FACTORS AFFECTING DOMESTIC SOLID WASTE GENERATION AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OF HOUSEHOLDS AT ADABA TOWN, WEST ARSI ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Proper solid waste management requires the commitment of the town municipality and the active involvement of the community members. However, many studies were confirmed that there is improper solid waste management in different cities in Ethiopia. Likewise, most of solid wastes generated in Adaba town remain uncollected and simply dumped in open areas, road side, river courses etc. So that the purpose of this study was to assess factors that affect domestic solid waste generation and management practices in Adaba town. The study employed a descriptive survey research design with mixed approach. A total of 350 respondents and 6 key informants were selected using simple random and purposive sampling methods respectively. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods with the help of SPSS 20. The findings revealed from the analyzed data were; the amount of waste generation level was 0.42kg per individual per day and 2598.5 tons per year in the study area, the types of Solid waste generated from higher to the lower amount were plastics, ash, food wastes, glasses & leaves. Moreover, the researcher concluded that the determinants of domestic solid waste management and generation level were: high income level of solid wastes, absence of waste collectors, lack of transport service lack of awareness, lack of knowledge how to separate solid wastes, lack of skill to reuse solid wastes and lack of law enforcement. Furthermore, the Multiple regression output has revealed that the adjusted R2 = 0.835 mean that the independent variables have able to explain the dependent variable by 83.5% at significant level of (p < 0.05) if other factors are in constant. The major challenges identified from sever to mild were institutional, economical and social challenges those affected the proper solid waste management system of the residents of Adaba town.