Solid Waste Disposal For Social Sustainable Development

By W Mayabo

Solid Waste Disposal Practices and Culture in a Time of Change- A Case of Disposable Nappies in Urban Local Authorities in Zimbabwe
W. Mayabo
Introduction:
The average per capita waste generation is 0.23 (GIZ waste characterization-Mashonaland West Province towns 2013). There is a characteristic phenomenon of improper disposal of disposable nappies in urban local authorities. The potential generators of this diaper solid waste are women of child bearing age in Zimbabwe. Disposable nappies constitute about 5% of the indiscriminately dumped solid waste. We carried out this study in order to address factors influencing improper disposal of diapers in urban local authorities in Zimbabwe.
Materials and methods: A 1:1 case control study was conducted in Chinhoyi Town. A case was any women of child bearing age attending ANC at health facilities and coming from an area where there are refuse dumps within the visinity. The existance of dumps were within the previous four weeks. Contols were women not exposed to diapers and living in areas without dumps. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used and Epi-info software was used to analyze data.
Results: We enroled 150 respondents from high and low density subburbs. 68% of respondents were exposed to diapers and 32% were not. Majority 77(52%) were 15 to 35 years of age. 112(73%) live in high density and 35(24%) low density suburbs. The risk factors associated with improper refuse disposal were; no instructions on diaper packaging OR 1.9(CI 0.93:3.79), not following disposal instructions OR 3.4(CI 1.67:7.12), using temporary plastic bags OR 2.83(CI 1.15:6.23) and disposal by burying OR 3.25(CI 1.21:8.75)
Discussion and conclusion: Mothers and guardians are responsible for proper disposal of used diapers and all risk facters are centred on behaviour, culture and hygiene practices. Urban authorities should come up with vibrant all inclusive solid waste management protocols that address the existing improper disposal practices.
Key words: Solid waste, diapers, behaviour, culture, disposal, Diarrhoea, zimbabwe

• Language: English
• Publisher: W Mayabo
• Release date: Mar 10, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370524839

Book preview

SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL FOR SOCIAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL PRACTICES AND CULTURE IN A TIME OF CHANGE

A CASE OF DISPOSABLE NAPPIES IN URBAN LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN ZIMBABWE

W Mayabo

.

Copyright © 2017 W Mayabo

Published by W Mayabo Publishing at Smashwords

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without permission from the copyright holder.

The Author has made every effort to trace and acknowledge sources/resources/individuals. In the event that any images/information have been incorrectly attributed or credited, the Author will be pleased to rectify these omissions at the earliest opportunity.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Solid Waste Disposal Practices and Culture in a Time of Change- A Case of Disposable Nappies in Urban Local Authorities in Zimbabwe

W. Mayabo

Introduction:

The average per capita waste generation is 0.23 (GIZ waste characterization-Mashonaland West Province towns 2013). There is a characteristic phenomenon of improper disposal of disposable nappies in urban local authorities. The potential generators of this diaper solid waste are women of child bearing age in Zimbabwe. Disposable nappies constitute about 5% of the indiscriminately dumped solid waste. We carried out this study in order to address factors influencing improper disposal of diapers in urban local authorities in Zimbabwe.

Materials and methods: A 1:1 case control study was conducted in Chinhoyi Town. A case was any women of child bearing age attending ANC at health facilities and coming from an area where there are refuse dumps within the visinity. The existance of dumps were within the previous four weeks. Contols were women not exposed to diapers and living in areas without dumps. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used and Epi-info software was used to analyze data.

Results: We enroled 150 respondents from high and low density subburbs. 68% of respondents were exposed to diapers and 32% were not. Majority 77(52%) were 15 to 35 years of age. 112(73%) live in high density and 35(24%) low density suburbs. The risk factors associated with improper refuse disposal were; no instructions on diaper packaging OR 1.9(CI 0.93:3.79), not following disposal instructions OR 3.4(CI 1.67:7.12), using temporary plastic bags OR 2.83(CI 1.15:6.23) and disposal by burying OR 3.25(CI 1.21:8.75)

Discussion and conclusion: Mothers and guardians are responsible for proper disposal of used diapers and all risk facters are centred on behaviour, culture and hygiene practices. Urban authorities should come up with vibrant all inclusive solid waste management protocols that address the existing improper disposal practices.

Key words: Solid waste, diapers, behaviour, culture, disposal, Diarrhoea, zimbabwe

WILLIAM MAYABO

MUNICIPALITY OF CHINHOYI

BOX 93, CHINHOYI. ZIMBABWE [e-mail]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This project would not have been successful if it had not been for the meaningful and selfless contributions from many individuals and institutions that gave me support throughout its development and compilation. First and foremost I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my academic supervisor Lambart for his patience and the valuable suggestions, guidance and support that he gave me throughout the study. Secondly, I am indebted to the Municipality of Chinhoyi health workers specifically Motsi and Marvelous who played a crucial role in assisting me in the recruitment of the study participants, and the Environmental Management Agency, Chinhoyi University students and staff for support they gave.

This project would not have even taken off if it were not for the invaluable input and support that I got from all AIU staff. Special thanks go to the Municipality of Chinhoyi members of management and the Town Clerk for allowing the project to take off. I would also like to thank the friends and relatives who offered me some financial support. Finally, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my wife, son and daughters. Without their selfless support, this project would not have been a success

Thank you all!

William Mayabo.

Contents

Executive Summary

Acknowledgements

Abbreviations

List Of Figures

List Of Tables

Chapter One

Introduction

Solid Waste Management (Problem Definition)

Thesis Statement

Hypothesis

Objectives

The