| dc.description.abstract | The increasing accumulation of solid wastes, especially polythene wastes, in Nakuru town has led to environmental degradation and pollution and the resultant consequences. This has compelled the Municipal Council of Nakuru to adopt polythene disposal regulations within environmental management By-laws In order to improve environmental management. However, the actual implications of these regulations on environmental management have not been documented. This study sought to assess the influences of polythene disposal regulations within environmental management By-laws on environment management in Municipal Council of Nakuru.
The study adopted a survey research design. The population included the 4100 businesses using polythene and operating in Municipal Council of Nakuru and the 50 employees from the Department of Environment of the council. A random sample of 73 members of the business community and 10 employees and 4 senior management staff from the Department of Environment was selected for this study. Data was collected using two self-structured questionnaires (one for the business community and another for the council employees) and in-depth interview schedule with senior management staff. The questionnaires were pilot-tested to determine its validity and reliability.
The collected data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 11.5 for Windows. The study findings indicate that polythene wastes are the biggest environmental pollutant due to poor usage and disposal. To control and regulate their treatment and disposal, Municipal Council of Nakuru had enacted polythene disposal regulations within environmental management By-laws requiring the business community to pay a 20% pollution fee. The adoption of the regulations had contributed to improvement in environmental management. The council used top-down approach in applying and implementing the regulations. The adopted measures were effective in the implementation of the regulations due to the efficient administration, monitoring and evaluation and stringent penalties put in place.
The study recommends that there was need for the council and all other local authorities to increase their public awareness campaigns of the enormous environmental impact of polythene wastes and the need to control their usage and disposal. There was need to involve members of the public in the development, application and implementation processes of the regulations. There was need to improve the administrative and financial capacity of the council to adequately apply and implement the provisions of the polythene disposal regulations. | en_US |
