Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
JEWM
Research Article
Department of Natural Resources, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Africa University, Box 1320, Old
Mutare, Zimbabwe
2
Department of Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Africa University, Box 1320, Old Mutare,
Zimbabwe
3
Alumni, Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Africa University, Box 1320, Old
Mutare, Zimbabwe
4
Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Solusi University, Box
Solusi, Bulawayo
The objectives of the study were to assess the current status on household solid waste
management challenges of collection and disposal. The research employed both quantitative (in
form of questionnaires) and qualitative (in form of interviews) methodologies. Field visits and
observations were done on residential areas and open dumpsites. The research found that there
are lots of challenges that are faced by residents and these range from collection, methods of
disposal and the involvement of other key stakeholders. The results revealed that the
challenges in poor refuse collection were attributed to serious shortage of refuse equipment,
and shortage of proper receptacles. Recycling strategies seemed to be nonexistent as revealed
by low percentages of residents who practice it. Since council does not collect waste as often
as it should, residents dispose waste through the traditional and unsustainable ways such as
backyard incinerator, burying, burning and illegal open dumps. With rapid urbanization, the
situation is becoming critical. It was recommended that councils should extend coverage to all
areas, increase their refuse collection frequency, provide receptacles to residents and raise
awareness campaigns on recycling and sustainable solid waste disposal. There is need for
involvement by private sector and NGOs in solid waste management.
Keywords: Solid waste management, Recycling, Disposal, Refuse equipment,
INTRODUCTION
Municipal solid waste management has emerged as one
of the greatest challenges facing environmental
protection agencies in developing countries (Ogwueleka,
2009). Solid waste is generated by any activity such as
food preparation, sweeping, cleaning and burning fuel,
gardening and recreation (Medina, 2010). Municipal Solid
Waste is generally defined as waste generated from
homes, street sweeping, industries, institutions and
Challenges of solid waste management in Zimbabwe: a case study of Sakubva high density suburb
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143
Challenges of solid waste management in Zimbabwe: a case study of Sakubva high density suburb
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Figure 1. Map of Zimbabwe showing Districts of Manicaland Province and Mutare (Source, Google Maps
accessed March 6, 2016)
Section
Suburb
Chineta
Mawonde
Mazhambe
Muchena
Total
of
Number
houses
188
426
200
400
1294
of
Sample size
5
5
5
5
20
9
21
10
20
60
Sample
interval
21
20
19
20
80
N=60
Challenges of solid waste management in Zimbabwe: a case study of Sakubva high density suburb
Mutetwa et al.
145
46.7%
53.3%
Male
Female
RESULTS
Data Obtained From Residents
Demographic and Socio-economic characteristics of
respondents
Gender distribution: Figure 2 shows the gender
distribution of the sample respondents in percentages of
the sample population of Sakubva residents. This
categorical variable is important in explaining decision
making patterns in waste disposal at household level.
Gender is a significant part of the study since most of the
household chores are done by ladies and they are the
ones who generate much of the waste. Of the 60
respondents, 53.3% were male and 46.7% were female.
Age group of respondents: The age frequency
distribution of the respondents from the sample
population is shown in Table 2. The age of the
respondents ranged from <15years to 64years. Most of
the participants (36.7%) were in the age group 2534years followed by 16-24years age group (23.3%).
