SOCIOECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON PARTICIPATING HOUSEHOLDS, KENYA

Abstract

This study sought to; determine levels of income generated from Solid Waste Management (SWM) practices, assess contribution of the income to participating households’ (HHs) socio-economics and make policy recommendations to exploit existing potential in SWM practices. 121 HHs were surveyed from five phases of Dandora, Kenya. Respondents were selected through systematic sampling by phase. Relationships between SWM practices and household socioeconomic factors were established through descriptive analysis and correlations. Findings showed SWM practices had positive influence on socioeconomic lives of participants. Mean monthly income from SWM practices (Collection and Disposal, Recycling, and Minimization) were KShs 15941.28/=, KShs 16170.45/= and KShs 9467.50/= per household respectively. Total income of KShs 102,481,259/= per month from SWM Practices for the 6800HHs under study, contributed 82.47% of the total HH socioeconomic expenditure which included but not limited to education, food, health and housing expenses. These expenses constituted 55%, 21%, 18%, and 5% of total income respectively implying that HHs had other sources of income to supplement income from SWM practices. Correlation between total income and total expenses revealed a weak but positive correlation (r=0.389, at p=0.01) that was significant. The researcher recommends separation of waste at household level for easier collection, disposal and recycling; regular waste collection to avoid creation of mini-dumps in residential areas; and support for research and popularization of adoption of appropriate and low cost SWM technologies locally available to reduce handling cost of recyclable waste. Due to pollution of water supplied to HHs by leachate water from waste dumps, a separate cell should be provided at the sanitary landfill for the ashes of incinerated hazardous wastes and composting of solid waste at household level especially by those farming to generate organic manure for organic farming. The government should develop and implement policies that outline practical approaches to SWM practices.