Senior Essay on: An Assessment for the challenges of Solid

Waste Management System in case of Adigrat town

A senior proposal submitted in partial fulfillment for the requirements for the
Bachelor of Art (BA) degree in Geography and Environmental Studies

By
ADANE SHUNTE

ADVISOR: ABINEH TILAHUN (Ass. Prof)

June 2017
Adigrat University
 APPROVAL SHEET OF SENIOR ESSAY
ADIGRAT UNIVERSITY

College of Social Science and Humanities

Department of Geography and Environmental Studies

An Assessment for the challenges of Solid Waste Management System

in case of Adigrat town

Name of Advisor Signature Date

………………………. …………………. ……………..…...

Name of Examiner (1) Signature Date

……………………… ………………… …………………...

Name of Examiner (2) Signature Date

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Above all I would like to thanks the almighty God for the completion of this paper. I wish to
express my sincerely and deepest gratitude to my adviser Mr. Abineh Tilahun (MSC) who has
given previous times to read the paper and make available procession and technical comments on
all its parts throughout the study. I would also like to offer my sincere gratitude to Ato Tewelde
Beyene, Adigrat town municipality core process of sanitation and beautification in the position
of Environmentalist his willingness and patience in replying to the interviews and allow
accessing of secondary data. In addition, I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to
workers of sanitation and beautification in the position of environmentalists and all respondents
who were kind to cooperation and willing to give genuine information for preparation of the
main body of this study. I would like to express my deepest respect to my beloved family for
their financial and moral support. Finally I would like to say thanks my classmate students and
friends for supporting by idea and appreciates my research paper.
Thank you for all people who do not mentioned above but were supporting me.
 ACRONYM
ECZ .Environmental Council of Zambia

EPA .Environment Protection Agency

IDP .Integrated Development Plan

NUPI .National Urban Planning Institute

RUPI .Regional Urban Planning Institute

UN United Nation
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS....................................................................... i
ACRONYM ............................................................ ......... ..ii

TABLE OF CONTEiIi
LIST OF TABLES v

LIST OF FIGURES v

ABSTRACT.............................................................................................................vi
CHAPTER ONE
1. INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................1
1.1. Background of the study ..........................1
1.2. Statement of the problem ........................... 2
1.3. Objectives of the study ............................2
1.3.1. General objective
...............................2
1.3.2. Specific objective .................................3
1.4. Research questions ............................. .3
1.5. Significance of the study ........................... ..3
1.6. Scope of the study ...............................…3
1.7. Organization of the paper ........................... 3
CHAPTER TWO
2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1. Meanings and concepts of solid waste .. ............... .4
2.2. Solid waste management .......................... .4
2.3. Challenges of solid waste management . ................ 4
2.4. Policy option for urban solid waste management ............ 5
2.5. The role of community based management of solid waste. .. ..6
2.6. Methods of solid waste disposal ..................... 6
2.6.1. Landfill
........................................6
2.6.2. Combustion
..................................6
2.6.3. Recycling
......................................6
2.6.4. Incineration
..................................7
2.6.5. Open burning ..
................................7
CHAPTER THREE
3. DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA AND METHODOLOGY
3.1. Historical Background ............................. .8
3.2. Physical aspect
..................................9
3.2.1. Location and size ...............................9
3.2.2. Topography
..................................9
3.2.3. Climate .
....................................10
3.2.4. Demographic and socioeconomic aspects .............................10
3.2.4.1. Population size ...............................10
3.2.5. Economic activity
…...............................11
3.2.6. Infrastructure Development …........................11
3.3. Research Methodology .............................11
3.3.1. Research Design ................................11
3.3.2. Source of data .. ............................. .12
3.3.3. Sample size and Technique …........................12
3.3.4. Methods of data collection .......................12
3.3.6. Method of data analysis and presentation ….............13
CHAPTER FOUR
4. RESULT AND DISCUSSION
...............................14
4.1. General characteristics of respondent ..................…14
4.2. Problems of solid waste management system ............. 16
4.3. Benefit of solid waste management ....................20
CHAPTER FIVE
5. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
..........................21
5.1. CONCLUSION .
...................................21
5.2. Recommendation ............................... .21
REFERENCES
......................................22

