University Roject

CHAPTER 1

Introduction

1.1 Background to the Study
Solid waste is material that has no economic value at present, or material perceived as not having value at any given time and to a particular society (Ambasht 1999). Waste, garbage, trash, junk and refuse are all names given to that “stuff” that is no longer useful in its current form. In contemporary society, many of the items used daily are designed to be used and discarded. Thus, with the increased availability of disposables has come the added problem of how to get rid of all this waste (Chibanda 2000). Some of the challenges associated with solid waste disposal include the breeding of flies, cockroaches, mosquitoes and rodents as well as vectors of diseases like cholera, typhoid, malaria and plague to mention just a few (Evans 2004). However, besides the challenges associated with the poor solid waste disposal, the materials can offer opportunities to communities if properly handled.

Problems like insanitary conditions, difficulty of local authorities to manage refuse, high incidence of environmental diseases and increasing intolerance of community to insanitary environment has brought in a change in the way solid waste is managed. (Water Front Magazine, 1996). The change in strategy has created an opportunity like the availability and accessibility to a national Non Governmental Organization (NGO) with extensive and considerable community mobilization and development experience that has initiated participatory process of community empowerment, decision making and management. The initiating sector has been the local community. The participation of the community could bring about the active involvement of the community in all decision making stages of solid waste management, including policy making. Some of the strategies include reuse, recovery, reduction, recycling, composition as well as incineration. Solid waste minimization strategies minimizes the further exploitation of the scarce natural resources, thus containing the spreading of the ecological foot print (degradation) of the towns and cities in different parts of the globe Chibanda (2000).

Solid waste management, focusing on recovery has been done with a measure of success in the Western Europe where plastic waste tends to be sorted by hand, either at a materials recycling facility to the household level. The UK produced approximately 4.5 million tones of plastic waste each year, whilst in Germany; the recovery rate is 70% (Donnellan 2000). In Ohio State, (the US) nearly a tone of locally generated residential and commercial waste per resident is land filled each year. However a few states have mandated up to a 50% reduction in waste going to landfills. Some communities are establishing mandatory recycling programmes. Waste is no longer out of sight out of mind, but a visible part of public policy.

The exercise was also successfully carried out in countries like Kenya, where as part of their environmental campaign in Nairobi, a group called Uvumbuzi started a “garbage is money” campaign in October 1992, to promote solid waste recovery through community participation and in the process creating a source of livelihood for the poor (Vogler 1984). Community participation in solid waste management was also a good move in Antananarivo, Madagascar as it brought in some positive changes. Thus, in a city of 1 million people recycling and reuse of solid waste material through the manufacture of toys is a living proof that waste can be converted to money away from the health and environmental problems associated with the accumulation of the waste in many small towns and cities of the world (Water front magazine 1996). Banket town, especially the high density suburb is not exceptional to challenges associated with solid waste management. The local authorities cannot do it alone. It is for this reason that this project seeks to assess the participation of the community in addressing solid waste management challenges typical in Banket high density suburbs.

1.2 Statement of the Problem
Many local governments devote a substantial portion of their annual budgets to collecting, transportation and disposal of solid waste. The traditional approach to solid waste management focuses on end of pipe solutions that are capital and technology intensive and therefore costly. Unfortunately, many local authorities, especially in developing countries, like Zimbabwe, are finding it difficult to properly implement such solid waste management strategies. Several previous researches on solid waste management have focused on the above mentioned conventional end of pipe strategy, mainly putting the problem on local authorities.

Just like many other local authorities in Zimbabwe, Banket has also failed to adequately deal with solid waste, leading to accumulation of the waste due to indiscriminate disposal.(see plate 2) Rate payers have been up in arms against the council as other related problems, like the disease outbreaks and bad odour followed, making the environment unpleasant. The central problem has been the visible accumulation of the waste in the small town due to indiscriminate disposal. To avert the crisis and possibly bring some positive stages, this piece of writing seeks to bring in a new direction and strategy so that there would be no accumulation of solid waste. Alternative and more suitable ways of tackling these issues can be found by looking at the life cycle of the waste and reducing it at as many stages as possible. The waste minimization strategy is complemented by active participation of the community so that instead of being mere rate payers, they become part of the management process. The research focuses on the assessment of the participation of the community in solid waste management.

1.3 Objectives of the Study
The following are the objectives of the study

1.3.1 General Objective
To assess the participation of the community in solid waste management in Banket High Density Suburbs
1.3.2 Specific Objectives 1. To identify ways in which the community is involved in solid waste management. 2. To identify the benefits derived from the participation of the community in solid waste management. 3. To evaluate the challenges faced by the residents in solid waste management. 4. To assess the resident’s perception on community participation in solid waste management.

1.4 Research Questions 1. How is the community involved in solid waste management? 2. What are the benefits derived from the participation of the community in solid waste management? 3. What are the challenges faced by the community in solid waste management? 4. What is the resident’s perception on the participation of the community in solid waste management?

1.5 Significance of the Study Upon completion of the study, the researcher would have gained a lot of knowledge in solid waste management. The gained knowledge will later be applied in industries and other important sectors of the economy after completion of the course. The gained knowledge can even be passed on to fellow students for wider application in real life situations. Zimbabwe Open University will also benefit as one of the copies may be used as a reference material for the institution’s Library. Students, tutors and other interested professionals will have an opportunity to read the text. Other academic institutions also tend to benefit since students from such institutions would be allowed to enjoy the text or projects from Zimbabwe Open University.

A change in the way solid waste is managed is imperative and as such, policy makers would be able to appreciate the need for community participation in such projects. They may be forced to abandon top-down management strategies in favour of bottom up strategies where the communities as beneficiaries will be empowered in decision making. Stakeholders like Zvimba Rural District Council will also benefit through their appreciation of the need for them not to view residents as mere ratepayers but also as active members of the whole community. Other stakeholders to benefit would include non-governmental organizations and the Ministry of Health’s Department of Environmental Health. These stakeholders will have an opportunity to read the text and they may possibly benefit from one or two new things. The study will also go a long way in contributing towards sourcing solutions to waste generations and disposal thus helping in reducing the rate of waste accumulation for the community. The study will also raise awareness to the community as they will be called on to actively participate in solid waste management and in the process creating a sense of responsibility and belonging.

1.6 Delimitation of the Study
The study will focus on solid waste management. The subjects of the study would be drawn from the residents of Banket high density suburb as well as some important stakeholders like the local authorities and the Environmental Health Department. The subjects considered would be from 14 years and above. Only 3 wards would be looked at and other suburbs like low density commercial and industrial areas will not be looked at in detail.

1.7 Limitation of the Study
The study was limited by many factors which included:
Time: The period of study was short considering that it was done on part-time basis concurrently with other courses.

Funding: The study was self funded to cover costs like production of data gathering instrument, travelling, distribution and other collection of data. The funding was inadequate. This caused the size of the sample to be
Small.

Transport: Transport problems affected the study because of the unreliability and the need to fork out from own pocket to be able to visit the subjects.

1.8 Assumptions
1. The subjects are literate. 2. The subjects will answer the questionnaires and interview guides objectively and with honest. 3. Solid waste is a public health problem. 4. Community participation is voluntary.

1.9 Definition of Terms
Community-a group of people with the same values and norms within a society
Community participation-active involvement and empowerment of citizens inevery stage of a project
Disposal- finally getting rid of.
Receptacle- that in which refuses may be stored.
Recycle- collection, separation and clean up and processing of waste materials to products a marketable material or product.
Recover- diverting a waste material into a product with economic potential.
Reuse- using a product more than once, either for the same purpose or for an alternative purpose
Rubbish- consists of unwanted consumable and non combustible materialistic
Solid waste- products having the character of solid waste rather than liquids in that they will not flow readily, composed wholly or partly of such material as organic waste, cans, containers, tyres, junk and other such substances.
Solid waste management- a discipline associated with the control of generation, storage, collections, transfer and transport, processing and disposal of solid waste in a manner that is in accordance with the best principles of public health.

CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.0 Introduction * In this chapter, comments on what different authors say about problems encountered in managing solid waste the benefits, the process of solid waste management with community participation as well as possible improvements in solid waste management with community participation as well as possible improvements in solid waste management are highlighted. Thus the focus is on a critical review and analysis of the contributors from various authors regarding the whole process of solid waste management with active participation of the community.

1.1 Solid Waste
Miller and Tyller (1986) assert that solid waste can be described as any useless unwanted or discarded material that is not gas or liquid. It is generated by all sorts of means. Most of the waste comes from domestic and municipal consumption of goods, manufacturing, construction, agriculture and the generation and disposal of hazardous substances (Hester 2000). It therefore means that that solid waste would consist of products having the character of solid rather than liquids and that they will not flow readily without the additional liquid composed wholly or partly of such material as organic waste, cans, junk and other such substances (Chibanda 2000). The solid waste so generated can also be classified or be made into types. Thus, there could be recyclable waste which are useful objects but no longer wanted. These include scrap metal, glass, cans, paper plastics and wood. Another category would be toxic waste, the waste which could potentially contaminate the environment, meaning that it needs to be handled with care. This category would include electronic waste. The last category would be green waste, which comes from organic matter and is therefore biodegradable, like compost and yard clippings which can be composted and returned to earth. Solid waste in the least developed and low income developing countries is characterized by its high organic content (as much as 70- 80 percent) Extension Fact Sheet (1995).

2.2 Historical overview of solid waste management To the great benefit of archaeology, early solid waste management consisted of digging pits and throwing garbage into them. This created a record of the kinds of the lives that people like, the materials used to make eating utensils and other waste generations’ lifestyles. When human cites began to be more concentrated however, solid waste management became a serious issue. Houses that did not have rooms to bury their garbage would throw it into the streets. In response many cites started to set up municipal garbage collection teams which would dispose off unusable garbage. (Vogler 1984)

Despite the setting up of garbage collection teams, the move was not enough as people would be seen throwing bottles, fast food containers, wrappers, vegetable peelings and other items on the street or out of vehicle windows (Miller and Tyller 1986). Even in public transport like buses, it was fashionable to throw garbage through the window with most buses having the printed instruction “PLEASE GARBAGE OUTSIDE”. Miller and Tyller (1986) acknowledge that even New York City in the late 19th century, refuse accumulated in such large heaps along some streets that even impeded pedestrian and traffic. As a result, there was public concern over health hazards which eventually forced improved collection of waste in most cities. The problem was not solved but actually worsened. In most parts of the world, open dumping has been the commonest and oldest means of waste disposal. The open dumps were often the breeding places for rodents and insects vermin like flies and they would often contaminate surface and ground water through leaking and runoff.

The social and economic development of a country can cause an increase in solid waste production (Hester et al 2000). The industrialization of many countries in the world meant that there would be an increase in solid waste production, putting pressure on the environment and this increased the need for a reduction in the environmentally damaging activities such as open disposal of solid waste Baljeet (2001). Thus the growth of urban populations and economies in Africa has resulted in a corresponding growth of solid waste and municipal governments are finding it difficult to dispose off the waste. Existing dump sites are filling up and finding lands for new ones is becoming difficult owing to a scarcity of land within the municipal boundaries.

2.3 The concept of solid waste management
Solid waste management may be defined as a discipline which is associated with the control of generation, storage, collecting, transfer and transport, processing and disposal of solid waste in a manner that is accordance with the best principles of public health (Chibanda 2000). The aim of the system is to clean up the environment and see that the waste does not have a detrimental effect on our health and the environment. Highlighted in fig 2.1 is a solid waste management process diagrammatically.

Waste Generation

Waste handling, separation, storage and processing at source

Collection

Sorting

Transport and Transfer

Reuse, recovery and recycling
Disposal

Fig 2.1: The waste management process

Nowadays, solid waste management has gone a step further and not only plans proper disposal. Waste is no longer out of sight and out mind but now a visible part of public policy. Many local governments devote a substantial portion of their annual budgets to collecting, transporting and disposing of solid waste. The traditional approach to solid waste management focuses on end of pipe solutions that are capital and technology intensive, and therefore costly (http/ufccc.mt/essential). Alternative and more suitable ways of tackling these issues can be found by looking at the cycle of the waste reducing it at as many stages in the life cycle. Another concurrent attitudinal approach required is to adopt a “trash is cash” approach, looking at waste as resource rather than a refuse .Extension Factsheet (2005). Solid waste management differs from country to country and between urban and rural areas (Vogler 1984). Every community has its own unique waste. The composition of the waste varies depending on. This is often referred to as waste management ethic and includes the recycle ethic and the litter ethic of a community as sub categories. Community diversity and waste management has been accepted as the best method. Extension Factsheet (2005).

Since there is no preferred method, every community must create its own best approach to deal with the waste. This would bring in the concept of community participation. Prior to the realization that members of the community like residents could play an active role instead of being mere ratepayers, decision making was only limited to local authorities who were responsible for planning, organising and resource mobilization, while the community was just co-opted and made to pay for the services (Chibanda 2000). There are quite a number of practical examples where community participation brought in positive changes to solid waste management. In Ghana, Accra, communities were mobilized into zones with a competition and environmental cleanliness deadlines. A local non governmental organisation (NGO) only offered solid waste management equipment leading to a tidy environment (Water front magazine 1996). In Lagos (Nigeria) City Governor Bola Tinibu opened a new business employment to the people by launching a “Private Sector Participation Programme in waste management to get rid of the filthy state. A heap of solid waste were visible all over the state along highways, at street corners, in drains and in the river channels, since the residents had resorted to dumping waste indiscriminately making the city an eyesore. This programme granted private entrepreneurs who wished to venture into the business of solid waste collection some licenses and it was called “Waste to Wealth” (Greenline Jan-June 2008).

2.4 Solid waste management hierarchy
European solid waste management is particularly challenging. Environmental protection must be achieved without distorting the European internal market. Thus the European Union (1996) has in place firm principles upon which its approach to solid waste management is based and these include:
1. Prevention principles - solid waste production must be minimized and avoided where possible.
2. Producer responsibility and polluter principle – those who produce the solid waste or contaminate the environment should pay the full cost of their actions.
3. Precautionary principles – these are measures put in place to avoid disasters even without scientific proof.
4. Proximity principles – solid waste should be disposed off as closely as possible to where it is produced.

The above principles were made concrete in the 1996 EU general strategy on solid waste which sets out a preferred hierarchy of waste management operations. In much of the literature on solid waste, there is reference to the “waste management hierarchy”. This refers to an arrangement and ranking of solid waste management actions which can usually be carried out in the community by the residents (Uberoi 2003). At its simplest level familiarity is with reduce, reuse and recycle (RRR). This is ranking of the actions. Reducing the amount of solid waste produced as the first option. The next option is to reuse solid waste generated. The third option is to recycle materials (Wang 1988). The following diagram shows a solid waste management strategy in which there is a change from lower technology (landfill disposal) to high technology like (incineration recycling). This is part of solid waste minimization strategies which can be applied with the full participation of all the stakeholders including community residents.

The solid waste management strategy

Waste Prevention Present Emphasis
Product substitution
Non production of material

Save Reduction
Product formulation
Process modification
Equipment design

Recycling Higher Technology
Materials sorting
Materials separation
Materials refining
New product development

Treatment
Thermal destruction
Chemical destruction
Physical and biological

Disposal Past Emphasis
Landfill
Residual repository

2.5 Waste generation

Waste generation encompasses activities that are considered as no longer being of value and are either thrown away or gathered together for disposal (Chibanda 2000). It is an activity that is not easy to control at present. Solid waste management identifies the levels at which the highest values of individual and collective waste can be recovered. For this reason, the list starts with reduction – using less and using more thereby saving material production resource cost and energy ( Chibanda 2000).

