Municipal Solid Waste Management Practice in Yirgalem Town, Sidam Region, Ethiopia

Abstract Background: Municipal solid waste is not properly treated and handled in less developed countries such as Ethiopia. Consequently, it pollutes the air, groundwater, and soil, which results in a negative impact on the hygienic conditions of the people, and the environment. This study aimed to assess existing municipal solid waste management practices in Yirgalem Town. Result: The survey result revealed that 73.2 % of the participants considered their surroundings clean and 83% of the respondents knew more about solid waste management. This result showed that only 38% of the households have access to door -to- door solid waste collection services in the Town. Yirgalem Town does not have a well managed municipal solid waste disposal site, thus every waste generated from the town is discarded into an open dumping area. More than 50.9% of the respondents feel unsatisfied with the current solid waste management services. Most solid waste management practices (knowledge, recycling and reusing, participation, and sorting and disposal practices) are significantly associated with gender, age and monthly income level of socio-demographic characteristics (p <0.05). However, other socio-demographic characteristics such as marital status, educational background, and job status and house ownership were not significantly associated with solid waste management practices. (p > 0.05). Conclusion: In general, poor institutional structure, lack of skilled manpower, finance and equipment and tools are the major challenges faced by the municipality of Yirgalem Town. Thus, an integrated and inclusive solid waste management system is required to strengthen future waste management strategies and policies.