Determinants of sustainable solid waste management: a case of construction projects in Imenti north, Meru county

Abstract

Solid waste is made up of hazardous materials that are mostly non-biodegradable, construction solid waste mostly in the form of; broken tiles, steel, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and metal pipes, concrete debris, metal, glass, plastic and gypsum presents huge sustainable management challenges. This is particularly so in construction projects sites that lack low-waste and recycling technology, disposal equipment and in which construction workers are equipped with low levels of education and training. The current study specifically investigated factors that influence the sustainable management of construction solid waste in project sites. Research focused on the influence of design approaches and management, education and training programs, industry targeted programs and low waste technology and recycling equipment. The research was pivoted on two theories; Balance Theory of Recycling Construction and Demolition Waste and Task-contextual Theory. The study was guided by a descriptive survey research design. Target population 3,055 respondents. Study’s sample size was of 16, Consultants (Architects, Contractors and Quantity Surveyors), 287 Clients (Landlords that are members of Imenti North Meru Landlords association) and 39 Meru County Government’s Department of water, environment and sanitation staff that was selected to participate in the study. Stratified sampling and Simple random sampling was employed to select the respondents. Questionnaires were used to collect data in the study locale. Data was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively using SPSS version 22.0, this was presented in frequency and percentage tables and Pearson-Product Correlation was applied. The study found that design approaches and management, education and training program, industry targeted programs and low waste technology and recycling equipment had an influence on the sustainable management of construction projects solid waste in Imenti North. The study concluded that design approaches and management had the greatest influence on sustainable management of residential construction solid waste followed by education and training programs then low waste technology and recycling equipment while the industry targeted programs had the least effect on the sustainable management of residential construction solid waste. The study recommends that awareness of the benefits of solid waste management should be created and the general population mobilized, that project managers in Meru County should diversify the form of waste disposal used, that the county government can formulate programs and education/training packages to empower the residents in solid waste reduction and segregation and that government should design better approaches on waste management and help create markets for waste materials through policy making, economic incentives, regulations, enforcement of regulations, and campaigns/promotions.