Reduction strategies are any approaches that a community may use to lower the amount of waste being produced. Examples may include banning the use of plastic bags, working with manufacturers and retailers to reduce packaging material, surcharge on excess bags and incentives programmes for commercial and industrial reduction effort. Source reduction at generation level assumes the commitment and involvement of all citizens. Some reduction strategies have many favourable environmental impacts, including reducing greenhouse gas production, saving energy and conserving resources in addition to reducing the volume of the waste stream (Chibanda 2000).

The reduction of the waste generated may also occur if people are willing to change their habits and lifestyles to conserve natural resources and reduce the economic burdens associated with the management of solid waste. Continued health education should be done in order to achieve behaviour change in solid waste management (Uberoi 2003). Innovative strategies are needed to deal with the waste produced today to prevent it from causing problems for future generations. There are however a number of factors which may influence the amount of waste generated including legislation (Chibanda 2000). Another important factor would be economic whereby the more the abundant food, the greater the rate of garbage disposal (Vogler 1984).

Reduction of waste generation has been done in different parts of the globe with a measure of success. For example, in the City Vienna, Austria, for too long, the management of the economy has been marked by a narrow focus on the production of the goods, their supply and consumption, while waste management has been dealt with secondarily and in isolation. However, the authorities were able to re-examine and upgrade the principles of waste management as possible options to achieve a sustainable waste policy. In 1998 the City Vienna had a notable reduction in terms of mixed household waste. This was a result of waste management policy that started to tackle the different types of waste with different new approaches. A basic principle of ecological waste management was that any waste that can neither be recycled nor avoided must be pre-treated in such a way that it is not a future environmental problem. Spet Gerdhardt (1995).

2.5 Solid waste handling, separation and processing
Waste handling refers to activities associated with managing waste until it is placed in the containers used for storage before collection (Uberoi 2003). Handling depends on the type of waste materials that are separated for reuse and recycling. In areas where there is reuse and recycling of materials, it is important to give education on separation. For example, systems which would use incineration would require the separation of combustible from non-combustible materials (Uberoi 2003).

Besides separation, some solid waste requires processing for the purpose of recovering reusable and recyclable materials. This sorting can be done at household level or source and through the use of materials recovery facilities (MRFS). Mixed solid waste (dirty) is heterogeneous, while some separated materials are composed of specific components targeted for reuse or recycling. The primary objective of a material recovery facility (MRF) is the processing of raw solid waste into a marketable or usable end product. A variety of equipment is used in materials recovery facilities that include conveyors, shredders, magnetic separators, screens and densifiers (e.g. Balers). 2.6 Solid waste collection and transportation
The way that solid waste is collected and sorted influences the waste management options most effective to use. The collection method significantly shapes the recovery of materials, compost or energy. Collection is also the point of contact between the generators and the waste management system. Some collection method themselves involve lot of sorting (Chibanda2000).

There are various collection systems which can be used for effective solid waste management. One typical example is curbside collection system in which occupiers of premises are responsible for placing his or her metal or plastic bin at the front of his or her property or roadside and retrieve from there when it has been collected. This is the method which is most used in Zimbabwe (Chibanda 2000). The system is cheap and speedy and it also involves some community participation as the community is asked to place bins at the curb for collection. Other systems would include paper sack system, relay system, set out setback and set out system (Donnellain 2000).

Waste transportation is done with the use of vehicles specifically designed for that in separate containers. In North America, separate collections are most commonly used for any recyclables (papers, metals, glasses, plastics) kitchen waste and garden waste. The vehicle used to transport the waste should be ideal for the purpose. Thus, the vehicle should have a cover to prevent the exposure of the contents. It should also be watertight preferably to prevent leakages to ensure thorough cleaning. It should also be of adequate capacity in relation to the refuse. The type of refuse to be collected and the loading height should be considered .

2.7 Solid waste disposal
The more waste we generate, the more we have to dispose off. Some method of waste disposal release air pollution and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Waste recovery, recycling and reusing offer means of reducing the impact of waste disposal on the atmosphere even though there are other methods which are more environmentally friendly and to a large extent, allow community participation (Extension Factsheet 2005).
The most common disposal methods particularly the UK are landfill and to a lesser extent incineration. Incineration and disposal are the last options and are at the very bottom of the solid waste management hierarchy. Most people acknowledge that disposal will always be needed (the exception being those advocating for zero–waste policies). Chibanda (2000) argues that most urban and residential areas have high proportions of non biodegradable solid waste improperly disposed such as metals, glasses, plastics and paper which can be recovered for recycling and reusing. This is particularly the case with Banket where some people are disposing on land sides and in illegal dumping areas. He attributes this illegal dumping to local authorities who fail to collect the waste in residential areas on time, hence the need for a change in the way the waste is managed, which allows the communities to be active players in solid waste management and not be mere ratepayers. Such dumping sites destroy the nature’s aesthetic value and create environmental health problems to the community. Vogler (1984) claims that improper disposal of solid waste can create public health problems as well as pollution of air and objectionable odours. He also stated that improper disposal of solid waste can also be a problem causing siltation and turbidity (cloudy appearance) of water sources.

Solid waste tends to be dumped and converted into landfill. Although the landfill disposal method is very widespread, it is not without side effects like ground water pollution. As landfill waste decomposes, methane is released in considerable quantities, thus contributing to global warming.

A less common but more sustainable and integral component of solid waste management is anaerobic digestion of biodegradable waste. In this process, waste decomposes in an enclosed chamber, unlike in a landfill site. It requires the biodegradable section of solid waste to be separated from other materials and put into digestion chambers. However, the usage of anaerobic digestion as a sustainable solid waste disposal method is forecast to increase. Many other countries already utilised anaerobic digestion to dispose off large amounts of solid waste. Denmark, for example, treats 1.1 million tonnes of waste by anaerobic digestion every year (Donnellan 2000). Individual households in UK have practiced small scale composting for many years. It is a reduction strategy which individuals within a community can do (backyard composting). The predominant use of composting of leaf and tree waste alone can reduce landfill dependency by up to 12 percent (Extension factsheet 2005). The segregation of yard from other organic biodegradable waste is be necessary to avoid contamination of the compost which might render the much or end product less desirable. In general, disposal practices for solid and hazardous waste products have not been satisfactory in Zimbabwe and other developing countries. One of the most important solutions to these problems is to produce less waste reuse reusable waste and recycle recyclable waste (Chibanda 2000).

2.8 Solid waste recycling
Recycling is defined as the collection, separation and cleaning and processing of waste material to produce a marketable material or product. Recycling solid waste means that the fewer new products and consumables need to be produced saving raw materials and reducing energy consumption (Ladinosis 1999). However, recycling is constrained by a number of factors like market failure, where prices do not reflect environmental resource values, government failure, where policies put in place by the government may encourage inefficient practices. Some like Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, USA and New Zealand have made developments in recycling programmes through market development, increased frequency of collection, increased information and fiscal incentives. Some of the materials that can be recycled include papers, plastics, metals and rubber (Donnellan 2000).

2.9 Solid waste recovery / reuse
Reuse is using a product more than once, either for the same purpose or for an alternative purpose. Reuse does not require reprocessing and therefore, has lower energy requirements than recycling. Reuse includes making donations to charity, reusing packaging and using empty jars for food storage (Extension factsheet 2005).

Research shows that in Harare plans for waste recovery are under arrangement at Teviotdale dumpsite, where people will pay to recover materials from dumpsite for reusing (Chibanda 2000). Several community groups in Nairobi’s low income areas were found to be engaging in waste picking and undertaking waste recovery as income generating and environmental management strategy (Syagga 1992). As part of their environmental lobbying campaign in Nairobi, a group called Uvumbuzi started a” Garbage is Money” campaign in October 1984 to promote solid waste recovery as a source of livelihood for the poor (Vogler 1984). The same has also been successfully done in a village of Manarintsoa, located 20kms from the capital city of Madagascar Antananarivo. Thus children with the assistance of UNICEF were involved in craft industry through the manufacture of toy cars using empty cans from Nestle, Baygon and other mobile products (Waterfront 1996).

