Determinants of Improved Solid Waste Management: a Case of Mombasa County, Kenya

Abstract

Solid waste management is meant to ensure that the processing of solid waste materials is done in a way that best addresses the range of public health, aesthetics, conservation and other environmental considerations. Counties are spending significant resources to address this problem, but the overall situation is far from satisfactory and rapid and haphazard urban growth is making the problem worse. The purpose of this study was to establish the determinants of effective Solid Waste Management in Mombasa County. The study was guided by four objectives which were: to Examine the extent to which recycling materials contribute towards enhanced solid waste management in Mombasa County; to assess the extent to which government policies contribute towards enhanced solid waste management in Mombasa County; to establish the extent to which education and awareness contribute towards enhanced solid waste management in Mombasa County and to assess the extent to which public participation contributes towards enhanced solid waste management in Mombasa County. The study was guided by three hypotheses; stakeholder hypothesis; behavioral finance hypothesis and institutional hypothesis. The researcher used descriptive survey research design. The researcher used a questionnaire to collect data. The sample size was 240 respondents from a population of 450 solid waste management department employees of Mombasa County. Validity and reliability of the research was conducted and questionnaire was found to be reliable. Illustrative inferential insights which are mean, standard and rate were utilized; tables and figures were used to exhibit information. The coefficient of determination was 0.843 which implied that there was 84.3% variation in solid waste management in view of advancement in recycling. The study found out that the correlation coefficient was 0.918 which indicated that there was a significant relationship between solid waste management and recycling. The study found out that there was 87.5% variation in enhanced solid waste management because of progress in government policy. The study found out that the correlation coefficient was 0.935 which show that there was significant relationship between solid waste management and government policy. The study found out that there was a correlation coefficient of 0.877 which elucidates that there was a positive relationship between improved solid waste management and education and awareness. The study found that education and awareness was 0.729 which meant that there was 72.9% variation in upgraded solid waste organization due to change in public participation. The study found that the association coefficient was 0.854 which illuminates thusly there was a positive relationship between improved solid waste and public participation. From the findings of this study, it can be concluded that public participation contributes influences on improved solid waste management, recycling contributes influences on improved solid waste management, education and awareness contributes influences on improved solid waste management, government policy contributes influences on improved solid waste management. The study recommended that for improved solid waste management public participation has to be practiced at all times, recycling should be embraced, education and awareness is paramount especially in processes, training, and equipment used etc. and government policies need to be passed and implemented in good faith.