LIST OF TABLES
Table 3.1: Rainfall data of Adigrat .................. ....10
Table 4.1: Classification of respondent by age group ...….......14
Table 4.2: Sex structure of the respondents ...............14
Table 4.3: Education status of respondents ............... 15
Table 4.4: Martial status of respondent ….................15
Table 4.5: Distribution of respondent by occupation .........15
Table 4.6: Problems of solid waste management system ..... ... 16
Table 4.7: Challenges of solid waste management ..........16
Table 4.8: Magnitudes of solid waste problem ............…...16
Table 4.9: Degree of solid waste management system ........ .17
Table 4.10: Source solid waste ......................... .17
Table 4.11: Community participation on solid waste management ...…17
Table 4.12: Factors affecting community participation on solid waste management
................................................................................................................................…18
Table 4.13: Stake holder of solid waste management . ........... 18
Table 4.14: Management of solid waste ..................... 18
Table 4.15: Methods of solid waste management … .. .......... 19
Table 4.16: Benefits of solid waste management ............. …20

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 3.1: Location map of the study area ................. ... 9
Figure 3.2: Observation on solid waste sites .................. 13
Figure 4.1: Methods of solid waste management system ......... …19

ABSTRACT
Solid waste management is becoming a big challenge for the city administration in many
developing countries mainly due to the magnitude of rapid urbanization and increasing
population growth which in turn have greatly accelerated the municipal solid waste generation
rate in the urban environment. The major objective this study is to assess the challenges for solid
waste management system in the case of Adigrat town. The object of the study contains general
objective and specific objective. The specific objectives are identify the major sources of solid
waste generation in Adigrat town, locate the present solid waste site in the Adigrat town, assess
the problems of solid waste management around the solid waste sites on the community and
identify the effects of poor solid waste management system in Adigrat town. In order to achieve
this objective of the study, the researcher use different types of data collection instruments
namely questionnaire, interview and observation. Data is obtained from both primary and
secondary data sources. Primary data sources through questioners, interview and observation.
And also secondary data sources are collect from written materials and documents. There are
two types of sampling techniques, these are random or probability sampling and non-random or
non-probability sampling. Random or probability samplings are simple random sampling,
systematic sampling, stratified sampling and cluster or multistage sampling. For this study
simple random sampling techniques was used the study population. For this study the researcher
take 72 samples out of the quantity in the study area. The result shows that generally poor solid
waste management system is a serious problem in the world. Poor solid waste management
system is a challenge of city authorities in developing countries due to the increasing generation
of waste, lack of understanding about the challenges of solid waste and other problems has their
own challenges for environment and health. To reduce this problem increases the awareness the
people one important issue to manage poor solid waste management. But also effective solid
waste management system is important activities and action required to manage waste from its
inception to the final disposal. This includes among other things collection, transport, treatment
and disposal of waste together with monitoring and regulation.

