PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE AND ITS GENERATION RATE IN JAJURA TOWN OF HADIYA ZONE, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

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.