Household participation and the sustainability of solid waste management in Dar es Salaam City, Tanzania

Dar es Salaam City in Tanzania has incorporated household stakeholders in managing a vast generation of solid waste. However, the impact of household participation on the sustainability of solid waste management remains unclear. This study examines how households’ participation in solid waste management activities influences the sustainability of solid waste management in Dar es Salaam City. The study applied a cross-sectional research design with a sample of 377 households. It employed a mixed-methods approach to gain a comprehensive understanding of how household participation influences sustainability in solid waste management, thereby enhancing the validity and reliability of the findings. Data collection used surveys, focus group discussions, key informants’ interviews, and documentary review methods. Data were collected from six wards with diverse income levels, including low-income, mixed-income, and high-income areas. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and the Binary Logistic Regression Model. Findings revealed that households' participation in decision-making significantly influences the sustainability of solid waste management (OR 2.300, p = 0.0073). Similarly, households’ skills significantly influence the sustainability of solid waste management (OR 4.017, p = 0.0088). The study concludes that the participation of households in decision-making and households’ skills create a conducive environment through which sustainable practices are merged into solid waste management systems. Although the study could not cover all municipalities in Dar es Salaam due to financial limitations, it recommends that the City Council and its Municipalities enhance community engagement initiatives to promote households' participation in sustainable solid waste management practices.