Assessment of polythene bag waste management in suburbs of Kampala city: a case study of Busega Rubaga division

Abstract

This study focused on assessing the factors influencing polythene bag waste management in Busega community. This was done by discovering the sources of polythene bag waste and the levels of awareness among residents about the dangers of polythene bag waste to their wellbeing. A gap existed in identifying the factors that contributed to the continued use and poor management of plastic bags in the suburbs of Kampala city. The sample size used in the study was 100 households from the 26 different zones of Busega Parish. Using a random sampling technique, the main sources of polythene bag waste were market centres (44%), households (31%) and schools (25%). The data analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Science software (SPSS) indicated that environmental impacts such as poor aesthetics of the area (39%), diseases (19%), domestic animals feeding on the waste (17%) and soil infertility (10%) were registered. The study also indicated that waste collection was mainly done once a month (43%). Therefore, this research offers valuable insights for policymakers, community stakeholders, and future initiatives aiming to create a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient urban landscape in Kampala City.