Challenges of solid waste management in Zimbabwe: a case study of Sakubva high density suburb
146
Variable
Marital status
Education
qualification
Employment
status
Tenure status
Category
Never married
Married
Below Grade7/Standard 6
Grade 7/Standard 6
O-Level
A-Level
Tertiary Certificate/Diploma
University degree
Employed formally
Self-employed informally
Unemployed but looking for work
Student
Owner/Purchaser
Tenant
Lodger
Tied accommodation
8.3%
23.3%
21.7%
Frequency(n=60)
27
33
3
8
24
13
6
6
19
17
15
9
19
16
16
9
Percentage (%)
45.00
55.00
5.00
13.33
40.00
21.67
10.00
10.00
31.67
28.33
25.00
15.00
31.67
26.67
26.67
15.00
Once a week
Twice a week
Irregularly
Not collected
Everyday
11.7%
35.0%
Challenges of solid waste management in Zimbabwe: a case study of Sakubva high density suburb
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120%
100%
100%
100%
80%
60%
40%
47%
28%
25%
20%
5%
10%
13%
3%
2%
0%
Method
Open dumping
Burying
Composting
Burning
Illegal dumping
Collection by Council
Frequency
(n=60)
30
27
29
36
29
34
Percentages
(%)
50.0
45.0
48.3
60.0
48.3
56.7
Challenges of solid waste management in Zimbabwe: a case study of Sakubva high density suburb
148
Challenges of solid waste management in Zimbabwe: a case study of Sakubva high density suburb
Mutetwa et al.
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70.0%
65.0%
60.0%
48.3%
50.0%
40.0%
30.0%
20.0%
10.0%
0.0%
No (n=39)
Yes (n=21)
Benefit
Monetary
Reduced waste
Aesthetic (beauty appearance)
No benefit
Frequency (n=21)
4
21
14
5
Percentage (%)
19.0
100.0
66.7
23.8
Challenges of solid waste management in Zimbabwe: a case study of Sakubva high density suburb
Dont Know
150
3.3
VeryPoor
26.7
Poor
56.7
Satifactory
13.3
Good
0.0
Excellent
0.0
0.0
10.0
20.0
30.0
40.0
50.0
60.0
Dont Know
15.0
VeryPoor
10.0
Poor
21.7
Satifactory
20.0
Good
26.7
Excellent
6.7
0
10
15
20
25
30
Challenges of solid waste management in Zimbabwe: a case study of Sakubva high density suburb
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16.7%
83.3%
Aware of legislation
Efficiency Levels
Management
Of
Councils
Solid
Waste
Challenges of solid waste management in Zimbabwe: a case study of Sakubva high density suburb
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Equipment
Refuse compactor
Front-end-loader
Tractor and trailer
Dozer
Landfill compactor
Skip bins
Skip trucks
Weighbridge
Incinerator
Tipper trucks
Functional
1
1
1
1
0
10
0
0
1
1
No-functional
2
1
1
0
20
0
0
0
3
Ideal
3
1
2
1
1
30
2
1
1
5
Table 7. Household to Staff ratio and staff break down proportions for urban councils
Challenges of solid waste management in Zimbabwe: a case study of Sakubva high density suburb
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Challenges of solid waste management in Zimbabwe: a case study of Sakubva high density suburb
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Recommendations
1.
The councils should increase equipment to meet
the capacity of solid waste collection and disposal.
2.
Councils should increase refuse human
resources to optimum levels.
3.
Councils should increase the number of proper
receptacles to cover all areas.
4.
Council should encourage recycling, through
supplying residents with adequate receptacles, public
campaigns and involving users in the planning and
collection of waste.
5.
Council is encouraged to promote reuse, recycle,
compost, or recover materials for use as direct or indirect
inputs to new products
6.
Council should improve interaction with residents
so that their efforts of waste management are clearly
understood by residents. This can be done by increasing
the visibility of the Public Health officers visiting the
residents
7.
Council to increase residents participation in
solid waste management.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Our gratitude also goes to the Mr and Mrs Mafume for
funding this research. We wish to extend many thanks to
Mr T. Masaka for his assistance in the development of
this paper.
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Citation: Mafume PN, Zendera W, Mutetwa M, Musimbo N
(2016). Challenges of solid waste management in Zimbabwe: a
case study of Sakubva high density suburb. Journal of
Environment and Waste Management, 3(2): 142-155.
Challenges of solid waste management in Zimbabwe: a case study of Sakubva high density suburb