Household Solid Waste Generation Rate, Physical Composition and Management Practices at Ginch Town, Ethiopia

Abstract

Solid waste generation rate is becoming a serious issue in the world since it is related with environmental pollution and human health risks. The objective of the study was to assess waste generation, physical composition and management practice of MSW in Ginch town and provide useful information source to fill research gap on solid waste generation status. Primary data were obtained through the application of waste collection, structured questionnaire, as well as through conducting discussions with key informants, focus groups and field observation. Secondary data were obtained from published papers in scientific journals, books, project reports, unpublished materials and maps. A total of 136 sample respondents were identified using simple random sampling technique from three strata, structured in two kebeles, namely, core, middle and outer. Data quantitative were entered into STATA version 13 was analyzed accordingly. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation and percentage) and regression model were used to know the relationship between variables; positive correlation of family size, family income and age were found in relation of waste generation with p<0.0, whereas negative correlations of educational level and gender were seen in relation of waste generation with p<0.01. ANOVA test tables indicated that there is waste generation difference between the three strata, within strata as well as in solid waste percentage composition of the town were 0.43, 0.37 and 0.30, respectively. The average daily solid waste generation was found to be 0.17kg per day per person in Ginch town. The per-capita generation rates from inner, middle and outer strata (zones) of the town were 0.2kg, 0.16kg and 0.14kg, respectively. The physical composition study indicated that food source wastes (16.8%), ash and fine sand (15.8%), yard waste (14.8%) and dust (11.48%) dominated the generated wastes, respectively. The households and municipal office waste management practices indicated very weak activity in collection, recycling and compositing. Containers supply, door to door collection and disposal experiences of the municipal office needs very strong mitigation. The researcher recommends that the positive attitude seen at residents and municipal office workers to reduce waste impact should be supported by basic training