Social considerations in the recycling of organic wastes

This paper argues that the importance and nature of organic recycling in rural and urban areas in Asia is little understood. Many proposals for large-scale waste recycling are formulated without consideration of the consequences of diverting resources from the use of poorer sections of the community, and stores of traditional knowledge and experience are overlooked. An important aspect of future social research on organic waste recycling should be a study of current practices as the starting point for understanding the role of recycling in communities and the potential for beneficial development. Non-governmental organizations working at the grassroots can be sources of valuable information on community practices and attitudes.