Key Words: Solid waste, disposal, management,

CHAPTER ONE
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background of the study
Solid waste management is a big and serious problem in many of the world large urban areas as
their population is increase as a result of the combined effects due to growth and migration for
better job and better life. Increased population in urban areas has led to ever increase quantity
and diversified domestic solid waste generation while the spaces for disposal are decreasing
(World Bank, 1999).
Solid waste is a serious problem especially in developing country in the world. The consequence
of the solid waste is growing quantity, for the cause environment pollution and the contamination
water. A waste is not an orderly product and some waste may be turned in to countries (Harrison,
1996). More over some by product and discarded items are not exactly waste but orderly
resource; they are collect reuse as recovered product for recycling as to waste material (Harrison,
2004).
Solid waste is a serious problem or dilemma for the environment and health in the world. Waste
left on the street create own pleasant order and breeding ground for vermin and insect causing
illness hazardous material from randomly and incorrectly dumped waste can seep in pollute
water-main drink water (Hoornweg and Bahada, 2012).
The impact of poor solid waste management on the environment cannot be over stated.
Extremely large quantity of solid waste is being produce continuously without proper
management at disposal site resulting in damage to the environment. This problem includes
absence of disposal site, lack of environmental law, lack of equipment, such like truck and lack
of fund to replace the equipment. These types of problem that can rise from when solid waste is
not handling held properly (Harrison, 2004).
Poor solid waste management is challenges of city authorities in developing countries, mainly
due to the increasing of the generation of waste, the burden posed on municipal budget as a result
of high cost of associated to the management, the lack of understanding over the diversity factory
that affects different strategies of waste management and linkages necessary to enable the entire
handling system functioning (Harrison, 2004).
In our country Ethiopia solid waste has significant negative externalities with impact on
environment and health. Uncollected solid waste cities provides favorable habitat for insect,
vermin scavenging animal which proliferate and spread air and water born disease, such as
plague, dengue fever and diarrhea a mango the local population (Dolk,2002). These solid wastes
also contribute to some global and environmental challenges. Such as the increase of greenhouse
gas, loss of biodiversity, pollution of water and others (Hoornweg and Bhada, 2012).
In Ethiopia the majority of solid is collect in bin ranging site from house trash can to industrial
dumpster, which are filled by individual or company. Solid waste is the collect in truck move
though the street on regular schedule to collect this bins. The garbage is not clean up voluntary
organization and though the consumers who bring their waste directly to poor solid waste
management company (Hoornweg & Bahada, 2012).
1.2. Statement of the problem
In Adigrat the problem of poor solid waste management of house hold waste constitutes a series
problem own after the construction of building, road and town. The main aim of the paper to
draw to attention with vast environmental deterioration and the researcher is tired to show the
flow of waste produce and treated house hold waste is to give a strategy for better management
of solid waste for sustainable development.
In the case of Adigrat town poor solid waste management would be caused by many
problems .Such as lack of official disposal site, absence of strong environmental law, absence of
an effective waste management, inadequate facility and equipment such like truck, and low
perception of community around town. So the researchers would be motivated to identify the
challenges and the problem that hinder the community participation on solid waste management.
On the other hand, there is no any research conducted with solid waste management in the study
area because of this the researcher are intended to conduct.
1.3. Objectives of the study
1.3.1. General objective
The general objective of the study would be assessing the challenges for solid waste management
system in case of Adigrat town.
1.3.2. Specific objective
The specific objective of the study as follow
Identify the major sources of solid waste generation in Adigrat town.
Assess the current solid waste sites in terms of environment in Adigrat town.
Assess the problems of solid waste management around the solid waste sites on the
community.
Identify the effects of poor solid waste management system in Adigrat town.
1.4. Research questions
What are the major sources of solid waste generation in Adigrat town?
What is the problems poor solid waste management on the community?
What are the effects of poor solid waste management systems in Adigrat town?
1.5. Significance of the study
What would be the significance of the Society or local community and environmental. This study
has several significances. In the first place, the residents of the town can make use of the findings
of the study though improved solid waste management practices and policy makers, solid waste
managers and environmental protection agencies of the town. Secondly, it gives some guide line
information to the municipal and other solid waste management personnel and environmental
protection agencies about the existing situation of municipal solid waste management of Adigrat
town. Third, it reduce diseases that caused by solid waste and minimize the challenges of solid
waste that facing on environment and health.
1.6. Scope of the study
The study would be limited only to identify and analyzing the challenges for poor solid waste
management in the case of Adigrat town.
1.7. Organization of the paper
The thesis is structured in to five chapters as follows. Following introduction in the first chapter
like background of the study, the statement of the problem, objective of the study, research
questions, significance of the study, scope of the study and organization of the paper, chapter two
contains a review of the study. Chapter three contains research design and methodology. In
chapter four, the results and findings of the study are discussed. Finally, conclusions and
recommendations were included.

