Environmental impacts of plastic waste management practices in urban suburbs areas of Zimbabwe

Abstract

The study was conducted to explore aspects surrounding plastic waste management in Makokoba high-density suburb, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Guided by the pragmatic reasoning, the study employed a descriptive cross sectional design. Referral sampling was used to select 32 questionnaire respondents while purposive sampling was used to select 4 key informants. Quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques were used to collect the data using semi-structured interviews, questionnaires and observations. Microsoft Excel was used for quantitative data analysis and content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. The study investigates the current state of plastic waste management practices, the challenges faced by residents and local authorities and associated environmental problems. The study established that informal markets were the main source of plastic waste (50%). The study also established that plastic waste led to land pollution (56%), disturbance of the natural ecosystem (17%) and blockage of the reticulation system (17%). Existing plastic waste management approaches were less effective since it focuses on disposal. Hence, the study recommends a sustainable plastic waste management framework which supports integrated approach and circular economy.