Household knowledge, attitudes and practices towards solid waste management among local residents in Nansana Municipality

Abstract

A study was conducted in Nansana Municipality to determine household knowledge, practices and attitudes towards solid waste management. It set out to address the gap in information about the knowledge, practices and attitudes of Nansana Municipality residents towards SWM. The key parameters of the study were: Independent parameters (Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices) and dependent parameter was levels of SWM. The rate of household solid waste generation was determined during the survey through, first sorting and then weighing. Stratified random sampling was used to select respondents based on willingness to participate in the study. Structured questionnaires were then administered. Interviews and focus group discussions were used to identify and evaluate the effectiveness of SWM practices and identify the perceived barriers to sustainable SWM. Data were coded and statistical analysis carried out using Statistical package for Social Science (SPSS). Results showed that 89% of the total weight of SW generated was organic in nature followed by plastics (6%), metal (3%) and paper (2%). On average the SW generated in Nansana was 0.27kg/person/day. In Nansana East, the average SW generated was 0.3kg/person/day; in Nansana West it was 0.3kg/person/day while in Nansana South it was 0.2kg/person/day. Results indicated that the Solid Waste Management practices in Nansana were largely ineffective. Results revealed that only 34% of the respondents had high knowledge in SWM, 25% had positive attitudes and 21% had good practices in SWM. The barriers to effective solid waste management in Nansana are limited funding and population increase resulting into limited capacity for SWM. Income level, family size, marital status and education level were the main socio-economic factors affecting solid waste generation capacity and composition in Nansana municipality. The study recommends increasing the frequency of solid waste collection, promotion of payment for solid waste collection services among households, awareness creation and formation of accessible solid waste collection points.