Assessment of Solid Waste Management Practices in Hotels in Zanzibar, Tanzania

This study aims to examine hotel practices on solid waste management in Zanzibar Island in the United Republic of Tanzania. Specifically, the study analyses the solid waste management practices based on size and location of the hotel as well as degree of international influence. Furthermore, the study analyzes the stakeholder participation in solid waste management. A survey was conducted in December 2019 using a questionnaire to the 158 hotels in all three regions of Zanzibar obtained using stratified random sampling method. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analyzed quantitatively using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results of the study showed that solid waste management by the hotel depends on the type of solid waste generated in which recycled was most preferred for food waste (18.4%), re-use for glass waste (23.4%), incineration for paper and cardboard waste (25.9%). Furthermore, regression analysis results showed that three variables explain practice of dumping solid waste in open space. These are contact with waste recycling firm (p=09), frequency of waste collection (p=0.011) and location (p=0.75). Hotels that have established contact with waste recycling firm are less likely to adopt open dumping, whereas high frequency of collecting waste decrease likelihood of dumping solid wastes. It has well been noted that hotel located in rural areas more likely to dispose waste in open dumping. The results also indicated that there was an association between hotel ownership (internationalization) and reduced use of plastic solid waste. Finally, the regression model was significant at 1 percent with p value of 0.001, implying that independent variables specified in the model which were hotel location and monitoring frequency correct determine whether food wastes are recycled at hotel premise or not. It can be concluded that, that management of waste is a combination of hotel related factors and external attributes that relates to regional or local administration. It is therefore recommended that local and national authorities should increase the frequency of waste collection and monitoring to enhance the sustainable waste management practices.