Exploration of factors influencing poor solid waste management in three (3) selected compounds in Lusaka district

Abstract

In the city of Lusaka, the Local Municipal council sub-contracted franchise contractor companies to collect and dispose solid waste from zoned solid waste management districts through the private public partnership initiative. Despite this, the City of Lusaka has continued to experience sporadic indiscriminate disposal of solid waste by individuals, shop owners and communities members whose effect is clearly observed to be a factor causing blockages in the drainages resulting in running and stagnant water and pools along the roads, ponds and unused pieces of land. It is due to this cause that the author has been prompted to undertake this study. In terms of methodology, the researcher engaged a qualitative technique to conduct this study using a sample of 39 participants. The data was analyzed and the findings were indicating that indiscriminate disposal of waste is actually still an existing practice due to a combination of social economic factors, personal and behavioral traits such as greedy, low levels of illiteracy, indifferentism, etc. In terms of results, the participants’ responses were coded using Nvivo 14 software and the findings showed that the methods used for storage of waste were rubbish pits where they deposited their waste, solid waste bins, solid waste contractors whilst others said to have resorted to using the illegal wheelbarrow collectors and drainages. A few reported to have subscribed with the CBEs whilst the rest were assumed to be the ones responsible for indiscriminate disposal of waste. In terms of factors exacerbating this cause, the responses included; negative attitudes, low knowledge and attitudes, indifferentism, and lack of money to pay to the CBEs for solid waste services. In conclusion, the factors gathered to be exacerbating the indiscriminate disposal of solid waste were homogeneous in all the three (3) communities of study and as such some recommendations were developed such as the need to stiffen penalties and punishment to the would be offenders. Others included the need for the local councils to increase monitory visitations in these communities. The engagement of the CBEs was identified as key in helping to reduce waste in these areas though there is need to scale up the monitory of operations and coverage.