A study of variables contributing to quantities of solid waste generated by businesses located within anniversary towers high rise building in the Nairobi central business district-Kenya

Abstract

This is a study of the solid waste generation by businesses housed in Anniversary Towers in Nairobi. The organisations housed in this building are broadly identifiable as offices, shops, restaurants, salons and drapery dealers, making the waste essentially of commercial nature. The objective of this study is to identify factors contributing to the waste generation in the building. Staff population and Type of business are the study’s main independent variables with the quantities generated as the dependent variable. Influence of other possible factors in solid waste generation is also examined. All Forty-Six organisations based in Anniversary Towers and operating at the time of data gathering were subject of this study. The exception was a Pharmacy located on the building’s ground floor whose primary waste was medical in nature hence hazardous and considered beyond the researcher’s capacity to handle. The methodology of data collection involved sourcing of solid wastes from all organisations, sorting into the different types, weighing and recording. Data on staff populations came from interviews with persons in charge of staff matters in the various organisations. Structured questionnaires were administered for information on solid waste management practices in each of the organisations. Physical observations and photography were employed to augment the study’s data. Secondary data were gleaned by reference to previous research on solid waste generation Data on population versus solid waste quantities was analysed by linear regression. The findings upon this analysis were that a positive though weak relationship existed between staff population and generation of solid waste. Influence of business type on solid waste quantities was analysed by using Chi-Square test, and the findings were that business type influences amount of solid waste generated. Recommendations were made specifically for more sensitization to solid waste generation minimisation especially paper waste, and opportunities for further research in the topic suggested.