Role of public participation in solid waste management in Mlolongo town

Abstract

Rapid economic growth and industrialization of the developing countries has created serious problems of solid waste disposal due to uncontrolled and unmonitored urbanization, inadequate inclusion of the waste generators (the public) and financial and human resources. This research is culmination of a study carried out to investigate the role public participation in solid waste management. The main problem of concern is the lack of public inclusion in provision of basic services and infrastructure such as solid waste management. The study was carried out in Mlolongo Town which is located on the fringes of Nairobi City within Machakos County. The objectives of the study were to establish how solid waste is organized, the current and potential role the public play to achieve effective SWM, the major challenges of involving the public SMW and exploring ways of improving the same in Mlolongo. The study used a descriptive research design. A total of 196 households’ randomly sampled respondents were interviewed. Three focus group discussions were held and three key informants interviewed. The collected data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study found that, SWM was carried out by private solid waste collectors, cart pushers, resource merchants, public, estate and neighbourhood associations and the County Government who collect and transport waste to a dumping site. The public played roles of waste collection, financing, sorting, transportation and recycling. Potential roles include composting, waste separation, involvement of children in SWM, introduction of solid waste containers and reuse of waste. Identified challenges of involving the public in SWM were inadequate resources, poor attitudes, averseness to participation and SWM knowledge gaps. The study recommends active public participation in SWM, sensitization of the public, social networking with good-willed individuals, prioritization of SWM during annual budgets and plans to cover knowledge gaps of the people with an ultimate aim of empowering, motivating and provoking them to constantly think of effective and efficient ways of SWM. Further research is required to explore the potential for enormous solid waste reduction at household level, potential for waste recycling and the possibilities of complete privatization of Solid Waste Management in Mlolongo and other similar towns