Assessment of plastic waste management in Isingiro Town Council, Isingiro District

Abstract

The generation of waste is on the rise globally and this has continued to be an increasing challenge to many city authorities in most Sub-Saharan African countries. This increase in the amount of waste generated is estimated to be much higher in developing countries due to increase in population growth, urbanization and development of industries including Uganda with a rapid urbanization of 5.1% per annum. This study aimed at assessing plastic waste management in Isingiro town council Isingiro district to ascertain the different types of plastic wastes, explore the challenges and people’s attitudes towards waste management. Data was collected from the areas of Kamuri, Ruhimbo, Kyabishaho, Mabona and Isingiro town using a questionnaire, observation and key informant interviews and later exported to SPSS for analysis. Results indicated that the different types of plastic wastes were plastic bags, plastic bottles, plastic buckets and plastic bins, with plastic bags being the most dominant of all. People’s attitude towards waste management was positive whereby 49% of the respondents participated in waste management. In addition, some of challenges of waste management included inadequate disposal equipment, ignorance, high volumes of plastic wastes, inactive polices, and incompetence of Town council. The study therefore recommended that town council and the district assemblies should design awareness campaign seminars to educate the population at the local levels the need to keep the environment clean from the waste. The town council should provide adequate dustbin facilities in different towns for easy collection of wastes from the curb sites which enhances quick transportation to the dumping site.