Solid waste management in Westlands suburb of Nairobi: a comparison between private and city council garbage management services

Abstract

This study focused on Solid Waste Management in the Westlands suburb of Nairobi and more specifically on the generation of both commercial and domestic waste in Westlands and the interval of collection by both private companies and the City Council. The main objective of this study was to investigate the frequency of collection and accumulation of solid waste in the Westlands suburb of Nairobi City in order to assess the environmental impact of solid waste in the area. The general hypothesis for this study was that solid waste collection process did not vary between private firms and Nairobi City Council. CTo solve the research problem and achieve the objectives of the study, there was a need to design a suitable investigation method. The research method had the following components: Data type; Data sources; Data sampling design; Data collection; Data Analysis In this study, both I secondary and primary data were used in an attempt to solve the stated research problem although primary data predominated. The primary data required for this study were on the following elements relevant to solid waste management: location of waste bins in the CBD and in four residential areas; waste generation represented by weight (Kg) from the units or bins; type of waste per unit or bin; waste management body; demographic information; spatial information in terms of the City of Nairobi administrative and road map and; public perception on municipal solid waste management by survey. The collected data were analyzed using various analysis techniques or methods. Each variable score was first tabulated in the field notebooks and the resulting records were then subjected to the descriptive and spatial analysis methods in order to provide answers to the research problems and to meet the objectives of this study. The results of the data analyses indicated that private companies are more efficient in waste collection than the City Council in the Westlands. The residents of Westlands were generally satisfied with the handling of solid waste in the area by private collection companies but were unhappy with the performance of the City Council regarding garbage collection and sanitation. Most of the waste generated in the study area was largely organic which could easily be composted. The recommendations of the study are that Dandora dumpsite needs to be relocated; cleaner production should be encouraged to reduce the waste at source as a primary option and improvement of recycling and reusing should be patronized as a secondary option for waste minimization. Environmental Impact Assessment and ISO 14000 for the protection of environment should be enforced aggressively. Public awareness and motivation should be the key for waste reduction and its effective management. Public awareness about waste minimization must be propagated in comprehensible language and viable way. Privatization of municipal solid waste management both wholly or in partnership with City Council should be encouraged and expedited. The use of traditional and indigenous material, which is easily biodegradable or durable for use, should be encouraged. Waste should be managed as a resource.