Solid waste recovery for reuse also plays a valuable resource conserving role. By recovering solid waste materials for reuse, further exploitation of scarce natural resources is minimized, thus, containing the spreading of ecological footprint (degradation of the cities and towns). Solid waste recovery for reuse benefits the less privileged and handicapped as they get food and clothes from the solid waste recovery process through donations from people with unwanted goods. It also returns the value attached to solid waste and cuts on other natural resources (Chibanda 2000). Despite these environmentally and socially beneficial aspects of solid waste recovery it is not without impacts which include exploitation by solid waste buyers and poor health living conditions for the urban poor, who deal in waste picking (UNEP 1998). In Asia, solid waste recovery initiatives are threatened by lack of protection to scavengers, thus fear of infection from diseases, lack of waste and lack of understanding on the importance and benefits of solid waste recovery, a barrier to waste recovery initiatives (UNEP 1998).

To put in a nutshell, no single solution completely answers the question of what to do with our waste. The panacea to solid waste management is to ensure the full participation of every citizen and fully supporting them. Every community has an existing form of solid waste recovery programme which however needs improvements from the technically qualified experts (Chibanda 2000).

CHAPTER II1

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY

3.0 Introduction
This chapter highlights the methods used in the collection of data for the purpose of this study and will justify why the methods were used. It is split into sub topics that focus on the research design, the sample, sampling procedure and the study area, research instruments and data analysis.

Three methods of data collection were employed. These were the interview administered questionnaires, formal interviews and field observations. The research instrument were easy to apply and also affordable. The collected data was presented in a variety of diagrams such as tables and different forms of graphs like pie charts and histograms.

3.1 Research Design
In order to solicit for the required information the research adopted a descriptive research design. Merriam and Simpson (1984) assert that a descriptive survey represent a broad category of techniques that need questioning as a strategy to elicit information. The descriptive design attempts to describe what was or what is in a social system. It gives thick description of how things are, starting the state of the art. It is a qualitative approach which is thought to be attractive because of its massive use of words, which is a specialty of most humans. The descriptive design discusses cases in their social context that is emphasizing on tracking the process and sequence of events in specific settings. The design rarely discusses variables, hypothesis but involves documenting real events, recording what people say, observing behaviour and studying written documents. Numerical information is used only to supplement the text and evidence which could have been gathered. Pannerselven (2009).

3.2 The Subjects
The subjects are the research participants that were used in the population under the study. The target group under the study was made up of residents of Banket High density suburbs. The other subjects involved in the provision of information were officials from Zvimba Rural District Council (ZRDC) and Environmental Health Department at Banket Hospital. The focus of this research was centred on assessing the participation of the community in solid waste management. The age group within the population ranged from fourteen years old .

3.3 Sampling Procedure
A sample of 100 units or households was selected from the 5 high density suburbs under the study. The cluster sampling method was used for the selection of 5 subjects. A cluster sampling is a procedure in which clusters e.g (suburbs) rather individual units are first selected from the population and observations are made on all individual units’e.g. households in each cluster. Thus, high density suburb formed a cluster and from each cluster simple random method was employed to select 20 households from each cluster or location. The simple random sampling is a procedure in which each sampling unit in the population has equal chance of being included or selected in the sample. Panneelsevan (2005). The simple random sampling method used has numbering run on the computer to select 20 households from each cluster or location. The sample was restricted to household heads from the age of 14 and upwards, these were the ones interviewed and the researcher filed in the responses to cater for the illiterate subjects. This allowed an even and equal demographic representation within the sample size. The simple random avoided bias such that every household within the location had an equal chance of being selected.

3.4 Description of the Study Area
Banket is a small town which is located 92 km North West of Harare, 20 km from Mashonaland West Provincial capital, Chinhoyi. The town is surrounded by a farming community mainly composed of newly resettled farmers who thrive on the production of maize, wheat, soya beans, market gardening as well as livestock rearing with Banket town being the market place for some of the farm produce .The town is managed by Zvimba Rural District Council and it also shares some district functions with Murombedzi growth point. It has three wards, five high density suburb and two low density suburbs. The study focused on the following locations, Kuwadzana Phase 1, Kuwadzana Phase 2, and Kuwadzana Phase 3, Cherima and New Stands. There are two secondary schools and three primary schools as well as a council, run clinic, Kuwadzana and the district hospital which is a referral center for the whole district. It enjoys an altitude of 1143 metres above sea level and optimal rainfall totals and temperature typical of natural farming region II. The town has a population of 9 586 people (statistics drawn from the council’s sub offices). Zvimba Rural District Council is traditionally mandated to provide the social economic services, amongst them solid waste management.

3.5 Research Instruments
The following techniques were used in this study to collect the required information.

3.5.1 Interview Administered Questionnaire Survey
A questionnaire is a document used as a data collection instrument. It contains a list of questions that the researcher intends to use for each respondent. Pannerselvan (2009). The qualitative data collecting instrument has both open and closed ended questions. The open ended leave room for the interviewee to say anything within the scope of the question whereas the closed question has possible answers given and the interviewee is limited to the choice provided
.
For this study it was economical to use this instrument as it provides room to ask questions for a specific purpose. The study used interview administered questionnaires, filling in the responses when asking the questions to cater for the illiterate subjects. It was suitable for this study because it allowed volumes of data to be acquired at one entry point. The questionnaire was designed to assess the participation of the community in solid waste management.

A total of 100 questionnaires were used to source the information required. The questionnaire gave the opportunity for respondents to air their views and knowledge of the topic under investigation. An interview administered questionnaire was used to collect data in residential areas. The questionnaire was in two parts, one for the profile of the respondents and the other section sought to access the residents’ perceptions and level of participation in solid waste management as well as general comments regarding the problem under investigation. The respondents were briefed about the questionnaire and the study’s intentions.

3.5.2 Formal Interviews
An interview is a conversation between the interviewee and the interviewer with a purpose (Pannerselvan 2009). It is one “initiated by the interviewer for the specific purpose of obtaining relevant information for the research”. It is mainly straight forward and non problematic. It is an extension of a questionnaire although it would take more time and involvement to collect the data.Thus, ‘for the purpose of obtaining relevant information on solid waste management, a formal interview was also applied. A structured interview guide was used in this study to collect information from environmental health department and the local authority, ZRDC. The interviews were complimenting the questionnaires in gathering better and immediate responses and probed for more specific answers from respondents. There was also flexibility and privacy in interviews behind closed doors. It is for this reason that the interview technique also been included in this research as a data collection tool. However the technique does have its own problem. The respondents may exaggerate the information, thus giving false information. The subjects may also hide some of the information from the interviewer because of being shy or may also be interested in the research topic such that response will be biased. The interview technique can also be time consuming and require careful preparation, as this involves arrangements to visit, securing the necessary permission and even confirmation of the arrangements. Compilation of notes obtained from the discussion into a report is also a mammoth task.

3.5.3 Field Observations
Visits to the high density suburbs to note and identify areas of concern were made. Visits were also made to observe the accumulation of solid waste, reuse, recovery and storage. Some photos were also taken in the process for evidence. Field observation helped to validate information obtained from questionnaires and interviewees. This technique was direct and cheap compared to other techniques. Human activities and events were observed as they were on the ground and analysed. Non linguistic aspects of human behaviour were easily observed and this helped to analyze language barriers. This also complimented the other two techniques highlighted.

3.5.4 Data Collection Procedures
The research subjects selected provided information needed on the research problems in Banket. Environmental health practitioners from Zvimba environmental health department and the township officials from the local authorities provided information on the health and ecological effects of waste accumulation and ways of properly managing solid waste. Appointments for interviews with research subjects were done using the telephone .For the residents; there were no specific dates although weekends were most utilized. There was no research assistant, thus the researcher worked on his own. The information obtained was treated with strict confidentiality.

