Factors affecting the sustainable solid waste management the case of Shashemene City, Ethiopia

Solid waste generation is an inevitable outcome of everyday human activities and therefore requires effective management. Rapid urbanization and population growth in Shashemene City have significantly increased the volume of municipal solid waste, creating serious challenges for the municipality in delivering adequate waste management services to residents. In response, this study aimed to assess the current solid waste management practices and the major challenges facing the system in Shashemene City, Ethiopia. Data were collected using questionnaires, interviews, field survey, and direct field observations. A total of 156 households were randomly selected and surveyed using both open-ended and closed-ended questionnaires, while key informants were purposively chosen and interviewed through semi-structured interviews. The findings indicate that the average household solid waste generation rate was 0.271 kg per person per day. The composition of solid waste in the study area was predominantly organic, with food waste and vegetable peelings accounting for 43.18%, followed by ash and dust (35.81%), leaves, wood scraps, paper, and cardboard (11.88%), and metal, glass, ceramics, plastics, and textiles (8.52%). The study further revealed that only 18% of household solid waste was collected by the municipality, resulting in large quantities of waste being indiscriminately disposed of in unauthorized locations. Moreover, the results highlighted poor governance in municipal solid waste management, limited financial capacity of the municipality, and low public awareness as major challenges affecting effective solid waste management in Shashemene City. Consequently, the study recommends promoting sustainable solid waste management practices, including reuse, recycling, and composting, alongside community awareness campaigns to enhance understanding of safe waste disposal and its importance for environmental protection and public health.