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 policyrecommendations to exploit existing potential in SWM practices. 121 HHs were surveyed from five phases ofDandora, Kenya. Respondents were selected through systematic sampling by phase. Relationships between SWMpractices and household socioeconomic factors were established through descriptive analysis and correlations.Findings showed SWM practices had positive influence on socioeconomic lives of participants. Mean monthlyincome from SWM practices (Collection and Disposal, Recycling, and Minimization) were KShs 15941.28/=, KShs16170.45/= and KShs 9467.50/= per household respectively. Total income of KShs 102,481,259/= per month fromSWM Practices for the 6800HHs under study, contributed 82.47% of the total HH socioeconomic expenditurewhich 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 supplementincome from SWM practices. Correlation between total income and total expenses revealed a weak but positivecorrelation (r=0.389, at p=0.01) that was significant. The researcher recommends separation of waste at householdlevel for easier collection, disposal and recycling; regular waste collection to avoid creation of mini-dumps inresidential areas; and support for research and popularization of adoption of appropriate and low cost SWMtechnologies locally available to reduce handling cost of recyclable waste. Due to pollution of water supplied toHHs by leachate water from waste dumps, a separate cell should be provided at the sanitary landfill for the ashesof incinerated hazardous wastes and composting of solid waste at household level especially by those farming togenerate organic manure for organic farming. The government should develop and implement policies that outlinepractical approaches to SWM practices.