CHAPTER TWO
2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1. Meanings and concepts of solid waste
The term solid waste means a material such house hold garbage (including recycling) food
waste, yard waste and demolitions or construction derbies. It also includes discarded item like
house hold appliance, furniture, scrap metal, machinery, carport and abounded or junk vehicles
(Grest, 2008).
Solid waste is any garbage, refuse, sludge from waste treatment plant water supply treatment
plant or air pollution control facility and other discarded or salvageable materials including semi
solid or gaseous materials resulting from house hold, industrial, commercial, agriculture
operation and community activities (Grest, 2008).
2.2. Solid waste management
Solid waste management is systematic control, generation, collection, storage, transport, source
separation, processing, treatment, recovery and disposal of solid waste (UN Habitat, 2010). Solid
Waste Management (SWM) is defined as the control, generation, storage, collection, transfer and
transport, processing and disposal of solid waste consistent with best practices of public health,
economic and financial, administrative, legal and environmental considerations (Othman, 2002).
The integrated solid waste management (ISWM) takes on over all approach to crating
sustainable and system that are economically affordable, socially acceptable and the environment
effectible of an integrated solid waste management system involves the usages of different
treatment method and the key function of such system is the collection and the storing of waste.
It’s important is no one single treatment method can managed all the waste material in the
environment effective way.
Thus all the available treatment and disposal option suited to the particular community choosing.
The effective management schemes therefore needed to operate in ways which best meet current
social economic and environmental condition of the municipality (EPA, 2006).
2.3. Challenges of solid waste management
Solid waste management is challenges for cities authorities in developing countries mainly due
to increasing generation of waste, the burden posed on the municipal budget as a result high cost
associated with its management, the lack of understanding over the diversity factor that affect
different stage of solid waste management and linkages that is necessary to enable the entire
handling system of functioning (Anschutze, et.al, 2004).
The challenges caused by different things such as lack of knowledge of treatment system
authorizes is one of the factor that affecting the treatment of waste but also absence of disposal
site around town. Solid waste has significant negative externalities with impact on the
environment and healthful controlled solid waste in cities provides a favorable habitat for insect,
vermin and scavenging animals which proliferate and spread air and water born diseases. Such as
plague, dengue fever and diarrhea among the local population. Solid waste also contribute to
some global challenges such as increase the emission of green house contribute almost 5% total
human based greenhouse emission (Hoornweg and Bhada, 2012).
Solid wastes have become recurring feature in urban environment. It is longer in the doubt that
our cities are unintended with challenges of UN cleared solid waste. Thus urban resident are
often converted with the hazardous impact to their collective and safety. The huge and cry over
the healthy consequence exposed and farming rubbish have not been quantified though their
impact is notable (UNATED NATION REPORT, 2004).
Solid waste management is a challenge for city authorities in developing countries mainly due to
the increasing the generation of waste, the burden posed on municipal budget as result of high
cost associated with to it management, lack of understanding over the diversity of factor that
affects the different stages of waste management and the linkages the that necessary to enable the
entire handling system, absence of an effective waste management, lack of planning at national
level are the challenges of poor solid management (Hoornweg and Bhada, 2012).
2.4. Policy option for urban solid waste management
City leaders faced with decision for the feather either they continue with conventional method of
waste management and the face the result impact or they pursue. An alternative path that
attempts to, present problems to work towards, the transient to more sustainable city. Leaders,
should first address the existing problem by recognize aliments of municipal budget to upgrade
solid waste in the infrastructure service (ECZ, 2004)
The lack of adequate policy and regulatory framework complicate matters even further the
experience lash own that the command and control approach alone can note and will note
improve solid waste management practice, command and control should be supplemented by
market based instrument with initiative and distinctive so as to stimulate investment and enter
premiership to transform solid waste management in to environment sound and socially
acceptable business (Medina, 2008).
2.5. The role of community based management of solid waste.
Community participation in solid waste management covers variety of encompasses several form
of local investment, includes awareness and teaching proper sanitary behavior, contributing cash
good or labor and perception in consultation administration and management function (Chandak,
2010).
At the most basic level community participation will be separated waste can be handling over
separated waste at a particular time to the waste collector or granting space to park solid waste
management vehicles with more great public participation of the community can corporate with
public or private entities to set payment rate for the service charge. Community management is
the high level community participation gives the community authority and control over operation
management or maintenance of service benefiting its member (Chandak, 2010).
2.6. Methods of solid waste disposal
2.6.1. Landfill
The most popular methods of solid waste disposal today, this process of solid waste disposal
focus to attention buying the waste in the land. This process used to eliminate the order and the
danger of waste before it is placed in the ground. So, most of people should be prepare landfill to
remove UN wanted material (Al-Yousef, 2009).
Landfill is a common disposal site for waste will be engineered and operated to protect the
environmental and public health. Landfill gas produce the anaerobic decomposition of organic
matter can recovered. Proper landfill often lack, especially in developing countries (Al-Yousef,
2009)
2.6.2. Combustion
This also a type of solid waste disposal methods in which solid waste are burned at high
temperature so as to convert them in reside any gaseous product. The main advantages of this
methods are that to reduce the volume of solid to original volume (Alem, R, and Hason,G, 2008).
2.6.3. Recycling
Recycling is the process of converting the waste product in to the new product to prevent the
energy usage and consumption of fresh raw material. This components reduces, reuse the waste
hierarchy. The key advantage these methods reduce the quantity disposal waste and return of
material to the economy. In many developing countries informal waste pickers at a collation
point and disposal site ret cover a significant portion discards (Medina, M, 2008).
2.6.4. Incineration
Incineration of waste (with energy recover) can reduce the volume disposal waste by 90%. This
high volume reduction is seen only in waste streams with very high amount of packaging
materials, paper, plastic and horticulture waste. Typically, insertion without energy recovery or
non out genetic combustion, the need to regularly add fuel is not performed option due to air
pollution associated with low temperature (EPA,2006).