3.6 Ethical Issues
Before carrying this research the right procedure of seeking permission to conduct the proposed project was sought and the local authority granted permission. The study dealt with a crucial issue, which could have been painted political and could have spoiled and cost the researcher and the image of the authorities. This was avoided by the researcher’s humble presentation and exposing the intentions of the research as this would have otherwise jeopardized the image of the organization and disrupt the data collection process.

3.7 Data Analysis
The data were computed and processed to obtain graphical presentation. The analysis was done with the aid of appropriate statistical packages and presentations were aided by pie charts and different types of graphs.

CHAPTER IV

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

Introduction
This chapter serves to present data obtained in this project from interview administered questionnaires, formal interviews and field observations. The data collected was organized for easy interpretation and analysis. The chapter dwells on background information of the population, source of waste or type of waste in Banket, waste generation, composition, storage, transportation and disposal. It also looks at resident’s views and perceptions on solid waste minimizations strategies as well as their participation in solid waste management. It also looks at views expressed by other stakeholders like the local authorities and Environmental Health Department as well as findings and observations made through field visits.

4.1 Background Information of Respondents
Table 4:1 VARIABLES | NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS AS % | SEX | | MaleFemale | 3070 | MARITAL STATUS | | DivorcedSingleMarried | 222454 | EMPLOYMENT STATUS | | UnemployedEmployedContract | 454015 | AGE GROUP | | LEVEL OF EDUCATION | 100 |

Table 4.1 shows that 30% of the respondents were male and 70% females. It also shows that a significant number of people (45%) are not employed although literacy level seem to be high, with at least 50% having reached secondary level and 22% tertiary. The most dominant age group interviewed is 21-30 years who form the majority of Zimbabwe’s youthful population.

Females were the ones mostly found at home during the time of study. Women are generally custodians of the environment at local level as they always interact with the environment through various household chores like yard cleaning and sweeping. Uberoi (2003) concluded that women in rural Africa are the ones most affected by environment. It therefore implies that gender plays an important role in environmental issues and that awareness campaigns on such issues need to be gender sensitive to foster the maximum participation of women who seem to be the dominant environmental managers. He also recommended the need to adequately involve women in making decisions related to environmental issues.

Figure4.2 Waste Generated at Household Level
Fig 4.2 shows the composition of the waste generated at household level. 40% of the waste generated is green, followed by paper with 20%. Other types of solid waste generated include plastics with 10% rubber (10%) glass (100%) as well as wood (5%) as neutrals.

It is this important to know how much of each type of solid waste is generated so as to be able to design the appropriate solid waste management strategies to handle the waste. A research carried out by Maigurira (2009) in Chinhoyi also showed that Green waste is the most common type of waste generated by households in the town of Chinhoyi. The green waste is the organic component of the solid waste and is reusable like food waste that is used as Stock feed and also for composting. Fig 4.2 showed that most of the waste generated in Banket high density suburb can be reused, recovered or recycled. Sigauke E (2008) carrying out a research in Community Based Organization in Waste Management in Epworth hinted that composting has not been widespread in practice throughout Epworth. This is also the same scenario with Banket Town even though composting on backyards does not require expert technical skills. Educating the community on the benefits of composting like improving soil fertility and stability would help popularize the exercise.

4.3Solid Waste Handling

Table 4:3 Solid Waste Handling Variables | Number of Respondents | Percentage % | Wrap food waste in newspaper | 10 | 10 | Putting plastics, papers, metals and food waste in separate bins | 30 | 30 | Putting all types of waste in one bin. | 40 | 40 | Compactions of the Solid waste | 5 | 5 | Grinding of the Solid waste. | 0 | 0 | Burning and open dumping | 15 | 15 | Totals | 100 | 100 |

The table in Fig 4.3 depicts how the residents handle their solid waste at household level. Most of the residents indicated that they put all their waste in one bin regardless of the type (40%). 30% of the respondents are however aware of the need to separate waste according to type. Compaction is hardly done whereas 15% of the respondents rely on burning and sometimes indiscriminately dumping the waste in the open space. 10% do wrap food waste in a newspaper and only 5% are involved in solid waste compaction to reduce the volume of the solid waste.

The information in table 4.3 shows that the majority of the respondents are not aware of the importance of separation of waste at generation level. The segregation of waste at household level facilitated materials recovery. For example, the segregation of yard waste from other organic (bio degradable) wastes is necessary to avoid contamination of the compost which might render the mulch or end product less desirable. Awareness campaigns would help change their waste handling system and this will turn lessen the burden on final disposal. In the U.K, the segregation of ferrous and non ferrous materials waste was encouraged since an incineration program was put in place and this helped in improving the equipment’s life span. Information, if proper separation is done at source, reduced the volume of refuse by up to 90%, leaving behind only ash, and resulting in less need for landfill space. Extension Fact Sheet (1995). Chibanda (2000) carrying a study in the city of Harare argued that every community has an existing form of waste handling which only requires some improvement and that incineration is not the only option universally, as is the case with Banket town where there is no incineration facility.

4.4 Waste Receptacles Used

Fig 4.4 shows a bar graph which depicts the different types of waste receptacles used by the residents for the storage of the generated waste. The majority of the respondents (50%) indicated that they use plastic bags whilst a substantial number (30%) indicated that they use mealie meal bags. Only 5% rely on metal bins and 1% rely on bulk containers.

Plastic bins are the most common possibly because they are affordable and can easily be transported for final disposal. Others indicated that they use mealie meal bags, which is in itself a solid waste reduction strategy instead of disposing the mealie meal bag; they were used as waste receptacles on good indicator that at least 30% of the respondents are aware that some materials have to be reused.

4.5 Waste Receptacle Provision

Fig 4.5 is a bar graph which depicts different stakeholders who are involved in the provision of waste receptacles for the storage of waste. It shows that 40% of the subjects got their receptacles from a Non Governmental Organisation (SAVE THE CHILDREN UK), whilst 25% got theirs from the community based social groups. Council only provided 5% whilst others indicated that they got their receptacles from an Industrial Cluster who provided the receptacle as part of their social responsibility program.

The involvement of the Non Governmental Organisations is a clear sign that they realized that the councils could not go alone in the management of solid waste. A survey carried out by the USAID (2006), through their Environmental Services Program (ESP) in Indonesia (Surabaya) showed that the local government supported solid waste management through the provision of waste bins and carts. The bins were designed for segregated organic and inorganic waste even though the community still mixed the garbage. This is contrary to Zimbabwe and Banket in particular, where the local authorities are hardly involved in solid waste management due to a multiplicity of challenging factors. The participation of the industrial cluster is also a welcome development which demonstrates that private players are also willing to complement government efforts in service provision. Public Private Sector Partnership (PPPs) has been widely described as the panacea to challenges related to service delivery and provision by the government and its departments

Fig 4:6: Rate of Waste Collection

Fig 4.6 shows a pie chart where 40% of the respondents indicated that their waste is collected once per month, 24% had theirs not collected at all, whilst 30% indicated that the waste is collected irregularly. Once a week, collection (5%) is not common whereas bi weekly is hardly done. The accumulation of the waste and other related environmental and health problems could be a result of the non collection of the waste. A research carried out by Maigurira (2009) on solid waste reuse and recycling potential in Chinhoyi concluded that the Municipality of Chinhoyi was not collecting waste in the high density suburbs like Coldstream, Gadzema, Chikonohono, Gunhill and Hunyani, resulting in the accumulation of waste and other health related challenges like cholera outbreaks experienced in 2008. Therefore the non collection of solid waste may not be peculiar to Banket High Density Suburb alone but could be a national problem affecting all local government authorities. If collected, the waste can only be removed when large piles of waste have been observed, a reactive and not proactive approach which is not sustainable.

4.7 Solid Waste Minimisation Strategies

Fig 4.7 shows that the most common solid waste minimization strategy is composting with as much as 60%, followed by reuse which has 20%. 18% resort to burning whilst just 2% are involved in some form of recycling.

