THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT, A CASE STUDY OF MBALE CITY COUNCIL.

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Date

2024-05-10

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UCU

Abstract

Managing solid waste is one of the greatest challenge affecting urban authorities and communities in many countries and this has undermined UN effort of achieving clean and green cities. This study assessed the role of community participation in solid waste management– Mbale City Council. Specifically, the study examined the role of community participation in solid waste management and established the effects of poor solid waste management on the community in Mbale City. It also established strategies for managing solid waste in Mbale City. The study used cross-sectional design to present data with the help of both qualitative and quantitative methods. Data was collected from 80 study participants from the study area using self-administered questionnaires and interview guides. Simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select study participants. Qualitative data was from interviews was analysed thematically while quantitative data generated from questionnaires was analysed using inferential statistics (Mean and standard deviation). The study found that community participation can increase capabilities at the level of the community and it encourages cost sharing of project activities AND communities participate in collection and transport of solid waste from the neighbourhood to a dumping site. Also findings show that communities make decision regarding solid waste management and communities provide resources necessary for solid waste management. Additionally, findings revealed that poor solid waste management can lead to emergence of diseases and creates bad odour for the communities. The study also found that many of the substances, such as cadmium, arsenic, chromium, nickel, dioxins and PAHs are considered to be carcinogenic, based on animal studies or studies of people exposed to high levels and residence within 3 km of a site was associated with a significantly raised risk of congenital anomaly, with a fairly consistent decrease in risk with distance away from the sites. Also poor waste management leads to high content of enteric pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and helminths, which are easily transmitted through water. The researcher recommended that re-use and recycling programmes can help improve solid waste management as well passing and enforcing suitable legislation on waste management. Other recommendations included promoting bio waste treatment, under taking collection arrangements and creating community awareness about solid waste.

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