DOMESTIC SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND CHALLENGES: THE CASE OF CHIRO TOWN, WEST HARARGHE ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

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 Whereas the secondary data were obtained from web sites, various published and unpublished materials.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.