Most probably, recycling is rarely possible because the community does not have the capacity to process the waste. Recycling is usually done by recycling companies which are mostly located in big cities like Harare. Chibanda (2000) assert that in recycling, waste materials are processed industrially and then reformed into near or similar products, hence its unpopularity among low income communities, just like Banket High Density suburb. He further argued that recycling is part of the solutions, not the whole solution. As such, other strategies like composting would be needed. Chibanda (2000), hints that solid waste generated in low income communities is organic and that even with 100% recycling the bulk of the problem will remain. Thus, the communities sometimes do not know what to do with the compost, as it may not have ready markets. Community based composting is not new, as it has been done in China, Indonesia, improvements in marketing strategy, the community of Banket are set to benefit in future as the practice has been approved by the Executive Board of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change as a baseline methodology for reducing methane.

4.8 Community Involvement in Waste Collection

Fig 4.8 shows that 70% of the respondents were not involved in solid waste management, whilst 30 indicated that they did play a part.

Fig 4:9 Equipment Used in Solid Waste Collection

Fig 4.9 shows a pie chart depicting the different types of equipment being used by the residents to collect the waste for disposal. 80% of the respondents indicated that they use other forms of equipment to collect the waste for disposal, the most common being a wheelbarrow. The respondents further indicated that they got the wheelbarrows from ah Non Governmental Organization, Save the Children (UK), who were actively involved in the clean up campaign which was done for some months by the locals who got allowances for US 25 Dollars for every ten working days. The council has not been able to adequately collect the waste for disposal since council tractor accounts for only 80%
.
Chibanda (2000), writing on challenges facing Municipal Authorities like Harare City Council, argued that most local authorities were not able to adequately deal with solid waste, hence the need for a paradigm shift to involve other private players and Non Governmental Organization. This also applies to the area of study where Save the Children (UK) came on board so that they could help in the Management of the town’s solid waste.

Local governments, non governmental organizations and research and training institutions have undertaken such projects with varying degrees of success.

Fig 4:10Respondents’ views on recovery of solid waste

Fig 4.10 shows that 40% of the respondents appreciate the need for solid waste recovery as it will help improve the environment. 20% also realize that one can earn a living through the recovery of solid waste. Another 20% of the subjects believe that solid waste recovery is a costly exercise and 5% of the respondents do not totally agree with the idea of solid waste recovery.

It therefore implies that if solid waste initiatives are put in place, some positive results would be realized with the support from other stakeholders since a substantial figure of the respondents do appreciate the environmental importance of solid waste recovery. There is also the need to carry out awareness campaigns to kick out the stigma and discrimination associated with waste picking for recovery since the waste pickers are treated with suspicion as the ordinary man think that waste recovery venture is for the poor and sometimes the mentally challenged citizens. It is also important to look at waste as a resource rather than a refuse so that an attitudinal change, trash is cash’ is adopted.
Maguirira W (2009) also recommend that waste picking for recovery is one of the easiest informal labour markets that new mature migrants can enter to survive in cities as it requires relatively few skills and often services as springboard to better employment opportunities in developing cities.

Fig 4: 11 Rating of solid waste collection

Excellent | Very Good | Good | Poor | Extremely Poor | 0 | 1 | 29 | 60 | 10 |

Table 4:11 indicates that 60% of the respondents are not satisfied with the collection of the waste as they rated it as being poor. Only 29% are satisfied that it is good, whilst 10% do not see anything good and progressive, as they rated it as extremely poor.
It seems the council which has been traditionally mandated to collect solid waste is failing to adequately deal with solid waste management. Failure to properly manage solid waste is not a problem to Harare only but affects all towns and cities in Zimbabwe” Chibanda (2000:37) Thus Banket is one of the towns in Zimbabwe and is thus, not spared from the challenges associated with Solid Waste Management. More support and participation of other private and public players will help the councils to adequately deal with the solid waste management challenges.

Fig 4:12 Problems related to the non collection of waste

Fig 4:12 shows that a lot of people do understand the problems associated with the accumulation of solid waste in their places. 40% indicated that flies and mosquitoes would breed in the waste whilst 25% are aware that non collection of solid waste would contribute to disease outbreaks. 20% of the participants also highlighted that there would be smells which would emanate from the rotting garbage, whilst 5% also think that these would contribute to the blockage of drainage system.

The above are some of the most common problems which are often associated with the non collection of solid waste. Accumulating solid waste, especially the green waste may attract maggots which are carriers capable of transmitting formites which results in disease like cholera. Mosquitoes and other flying insects were also associated with a variety of diseases like malaria, elephantiasis and yellow fever. The smells are objectionable and make the environment inhabitable.

4:13 Disposable methods used by the Residents

Fig 4.13 Disposal methods used by the residents
The pie chart as fig 4.13 shows the most common disposal methods used by the population in Banket High Density Suburb. 40% of the respondents said that most of the solid waste is left to decompose possibly in rubbish containers or pits in their different households, waste in the open spaces. 15% rely on the disposal of the solid waste in a land fill whereas another 20% just bury the accumulating waste.

It has been previously argued that most of the solid waste in the least developed and low income developing countries is characterized by its high organize content, with as much as 70-80% of the generated waste being organic. Uberoi (2003). This has also been confirmed by the result, where 40% of the residents rely on decomposition of the waste. It also reveals that the council is not doing enough since only 15% rely on council run landfill system, whereas 20% rely on open dumping, a bad practice which might lead to the littering of the environment.

On how the respondents were contributing to the solid waste management in their neighbourhood, 30% indicated that they usually participate in clean up campaigns organized by the community leaders. At least 50% also indicated that they do recover solid waste at household level through different means, whereas 20% do educate others on the proper solid waste management systems. 10% are involved in waste picking so that the environment is free from litter.

This reveals that most people do participate in solid waste management in different ways. A regional workshop initiated by Waste Convention, a non governmental organization in Dhaka, Bangladesh, recommended the strengthening of the capacity for both formal and informal waste pickers and other community groups so that their contribution in solid waste management is appreciated by policy makers like the local authority Uberoi (2003). This is the same scenario with the informal waste pickers and the community social groups in Banket. Waste picking is one of the easiest informal labour markets which can be harnessed together with the “trash is cash” approach.

Table 4:14: (Rating of Community Participation) In Solid Waste Management

Excellent | Very Active | Active | Passive | Very Poor | 0 | 0Number of | 20Responses | 60 | 20 |

On the level of community participation, table 4.14 shows that 60% of the subjects indicated that their response was passive, whist 20% indicated that their participation is even poorer, with 20% pointing to the active participation by the community.

This reveals that the level of community organizations is still very low. There is need to organize the community so that every member of the community would be playing an active and significant contributory role to solid waste management. Recognition of informal community groups need to be emphasized so that their contributions are recognized by the policy makers and in the process, encouraging the participation of all citizens. 4:15 Challenges Associated With the Participation of the Community in Solid Waste Management

Fig 4.15 shows some of the challenges associated with the participation of the community in solid waste management. As depicted, 30% of the population pointed to the lack of support from the local authorities, whilst 30% highlighted discrimination from some community members. 20% pointed lack of motivation as a challenge to their full participation in solid waste management. Other challenges which were highlighted include resistance from some of the residents as well as apathy and sense of hopelessness.

The local authorities were traditionally mandated to provide waste management services and the participation of the community in solid waste management might be a new phenomena hence the need for the local authorities to realize the contribution made by informal community based organizations. Waste picking is normally associated with the poor and sometimes the mentally challenged persons. As such, those who venture into waste recovery are discriminated and this discourages their participation. It is also high time that people realize that waste is a resource and not a refuse so that the waste pickers and those involved in any solid waste management venture are given some form of motivation like providing them with higher and regular income and better working conditions. Behaviour change may be achieved through environmental education and promotion so that no one would resist the idea of the participation of the community in solid waste management.

