Estimating solid waste generation by hospitality industry during major festivals: A quantification model based on...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Waste Management
• Hospitality Management

Background:

• Major religious festivals in Kerbala, Iraq, generate substantial municipal solid waste (MSW).
• The hospitality sector, particularly hotels, is a significant contributor to MSW during these events.
• Effective waste management is crucial for mitigating environmental and health impacts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the rate of MSW production from hotels in Kerbala during major festivals.
• To identify key hotel features influencing MSW generation.
• To provide data for developing targeted waste management strategies.

Main Methods:

• A field questionnaire survey was conducted with 150 hotels during the Arba'een festival.
• Data collected included hotel size, expenditure, area, and number of staff.
• An on-site audit estimated the mass of MSW generated by participating hotels.

Main Results:

• MSW production from hotels varied significantly, with an average of 0.89 kg of MSW per guest per day.
• Higher-rated hotels produced more waste: 1-star hotels averaged 0.83 kg/guest/day, while 4-star hotels averaged 1.22 kg/guest/day.
• Hotel features significantly influenced MSW production (R²=0.799), with size (Hs) having the greatest impact, followed by expenditure (Hex) and staff numbers (Hst).

Conclusions:

• Hotel characteristics are strong predictors of MSW generation during large-scale religious festivals.
• Waste management strategies should consider hotel rating and size for effective MSW reduction.
• Accurate MSW data is essential for planning sustainable festival management in Kerbala.