Domestic solid waste management and it's environmental impacts in Fort Portal City

Abstract

Domestic solid waste continues to be a threat to Fort Portal City’s environment. Most people show little concern for the environment resulting into poor disposal of waste. Only a small fraction is recycled. The overall objective of the study was to contribute to the understanding of the constituents of domestic solid waste and challenges faced by the city council in domestic solid waste management as a basis of informing improved domestic waste management practices in Fort portal city. Data were collected from residents of Fort Portal City through direct observation, guided interviews and opened ended questions. The city still disposes its solid wastes to Kiteere composting site which receives over 750 tons of solid waste per day. The city council is facing a lot of challenges towards solid waste management such as limited funds, limited man power, and poor altitude of the people and reluctance of some city council officials in solid waste management. Some of strategies to overcome the challenges include soliciting for funds to help in the running of domestic solid waste, promoting awareness among the locals; finding designated dumping areas and follow ups by the responsible officials to oversee Solid waste management activities in Fort Portal City.