THE PRACTICE OF HOUSEHOLDS SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT: THE CASE OF WOLISO TOWN, SOUTH WEST SHEWA ZONE, OROMIA NATIONAL REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The ever increasing amount of solid waste generated which is exacerbated by lack of proper waste management system is the concern of countries in the world due to its social, economic, and environmental implications. Woliso town faces problem associated with poor solid waste management practices. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the practice of household’s solid waste management at Woliso town. The study had also specific objectives such as determining the generation rate and physical composition of HH solid waste, the current status of solid waste management practices, the service delivering performance of private solid waste collectors and factors affecting the effectiveness of solid waste management practices at household level in woliso town. Mixed research design basically explanatory method was used. A combination of probability and non probability sampling techniques were employed for population sampling. 359 household heads were involved as sample respondents from two kebeles. Systematic random sampling was used to select the respondents. Both primary and secondary sources were used. The primary data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, field observation and focus group discussions. Whereas, the secondary data were extracted from different published and unpublished materials. The analysis of this study was carried out using both qualitative and quantitative techniques. The findings of this study revealed that the current SWM in Woliso mainly practiced by households and MSEs of the town. These practices include waste collection, transportation and disposal practices. But the provision of these service is not keep in pace with the town solid waste generation. The solid waste generation rate of the town was estimated to 40m3(14575.3 kg or 14.6 tons/day), 437.3 tons/month and 5323.6 tons/year. Though all households have temporary storage in their home, they did not store wastes separately based on its nature. The poor solid waste management prevails in woliso town is a product of various factors. These factors are basically socio-cultural and institutional. Thus it was recommended that the local government should strengthen the enforcement of the laws and regulations and increase budget allocated for solid waste management and also should educate the community on solid waste management. Enough containers and vehicle should be provided in order to practice effective solid waste management in the town.