The Solid Waste Management and Determinant Factors in Asella, Ethiopia: Generation Rates, Disposal Practices, and Public Perceptions

Abstract

Implementing technical systems can help reduce the ever-increasing quantity of municipal solid waste. The main objective of this study was to determine current solid waste management practices and determining factors in Asella, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study design was applied to 418 houses. Random and systematic sampling techniques for data collection were used, along with organized questionnaires and checklists. Data were entered into EpiData 4.6 and exported to SAS 17. Binary logistic regression was the test statistic for the determination of the AOR solid waste components. The rate of solid waste generation was significant, at 0.71 kg per person per day. The health exposure assessment of health indicator problems was also high, 94.78%. The percentages of trash waste, food waste, and paper waste were 29%, 25%, and 19%, respectively. Open-field disposal accounted for 20.3% of the solid waste disposal methods, followed by surface dumping (21.1%), open burning (32.5%), composting (13.4%), and other systems (12.7%). Municipal offices handled 69.6% of the solid waste collection service, the private sector (22%), and individual partners (8.4%). 59.8% of the people were dissatisfied with municipal solid waste collection services. Trash (AOR 3.93, CI 2.87-5.39), plastic (AOR 3.81, CI 1.83-7.90), paper (AOR 4.62, CI 3.39-6.28), food (AOR 1.23, CI 1.11-1.89), and others (AOR 4.95, CI 2.45-9.85) were associated factors with solid waste management practice in Asella, Ethiopia. In conclusion, a paradigm shift to energy and material transformation will be economically and technically feasible remedial measures for solid waste management problems in Asella, Ethiopia.