Examining solid waste management by local authorities in high density suburbs: the case of Gweru city council in Mkoba 14.

Abstract

Solid waste management in Zimbabwe has posed a lot of problems and challenges in many urban residential areas. The most important issue discussed in this research is the effectiveness of solid waste management in Mkoba 14 high density suburb, Gweru. Twenty five respondents from the thirty house households chosen were selected. The use interviews and structured questionnaires as data collection tools. The researcher also used purposive sampling as a sampling technique as there is no use of random selection for respondents. This study examines the challenges and problems encountered by the residents of Mkoba 14 in trying to manage their solid waste. The study looks at sources and type of waste generated in Mkoba 14 high density suburbs. The research also looks at receptacles used to store waste and methods of waste disposal used. It also looks at the measures by city in managing solid waste. It is noted in the research that GCC is encountering a lot of problems in management as there is shortage of finances for it to practice proper solid waste management and this hence had a negative effect on environmental safety and protection. Another challenge is that most of the residents of Mkoba 14 do not sort their solid waste. They have resorted to illegal dumping and burning at illegal dumpsites. They explained that this is due to inconsistent by the municipal authority in terms of refuse collection. Most of the dumpsites in Mkoba 14 were left uncovered for a long without being attended to by GCC. However the 70% of the respondents of Mkoba 14 have been negatively affected because of improper solid waste management especially those who stay near the open dumpsites.