Solid Waste Management Practices in Nakasongola Town Council, Uganda

Abstract

Solid waste generation rates are rising and the world's cities are believed to be generating about 2.01 billion tons of solid waste, amounting to a footprint of 0.74 kilograms per person per day. The rapid population growth and urbanization has exacerbated the condition concerning solid wastes. This study focused on the management of the solid wastes in Nakasongola Town Council, Uganda. Specifically, it aimed at the determining of the types of wastes generated, determined the existing solid waste management methods employed by the residents in the area, and examined the factors that influenced the solid waste management practices among the residents of the town council. A descriptive survey design was utilized to collect both quantitative and qualitative data from the 160 households within Nakasongola Town Council. Data were gathered through structured questionnaires, interviews, direct observations and documentary reviews. Key findings with their corresponding means, indicate organic wastes (4.21), plastics (4.26), rubbish and ashes (3.65) were the major types of wastes produced by the residents of Nakasongola Town Council. Incineration (4.36), composting (4.29) and sanitary landfill (4.15) were the main practices used to manage solid wastes in the town council. However, the solid waste management practices in the study area are influenced by the income levels of the residents (86%), household size (66%), level of education (59%) and stability of the residents living in the town council (72%) among others. The study concludes that solid waste management practices in Nakasongola are significantly influenced by demographic factors, particularly attitudes, income levels, and knowledge of waste management, highlighting the necessity for targeted interventions to improve waste management outcomes in the community. Based on the findings, the study recommends implementing comprehensive community education programs on solid waste management, introduction of affordable waste disposal options, and adoption of a policy for better management of solid wastes at the lowest level of governance.