Abstract:
It is obvious that proper solid waste management plays a significant role in improving the
environment, public health, and socioeconomic activities of the urban areas. Thus, this
study was conducted with the main objective of assessing major domestic solid waste
management practices and challenge in Chiro town, West Hararghe zone, Oromia region,
Ethiopia. To this end, the study used both primary and secondary data sources. The
primary data were collected via questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussion, and
field observation. Whereas the secondary data were obtained from web sites, various
published and unpublished materials. A cross-sectional study design was employed to
assess the objectives of the study. From the total of 3 kebeles all were selected purposively.
The sample households were proportionally allocated to each kebele and the sample size
of 176 households and 4 interviewees were involved in the study. Thus, the collected data
were presented, organized and discussed using descriptive analysis to summarize the
socio-demographic status of households and multi linear regression model to determine
potential factors for solid waste generation level. Therefore, the findings of the study
revealed that most of the wastes formed in the sample households were peels of vegetables
and the waste generation rate was 0.1375kg/capita/day and 0.5767kg/HH/day. To add, the
identified factors that affect waste generation rate were age, family size, income, and
education level of the households with other factors constant. Besides, in relation to
separation, reuse, method of handling, and disposal activities households were not
practiced properly. Also, according to the results there were lack of awareness,
commitment, responsibility and enforcement of rules and regulations for the existing poor
management of solid waste. Hence, to alleviate such drawbacks it was recommended that
the Municipality and Health office of the town should be engaged on continuous awareness
creation program to improve the practices and participation of households. Similarly,
implementers of rules and regulations should aggressively work to minimize illegal
disposal activities through facilitating communal containers and continuous follow up.
Also, the households should be engaged effectively in practicing alternatives used to
minimize the problems caused by solid waste.
