ASSESSMENT OF HOUSEHOLD SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN

Abstract

Solid waste management is crucial for ensuring a sustainable and healthy environment. Poor solid waste management practices pose significant risks to the environment and public health. This study aimed to assess the environmental risks that are associated with solid waste management practices in Juba Town. Three payams/districts namely Juba, Muniki, and Kator were purposefully selected as sampling sites in the study. Data for assessing of solid waste management practices and factors that cause environmental/public health risks in the study area were collected using questionnaires, interviews, and FGD. In addition, door-to-door household solid waste collection from 30 sample respondents (10 from each payam) was employed to characterize waste composition and estimate the generation rate. The data was analyzed using SPSS software and tables, figures, percentages, and frequencies were used to present the results. A chi-square test was employed to analyze the degree of association between different study variables. The study revealed that there was poor solid waste management practice. 52 % of respondents indicated that collection and disposal services do not reach all areas of the town. Even in areas where services are provided, the frequency of collection is often insufficient. Moreover, 52.9% testified dissatisfaction with the municipality's waste collection service. Major factors for environmental and public health risks in the study area include inadequate waste management systems (19.6%), improper disposal practices, lack of public awareness and education (13% each), and ineffective regulatory framework (11.6%). As a result, air pollution, soil contamination, and water contamination are impacted by 39.13%, 34.1%, and 26.81%, respectively. A relatively uniform waste generation rate (0.433kg per household/day) was observed across all payams (χ² = 0.001, df = 2, P > 0.05), with no significant differences in the average rate. Plastic bags food wastes and pieces of old clothes were significant components of household waste constituting 26.1%, 23.2%, and 19.6%, respectively. A comprehensive public awareness campaign should be launched to educate the local community on the importance of proper waste management practices, the environmental and health risks associated with improper disposal, and the role of individual citizens in maintaining a clean and sustainable environment.