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. Melka rafu is one of the town by which proper provision of
household solid waste management practice is still unsatisfactory and incomplete. In Melka
rafu, illegal dumping of waste on open areas, street, ditches and river courses is considered as
routine task residents. The efforts made by the municipality to change the situation in the town
are also insufficient as it compared to the extent of the problem. This study aimed at
assessment of practices and challenges of household solid waste management at Melka Rafu
Town. Consequently, To accomplish the objectives descriptive type of research method was
used and both primary and secondary data sources applied for the study. Descriptive research
design was used. The primary data were collected via questionnaires, interview, focus group
discussion and field observations. Whereas the secondary data were extracted from different
published and unpublished materials. The analysis of the study was carried out using
descriptive. A total of 231 respondents were used in the study. The sample size for this study is
determined by using the formula developed by Cochran in terms of their convenience and
simplicity to determine the number of respondents. The total household in the town is 4000
and this considered as the populations of the study which sample size drown and based on
this. There are a total of 9 ketenas in the town and random sampling technique was used to
select ketene from each kebelles. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to
analyze the data. The findings of the study revealed that the main types of HSW in Melka Rafu
Town are food wastes, ash, plastic, paper and cardboard, garden trimmings or leaf. They are
of composed of both biodegradable and non-degradable components. The current HSWM
practice of the town is weak and also there is a problem on solid waste reduction. Residents of
Melka rafu town used a different types of storage materials in their compound which is
bamboo basket and sacks of local name of “ madabera”,plastic containers local name’ festal.
Only solid wastes that are sold to qurales” exchangeable to “liwach” are separated. Most
households who do not use the services of private wastes collectors often prefer to dispose
their wastes in unauthorized (illegal) places at the time of early night and early morning. The
solid waste generation rate of the town was estimated to 37
