Pollution and Waste Production in Home-Based Enterprises in Developing Countries: Perceptions and Realities

Abstract

Using mainly qualitative data from a four country case study, this paper describes the nature of home-based enterprises (HBEs) and the wastes that they produce. It finds that most only generate material similar to domestic wastes, but in greater quantities. While some are undoubtedly generating dangerous wastes, they are only a small proportion of all HBEs and tend to be aware of at least some of the problem and take mitigating steps. The paper argues that the encouragement of clean processes should replace the usual negative views about HBEs that are held by policy makers.

Housing and Urban Vulnerability in Rapidly-Developing Cities

“…Embrace the benefits HBEs have to offer and only interfere where environmental considerations are very acute (Tipple, 2005b). Promote maintenance through mass media campaigns, story-lines in television soap operas, etc.…”

“…Promote local building materials industries for routine use in housing and infrastructure supply Co-operate with the local construction and building materials industries to plan ahead for a post-disaster construction and materials supply strategy. Embrace the benefits HBEs have to offer and only interfere where environmental considerations are very acute (Tipple, 2005b). Promote maintenance through mass media campaigns, story-lines in television soap operas, etc.…”

Home-Based Enterprise and Its Impediment Factors to Self-Help House Improvement in Kampong Cikini, Jakarta

“…HBE is an accepted component in the informal sector in rapidly developing cities [22]. It is defined as any business entity engaged in selling products or services operated by a selfemployed person that uses the residential property as a base of their operations [14].…”

“…HBE becomes a source for income generation, especially for slum dwellers in developing countries [18]. It provides employment, income, and services for them [22] with a pool of unskilled and semi-skilled labor and makes underutilized labor produced at a low cost [19]. It also contributes multiplier effect in local economies by providing essential services that better suit the preferences and needs of the community [9], reduce transport costs by offering those goods and services within the settlement [22], develop and strengthen community cohesion and liveliness in the neighborhood [8].…”

“…It provides employment, income, and services for them [22] with a pool of unskilled and semi-skilled labor and makes underutilized labor produced at a low cost [19]. It also contributes multiplier effect in local economies by providing essential services that better suit the preferences and needs of the community [9], reduce transport costs by offering those goods and services within the settlement [22], develop and strengthen community cohesion and liveliness in the neighborhood [8]. Therefore, the house is not just a place for home-life, especially for slum dwellers [3], but it is a place of integration of domestic and economic activities [20].…”