The majority of the respondents suggested that the participation of the community is a noble idea which however would require the participation of every citizen. They also pointed to the idea of kicking out discrimination for those who participate and also equipping them with relevant tools like shovels, protective clothing and equipment as well as transport. The need to establish local recycling centres so that the waste pickers are motivated through earning some income from the recycling companies is also important. There is also the need for NGOs to continuously participate in such programmes and not to wait for disasters like Cholera outbreaks as was the case with Banket Town.

Findings from Local Authorities and Environmental Health

4.16 Findings for Local Authorities
The local authorities’ township superintendent revealed that the amount of waste generated by residents, on a daily or weekly basis is not easy to quantify but was quick to point out that council do provide waste receptacles to residents free of charge. The officer also indicated that they offer plastic bags mainly because they are affordable since the council is economically challenged.

The superintenant also hinted that the solid waste is not regularly collected since most of the waste management vehicles are down. The collection is done when they are piles of accumulating waste since there would be no transport to collect the waste for disposal. The council relies on controlled land filling though the superintenant indicated that the site is almost full, hence becoming a nuisance to the public .On waste handling, sorting is rarely done since the council does not have adequate funding and manpower although the council has employed a waste management attendant to control the illegal dumping of the solid waste. The council has tried to implement a number of solid waste minimization strategies but funding was hampering progress. Some of the measures included establishing recycling agency. The officer indicated that the council is moving towards implementing community based solid waste management by engaging private players, the community and NGOs. Lack of resources is said to be negatively affecting the operations of the council in as far as solid waste management is concerned. 4.17 Findings from the Environmental Health Department The District Environmental Health Officer for Zvimba district revealed that the council needs to involve all stakeholders in waste management so that management strategies are put in place. He hinted that a holistic approach is needed to move away from the notion of viewing residents as mere rate payers but active members of the whole process. He argued that the council relies on end of pipe system, mainly focusing on collection and disposal, instead of looking at other alternatives like encouraging community participation as well as putting in place long term strategies to deal with solid waste. It was also established that it was his department’s core business to educate the public on good solid waste management practices and was not only limited to Banket town but to the whole district since they do have Environmental Health Technicians in various wards of the district. He argued that legislation in Zimbabwe was traditionally fragmented, making the coordination difficult although the newly Environment Management Act administered by Environmental Management Agency is all encompassing. Solid waste management can be improved if much attention is given to the problem, especially funding and that the problem is treated as a public policy problem and not as a secondary public issue, especially considering the health and the environmental problems associated with the poor solid waste management.

4.18 Field visits (Observations) Visits to the high density suburb were made to validate information obtained from questionnaire and interviews, as well as adding any observation related to the subject under the study, a visit to the locations indicated that some resident are resorting to roadside dumping as a last minute desperate measure to get rid of the solid waste. Piles of accumulating solid waste ranging from plastics, glasses, green waste and metal were observed and the green waste also attracted some flies, mosquitos as well as some odour.{see plate 2} However, at the dump site, some few individuals were picking valuable materials for reuse but they indicated that they were not happy due to the stigma attached to the scavenging of the solid waste. The scavengers also indicated that they also fear for their health, as there is risk of infectious diseases and injuries. They were prepared to quit the practice if offered better employment. Thus, there is need for personal protective equipment and clothing to ensure that they are protected from such hazards. Scavengers revealed that they can earn more income compared to some farm workers through recovery of glass bottle, metal and waste paper. They revealed that they sell the valuables like waste paper to some recycling agency that later send the papers to major recycling companies like Kadoma board and paper mills that make book paper, tissue paper and wrapping paper.{see plate 5} A certain group of informal traders were also observed along the highway and are involved in solid waste recovery and reuse. They are involved in the manufacture of toys using old vehicle tyres, empty cans and wood. Some photos of the decorated toys ranging from tractor to cars were taken, ready for sell to travellers who pass along Lomagundi high way. Some barriers discovered included lack of support from the local authority as well as lack of ready markets to sell the recyclables and the reusable. {See plate 4}

CHAPTER V
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.0 Introduction
This chapter dwells on the conclusion drawn from the study on the participation of the community in waste management. It also focuses on recommendations to policy makers, non governmental organizations and other interested stakeholders like the academics and researchers. The recommendations are possible avenues which can be used by all the concerned citizens in ensuring a clean, health and attractive environment conducive for human habitation as a result of community participation in solid waste management.

5.1 Summary
From the results presented, analysed and discussed, it can be concluded that women are generally the custodians of the environment as they were the most active in issues related to environmental management like yard cleaning. The most common form of waste generated is green waste of which the respondents would resort to composting as a way of managing the waste. It was also discovered that most of the residents are not aware that waste can be separated at household level so that it can easily be dealt with at the next level. Most of the residents also rely on plastic bags as receptacles possibly because they are cheap and easy to transport and others rely on mealie meal bags for waste receptacle, a welcome development since it is in itself a waste reduction strategy. Most of the receptacles also came from the NGOs and other private players like the industrial cluster. It can also be concluded that the council does not collect the household waste. The majority of residents resort to composting as one of the solid waste minimization strategies whilst recycling is very uncommon possibly because of the unavailability of recycling centres within the locality of Banket. The composting is enhanced by simple and locally available equipment, mainly provided by the NGOs like shovels and wheel barrows, whilst the council is not all the active in the provision of equipment for solid waste management. The majority of the respondents also appreciated the need for solid waste recovering although a certain quarter do not see any value attached to solid waste recovery. The subjects under study also hinted that they are not satisfied with solid waste management services being offered by local authorities, hence the need to involve other stakeholders. The poor services delivery has also been linked to the accumulation of solid waste as well as promoting the breeding of mosquitoes and files, thus endangering the lives of many people. It can also be noted that the community is in one way or another involved in solid waste management though more organization at local level would be needed. The Local Authorities do not have adequate funding to seriously deal with solid waste although some efforts have been put in place, like employing a waste attendant. The technocrats from Environment Health Department hinted the need for a change on the part of the council so that they employ a holistic approach involving every citizen and interested stakeholders as well as funding to support the public policy venture. It can also be concluded that some residents do practice solid waste reuse like making toys and that some are benefitting for the sale of recyclables though a lot still needs to be done in terms of organization. By and large, the council is failing to provide satisfactory waste management service as evidenced by the observed accumulating solid waste in illegal dumping, hence the need to seriously consider community participation in solid waste management.

5.2 Recommendations
Listed below are recommendations which can be put in place so that there is meaningful and active participation of all citizens in solid waste management so as to attain a clean and healthy environment for Banket high suburb and other places in Zimbabwe and beyond.

1. The local authorities should subsidise commercial recycling dealers so that they also operate in small towns like Banket at full scale.

2. The local authorities can alternatively install processing facilities and lend them to dealers at no or little cost.

3. There is need for co-ordinated approach from the private, public, informal, the community and civil society organization. Participation of community in solid waste management is a complex process that requires inputs from these institutions. The coordination should view all the players involved as equal especially the informal sector which has previously been ignored when it comes to policy making though its contribution has been significant.

4. There is need to put up bottom up strategies which ensure that the communities are involved at every stage of such community based projects like at planning, implementation and evaluation so that they develop a sense of belonging and become more responsible citizens. Top down approaches ideally ignore the beneficiaries such that the project ceases to be community based.

5. There is need to carry out health promotional campaigns so that the community is educated on the benefits associated with a clean environment and the health problems which may result due to poor solid waste management. 6. There is also need for more funding so that all the necessary equipment needed for proper solid waste management is acquired. 7. There is need for publicizing the newly environmental management act which is all encompassing and holistic since most people, especially policy makers still rely on fragmented environmental laws. Law enforcement agents like the police, environmental health practitioners and other professionals need to come together to devise ways of enforcing legislations related to solid waste management.

8. Encourage local authorities to promulgate by-laws and regulations to specifically curb illegal waste dumping and littering.

9. The central government should put in place some incentives fro companies who invest in solid waste minimization strategies with the full participation of the community, like subsidizing taxes.

10. There is need to establish ready markets for back yards compost designed by communities like promoting the use of organic fertilizing instead of the conventional ones.

