A survey of solid waste management services in Woldya Town (Ethiopia): Challenges and opportunities for improvement

Abstract

In different cities and towns of Ethiopia, solid waste is a major environmental problem. Woldya  town  also  face  the  challenges  of  solid  waste  management.  Effective  and efficient solid waste management in a town is a mandatory to ensure human and animal health and also to ensure clean and sound able environment in urban development.  The aim of this study is to assess challenges and opportunities for improvement of solid waste management services in Woldya town.    Interviews, questionnaires and observation were the major tools used for data gathering.  The data were analyzed using tables, percentages, pie chart followed by explanation.  In Woldya  town the residents use  illegal  methods of  solid waste  disposal;  this  includes  burning, open dump and ditch. The key challenges of solid waste management services in the town are lack of Awareness, lack of manpower, lack of facilities and financial constraints. The communities recommended that solid waste management can be improved through community participation, increasing funding, create awareness and encourage waste minimization.  This study recommends  environmental education related to solid waste management plays a great role  to promote  attitudinal change of  the  community and strong community  participation, improve institutional  capacity, strengthen  financial capacity,  promote  private  sector  participation and preparing  disposal site for solid waste