A THESIS SUBMITTED TO DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY, COLLEGE OF NATURAL SCIENCES, SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES ARBA MINCH UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Abstract

ABSTRACT Solid waste management is a serious problem in many developing nations. Knowledge of the quantities, compositions and identifying the socioeconomic factor influencing household waste generation are needed to plan and implement effective waste management activity. The study was conducted to assess socioeconomic factors affecting household solid waste generation and composition in Mojo town. Purposive and systematic random sampling techniques were employed in this study. The study design combined physical observation (measurement of daily solid waste at household level) and descriptive survey method by using questionnaires. The daily solid waste generated from household was sorted to its component and their weights were recorded. The solid waste collection has been conducted for seven consecutive days. The result of this study shows that, household waste generation rate is estimated to be 0.24 kg/capita/day and the daily, weekly, monthly, annually solid waste generation were 17.13, 119.9, 514 and 6168 tons respectively. The physical composition of solid waste of the town is dominated by organic waste (84%). Multiple linear regression analysis proved socio-economic factors influencing households’ solid waste generation. Family size, family income, level of education and marital status found to have positive correlation on HH waste generation and statistically significant at (P<0.05). Queof information on solid waste generation and composition. Thus, the study recommended, increasing awareness of the community, responsible bodies (Government, Community and Health Bureau) should pay attention to the issue, in order to improve the current poor solid waste management practices in the town.stionnaire result showed inadequate solid waste collection, storage, transport and disposal practice. Therefore, the solid waste management system of mojo town is poor due to lack of awareness, facilities and absence