Ap
Plate 1Waste receptacle provided by the industrial cluster.

Plate 2 indiscriminate disposal alongside the road

Plate 3 waste receptacle provided by the council

Plate 4 waste reuse

Plate 5: waste scavenging and recovery

Interview Guide: Environmental Health Department

1. Are there any shortfalls in the waste collection system employed in Banket? 2. If, yes what are the shortfalls? 3. If there are any shortfalls, where does the waste accumulate? 4. Is there enough public education on solid waste management? 5. How is the public educated on solid waste management? 6. Does the existing legislation adequately deal with domestic solid waste management? 7. Is the legislation on solid waste management adequately enforced? 8. How can solid waste management be improved? 9. How can you incorporate community participation in solid waste management? 10. What are the Environmental and health implications poor of solid waste management?

Interview Guide: Local Authorities
1. Do you provide waste receptacles to the residents?
2. If yes, at what price?
3. What type of waste receptacles is provided?
4. How much solid waste do the residents generate on a daily or weekly basis?
5. How much solid waste do residents generate on a monthly basis?
6. How often is domestic solid waste collected in Banket?
7What type of equipment is used to collect the waste?
8. How much does the council charge the residents for waste collection?
9Where is collected waste dumped by the council?
10. Which method of disposal is practised?
11. What measures have been taken to reduce the amount of waste sent to disposal site?
12. What are you doing to ensure the involvement of the community in solid waste management?
13. What are the challenges associated with the participation of the community in solid waste management?

Questionnaire Residents
Thank you for taking time in responding to this questionnaire .It attempts to solicit information on solid waste management. You are kindly requested to respond to this questionnaire to the best of your knowledge .Please note that response will be strictly for academic purposes Questionnaire for only and treated with total confidentiality .
Thank you.

SECTION A : RESIDENT`S PROFILE
(Tick the appropriate box)

1. Gender Male Female
2. Age 3. Marital Status Married Single Divorced 4. Level of education Primary Ordinary Advanced level Tertiary 5. Employment level Employed Unemployed Contracts

SECTION B
6. What kind of waste do you generate?

Paper Plastic Green waste Rubber Glass Wood Cloth Metals Leather

7. How do you handle solid that you generate?
a) Wrap food waste in newspapers
b) Putting plastics, papers, metals and food waste in separate bins
c) Putting all types of waste in one bin
d) Compaction of solid waste
e) Grinding of solid waste

8. What type of receptacles do you use? Metal bin Cardboard box Plastic bin Mealie meal bag Bulk container Sack 50 Litre containers

9.) Who provides the waste receptacles/ bin? Community owned Council NGO 10. How often is the waste collected for disposal Once a week bi weekly once per week After midnight not collected irregularly
11. How do you minimise the waste that you generate? Recycling burning Grinding Incinerate composting
12. Are you involved in waste collection? Yes No
13. If yes to question 12 , what type of equipment do you use ? Tractor Lorry
14. What are your views with regards to recovery of material from solid waste?
a) Not good idea
b) Will improve our environment
c) It is a costly exercise
d) People will laugh at you
e) Can be a form of income generation

15. How do you rate waste collection in Banket High Density Suburb? Excellent Very Good Poor Extremely Poor

16. What problems do you encounter if waste is not collected? Groundwater pollution bins Smells from rotting garbage waste blockingage system Files and mosquitoes breed in the waste

17. How is most of your waste disposed of f? Dump in a land fill Left to decompose Dump in open space dump in rivers & steams Burying

18How are you contributingto solid waste management in your area? On collection to disposal site By recovering waste at household level Burying waste in open dumps Educating the public on solid waste management Participating in clean-up campaigns organised by the community leaders

19. How do you rate community participation in solid waste management in your areas? Excellent Very active Passive Very poor

20. What are the challenges associated with the participation of the community in solid waste management?

a)Lack of support from local authorities
b) Resistance from the residents
c) Discrimination from some community members
d) Lack of transport
e) No motivation
f) Apathy and sense of hopelessness

21. What are your suggestions and comments with regard to participation of the community in solid waste management.

THANK YOU

References 1. Ambasht P.K (1999) Environmental and Pollution .An ecological approach 3rd Edition. New Delhi. 2. Balject.S. Kapaor (2001) .Environmental Sanitation published by S.Chand and Co Ltd . 3. Chibanda D (2000). Waste Management in the city of Harare. Zimbabwe. 4. Donnellan C (2000). Waste and recycling volume 14.Independent publisher. 5. Evans E.J (2004) Tropical Hygiene 2nd Edition London. 6. Extension Fact Sheet (2005) Waste Integrated Solid Management. Independent Publisher. 7. Green line Magazine Jan-June (2008); Environment Africa. 8. Hester R.E and Hasrizan R.M (2000). Environmental and Health Impact of SolidWaste Management Activities. Published by the Royal society of chemistry. 9. http/ufcc.mt/essential. 10. Lardinosis and Van de Kiundet (1998). A Plastic Waste options for small scalerecovery tool.A publication in the urban solid waste series. 11. Maigurira W (2009);Waste Management challenges in Chinhoyi urban .Research Project. 12. Merriamand Simpson (1984) Research Techniques: 1st Edition. 13. Miller and Tyler (1986) .The World Bank Encyclopedia.1st Edition. 14. Pannerseeva (2009). Research Methodology published by Prentice Head of India Private Limited New Delhi.

15. Sigauke E (2008). Community Based Solid Waste Management. (Epworth). Research.Unpublished. 16. Spet G (1995). Environmental Global Crisis. 2nd Edition. 17. Syagga A (1992) Urban Sanitation 1st Edition,London 18. Uberoi NK (2003)-Environmental Management 2nd Edition .New Delhi. 19. UNEP.IUCN (1996). International Source book on environmentally sound technologies for Municipal solid waste management. New York. 20. Vogler J (1984) Small Scale Recycling of Plastics. International Technology publications. 21. Water Front Magazine issue 8 UNICEF. 22. Wang L.K and Pereira (1988) Handbookof. Environmental Engineering Solidwaste processing and resource recovery volume2 .Humana andPress. New Jersey.

References: 1. Ambasht P.K (1999) Environmental and Pollution .An ecological approach 3rd Edition. New Delhi. 2. Balject.S. Kapaor (2001) .Environmental Sanitation published by S.Chand and Co Ltd . 3. Chibanda D (2000). Waste Management in the city of Harare. Zimbabwe. 4. Donnellan C (2000). Waste and recycling volume 14.Independent publisher. 5. Evans E.J (2004) Tropical Hygiene 2nd Edition London. 6. Extension Fact Sheet (2005) Waste Integrated Solid Management. Independent Publisher. 7. Green line Magazine Jan-June (2008); Environment Africa. 8. Hester R.E and Hasrizan R.M (2000). Environmental and Health Impact of SolidWaste Management Activities. Published by the Royal society of chemistry. 10. Lardinosis and Van de Kiundet (1998). A Plastic Waste options for small scalerecovery tool.A publication in the urban solid waste series. 11. Maigurira W (2009);Waste Management challenges in Chinhoyi urban .Research Project. 12. Merriamand Simpson (1984) Research Techniques: 1st Edition. 13. Miller and Tyler (1986) .The World Bank Encyclopedia.1st Edition. 14. Pannerseeva (2009). Research Methodology published by Prentice Head of India Private Limited New Delhi. 15. Sigauke E (2008). Community Based Solid Waste Management. (Epworth). Research.Unpublished. 16. Spet G (1995). Environmental Global Crisis. 2nd Edition. 17. Syagga A (1992) Urban Sanitation 1st Edition,London 18 19. UNEP.IUCN (1996). International Source book on environmentally sound technologies for Municipal solid waste management. New York. 20. Vogler J (1984) Small Scale Recycling of Plastics. International Technology publications. 22. Wang L.K and Pereira (1988) Handbookof. Environmental Engineering Solidwaste processing and resource recovery volume2 .Humana andPress. New Jersey.