Influence of household characteristics on solid waste management practices at household level in Mukono Town, Uganda

Abstract

To protect human health and for successful environmental protection in a given area, there must be effective waste management practices in place. There have been problems with household solid waste management which is one of the root causes of pollution. This study assessed the influence of household characteristics on solid waste management in Mukono town, Uganda. The specific objectives of the study were; to determine the influence of formal education level of household head, income levels of household heads, amount of solid wastes generated by the household, household size (number of people) and the waste collection system influence solid waste management practices at household level in Mukono. The study employed a descriptive research design with a target population of 11,000 households in Mukono municipality. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 245 households. A structured questionnaire was used to solicit information form the household heads. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (means, frequency distribution tables) and inferential statistics (regression and ANOVA) in a Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 25). The results of the study indicated that formal education level (β= 0.251, p < 0.001), income levels (β= 0.306, p < 0.001), amount of waste generated (β=.354, p < 0.004), and household size (β=0.261, p < 0.001) significantly influenced the level of solid waste management practices undertaken at the household level in Mukono town. The private system of solid waste collection method was found to significantly (F(4,240) =7.243, p < 0.001) influence the level of solid waste management practices compared to the communal waste collection system. Creation of a strong partnership between the municipal council (the regulator) service providers (waste collectors) and the members of the households will enhance proper waste management in the town. A policy needs to be put in place, where the municipal council will provide land for composting and land fill and the NGOs will provide the much needed training to the households and service providers. The study provides information on the household characteristics that are important in formulating the much needed policy of solid waste management in Mukono town to ensure a clean environment.