Factors Determining Effective Household Solid Waste Management in Arba Minch Town: South Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Increasing generation of domestic solid waste coupled with ineffective waste management service is the major challenge facing Arba Minch town. The main objective of this study is to examine the factors that determine effective household solid waste management by assessing the current status of household solid waste management practice of the town. A simple random sampling technique was applied for sample size selection of 137 households. The primary data were gathered through questionnaires, interviews, observation, and focus group discussion; whereas secondary data were extracted from different published and unpublished materials. The analysis of this study was carried out using both quantitative and qualitative techniques. The findings of the study revealed absence of functional communal waste storage materials, shortage of solid waste transportation vehicles, widespread practice of unauthorized dumping and burning, restriction of the door-todoor waste collection service mainly to the center of the town and the areas close to the main roads. The finding also disclosed that the householder’s age, sex, education, income, awareness, willingness to pay, year of stay, household size, and location of the house are the major determining factors of solid waste management at household level. Moreover, institutional factors such as solid waste facilities and equipment, finance, work force, rules and regulations, and accessibility to the private collectors determine the effectiveness of solid waste management among sample households of this study. Generally, household solid waste management of the town is poor and timely measures must be taken. Keywords: Solid Waste, Waste Management, Household Waste, Arba Minch Town