Evaluating the problems of solid waste management in Oli division, Arua city.

Abstract

This study was about evaluating the problems facing solid waste management in Oli division, Arua city state the objectives The sampled frame was the community of Adalafu parish with a sample size of 73 households which was obtained using simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a semi- structured questionnaire. Analysis was done using SPSS. Descriptive statistics was done to examine the research objectives. From the findings, food waste with a proportion of 56% was the most common waste generated, other wastes generated included plastics, old wastes and others not indicated in the findings, majority of the respondents with a proportion of 42.67% admitted to being fairly familiar with waste management practices in their area with others being very familiar and the rest not familiar at all. Majority (32%) of the respondents said the waste management hierarchy had improved in waste disposal and maintenance with the rest saying the hierarchy had increased in waste disposal sites, and introduction of waste collection sites. In conclusion, the main types of solid waste generated in Oli division were food waste, plastics, old wastes and other wastes that were not identified in the study. Food waste was the most generated waste from Oli division based on the study, with the key solid waste management practices being waste deposition in dustbins and open dumps, waste segregation, and waste recycling. The respondents were generally aware on the information regarding proper waste management practices, and improvements in waste disposal and maintenance, increase in waste disposal sites and introduction of waste collection trucks were the changes introduced by the waste management hierarchy over the past five years. The study recommended that, government should prioritize creation of awareness about waste segregation, disposal and management in general among the community as this was still lacking during the time of study. And the government should intervene in the ban of plastics usage and instead encourage the production of decomposable bags to be used amongst the community.