also present opportunities for transformative change. With strategic, inclusive, and transparent reforms, the city can transition from a waste management crisis toward a resilient, sustainable urban future, offering a replicable model for other developing regions facing similar constraints.