Title: Status , characterization , and quantification of municipal solid waste as a measure towards effective solid waste management: The case of Dilla Town , Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

The aim of this study is to assess the status of solid waste management (SWM) and to characterize and quantify the municipal solid waste as a measure towards effective management in Dilla, Ethiopia. Surveys for household residents and SWM operators, repeated field investigations, on-site waste measurements, characterizations, and quantification were conducted. The average per-capita waste generation rate among residential households was found to be 0.475 kg/ capita.day. The majority of waste was organic (68.40% by weight), suggesting a strong resource recovery potential in terms of animal feed or compost. Recyclable wastes 1.90% plastics and 1.50% papers by weight. Whereas, 0.30% metals, 0.30% glass, 0.50% leather and rubber, 19.60% inert 0.96% textiles, and 6.90% miscellaneous by weight were obtained. Poor household wastes source segregation attitudes and practices and disposing of in unsanitary landfills are revealing the main solid waste management problems faced. Other SWM barriers are ineffective solid waste fees system, lacking equipment and trained manpower, inappropriate collection routes; unavailability of collection vehicles, illegal solid waste disposal, and inappropriate setting of community containers. To enhance SWM public awareness, re-usage, recycling, composting, providing equipment and facilities, provision of incentive and other financial policies and other provisions currently lacking and inappropriate must be provided. The municipal authorities of the town may use this work as a bench mark and can push environmental protection authorities to reexamine the implementation of their policies and strategies with regard to the human and environmental health conditions of the town.