Abstract:
Waste management poses a formidable challenge globally, particularly in rapidly
urbanizing regions such as Holeta Town, Ethiopia. Despite legislative endeavors,
persistent hurdles arise due to insufficient resources and infrastructure. This study
aims to assess knowledge and attitudes of household solid waste management
practices in Holeta Town. The study utilizes a cross-sectional design conducted
March to April 2024, employing structured questionnaires translated into native
1languages for better comprehension. A sample size of 385 households was
determined using a 95% confidence level and a 5% margin of error. Key findings
from the study in Holeta town highlight a strong understanding among households
regarding waste segregation (80%) and proper disposal techniques (93.7%).
Positive attitudes towards waste management are evident, with significant support
for community-led initiatives (88.9%) and personal responsibility for waste
reduction (77%). However, challenges remain in adopting recycling habits (29%)
and addressing improper disposal practices like littering (54.3%) and illegal
dumping (88.3%), emphasizing the need for targeted educational and community
engagement strategies. In conclusion the findings from Holeta town reveal
commendable awareness and positive attitudes towards solid waste management
practices .Therefore Education and Training Enhancement, Expand Recycling
Infrastructure, encouraging community involvement, enforcing regulations more
strictly, encouraging sustainable behaviors, and setting up systems for monitoring
and assessment to track progress, assess effectiveness, and make data-driven
improvements to sustainability initiatives
