An investigation on the solid waste management methods and their impact on the aesthetics in Kampala city.

Abstract

Globally, solid waste generation is sky-rocketing beyond governments’ planning and projections. This is attributed to the rapid population growth rates and urbanization in developing countries such as Uganda. Solid waste constitutes a threat to the environment, generally, and to aesthetics in particular. The high urbanization rate, resulting in more waste generated and as well as new life Patterns, Standard of living, and attitude change which all affect waste composition including hazardous waste which calls for various solid waste management methods. The solid waste management problem in Wandegeya is one of the urgent issues and calls for immediate action to be taken by all stakeholders in solid waste management. The study investigated solid waste management methods and their impact on the aesthetics in Kampala, a case study of Wandegeya Parish. The theoretical underpinnings of the study were premised on life cycle analysis theory and the Waste Management theory. The objectives of the study included; investigating the different solid waste management methods employed and their effectiveness, the actors who participate in the solid waste management system, the relationship between the aesthetics of the area and solid waste management system and proper waste management options or practices that can be adapted. The study was carried out in Wandegeya Parish, Kawempe division, Kampala city. The study employed both Qualitative and quantitative techniques in data collection. In addition, the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and relational statistics in form of Pearson’s product correlation. The findings revealed the existing solid waste management methods as open burning, (33.3%), indiscriminate dumping(21.4%), On the other hand, 19.0% and 14.3% of the respondents agreed with the garbage storage and garbage collection and transportation respectively, methods of incineration (6.0%) and compositing (6.0%) were the least used as respondents revealed. The study established that, 35.7% accounted for local public authority (KCCA), 27.4% asserted agreed that solid waste management in Wandegeya parish is done by private companies that is, Hilltop co. Ltd, Urban Cleaners (U) Ltd, Domestic waste Ltd, among others. While 19.0% accounted for hired personnel. Meanwhile 17.9% reported that solid waste management was done at the household level. The findings also established that the impact associated with using such methods such as open burning and indiscriminate dumping; air pollution, leachate formation, the release of dangerous gases, and unpleasant sites, which affected both human health and the environment xii | P a g e The findings also indicated that, there is a weak but significant relationship between solid waste management methods and their impact on aesthetics. This shows that, solid waste management in Wandegeya is not a threat nonetheless, it does not disregard the effects of open burning and indiscriminate dumping methods which pose a jeopardy to aesthetics especially through bad smells/odors, poor site views among others. It recommends that Wandegeya Parish should emphasize lucrative methods of waste management like composting of biodegradable wastes while the organic wastes be recycled or reused, further the study recommends disposal of wastes to be undertaken scientifically and encourage environmental impact assessments to be done for the various waste management methods to keep the aesthetics intact. The study suggests areas for further research such as; possible methods of decomposing solid wastes, integrated solid waste management strategies of the 3Rs (reduce, recycle, reuse). These could be of great importance as solid waste management methods to reduce the impact on aesthetics and the general environment and human health, institutional capacity for Sustainable Solid Waste Management.