Abstract:
Throwing unsorted and untreated municipal solid waste on streets is a threat to human health
and environment in rapidly growing towns. Determining the generation rates and
characterization of physicochemical properties is essential to figure out the adverse effects
solid waste in the environment. The purpose of this study was to characterize physicochemical
properties of municipal solid waste and determination of its generation rate at Jajura Town. In
order to achieve this objective, data was gathered form 141 participants selected from three
kebeles through questionnaire, key informant interviews and field observations. The findings
showed that the main solid waste sources were residential, commercials and institutional areas.
Households’ solid waste generation rate was 0.221 Kg/person/day whereas the daily total solid
waste generation rate of households was 173.42Kg/day (54.94%). In addition to this,
commercial and institutional sources of solid waste generation rateswere104.44 Kg/day
(33.08%) and 37.82 Kg/day (11.98 %).Total daily solid waste generation of the town was about
315.68 kg/day. Physical and chemical composition of municipal solid waste of Jajura town was
suitable for composting purposes. As the finding indicated that Municipal solid waste
management of the town was originating in very low status and spatial coverage. The town
administration should provide the proper primary collection equipment like hand push carts for
solid waste collectors. Greater commitment and better community participation in solid waste
management are required to alleviate the current solid waste management problem in the area.
