Background and purpose: Lack of awareness of people about the future environmental risks posed by wastes is the most important problem of this sector. Awareness, and then cultural education in this area, can be a breakthrough to this significant environmental problem. This study aimed to assess the degree of awareness of the people of the cities of Gorgan, Gonbad, and Aliabad Katool (Iran) in relation to municipal solid waste management. Materials and methods: In this descriptive-periodic study in 2012, a questionnaire with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.78 was used. 550 questionnaires were completed: 200 in different areas of the city of Gorgan, 240 in different areas of the city of Gonbad, and 110 in different areas of the city of Aliabad Katool. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. Results: The awareness of the citizens in the studied cities in the area of waste-related diseases and the waste effect on the environment was satisfactory. The rate of citizens' awareness in the field of recycling and ways of reduction of household waste and the methods of waste disposal was above the average. The awareness in the area of existence of urban recycling organization and its duties was rated weak to average and in the area of compost, it was weak. The performance of citizens in the area of relation of people with urban materials recycling organization and regional municipality regarding solid waste materials was rated very weak to weak and in the area of source waste separation, the performance was rated average. Conclusion: Considering the results obtained, the information of people regarding compost production and existence of urban recycling organization and its duties was low and, it is necessary to provide certain educational programs for increasing public awareness.

Keywords: Awareness, Solid waste, Environment, Gorgan, Gonbad, Aliabad Katool, Iran

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