The environmental impact of waste disposal in Kampala city

Abstract

Waste indiscriminate disposal is recognized as an important cause of environmental pollution and is associated with health problems. This study therefore sought to investigate the environmental impacts of waste disposal in Kampala City. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection to gather information related to types and sources of wastes, environmental impacts of waste disposal, waste methods adopted and challenges encountered in waste management. The study revealed that organic waste was the most generated waste from markets and commercial facilities including plastics from households. Most of the waste are collected in old buckets and sacs and later dumped in containers. Since the wastes are collected daily or alternate days by service providers through door to door, others use open space or litter on streets. As such health hazards were common. The study concluded that public awareness-sensitization through community-based efforts were important in managing wastes.