2.6.5. Open burning

Open burning is burning of unwanted material in good manner that cause smoke and other
emission released directly in the air without passing though chimney or stack. This includes the
burning of outdoor piles, burning in a burn barrel and the use of incineration which have no
pollution control device and as such released gaseous by product directly in to the atmosphere
(DQE,2006).
 CHAPTER THREE
3. DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA AND METHODOLOGY
3.1. Historical Background
Adigrat is a town and separate woreda in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. Located in the Eastern
Zone at 14o20’ N latitude and 39029’E longitude with an elevation of 2457meters above sea level,
below a high ridge to the west . Adigrat town is located in Tigray Regional Government about
898kmnorth of Addis Abeba. Adigrat town has long history being one of the major cultural and
commercial centers of the Tigray Regional state. It is estimated that Settlement expanded in the
area since early 14th century, and has gradually grown to the municipal level.
The municipality is providing waste management services in the town relatively for longer
period now. The solid waste management of the city is run under the office of Sanitation,
Beautification Main Process of Adigrat city Administration. As per the information of this office,
there is a well-established organizational set up to follow up and control the proper solid waste
collection both at house hold level and centrally, to create awareness on the principles of waste
segregation in to degradable organic and none degradable material, storing and recycling of the
waste for reuse. There is also house to house waste collection and transportation service provided
by the office. There is an open air solid waste disposal site at Huga, where the city's solid waste
is dumped into a hand dug trench and leveled. However, the service is still inadequate as it is a
case in most parts of Ethiopia. A previous study conducted by Regional Urban Planning Institute
(RUPI) in year 2005, has identified waste management issue as being one of the major problems
of the town. Accordingly, the study prioritized and set improvement strategies both for the liquid
and solid waste management systems.
The current Solid waste management study is part of this strategic plan that has been drawn by
the town administration. The municipality is striving to implement the improvement measures in
accordance with the set plan. It could be witnessed during the site visit and assessment by the
current consultant team that significant works are being done as regards to household level solid
waste handling, house to house solid waste collection, and street sweeping and transporting of
the waste away from the dwelling areas. Rules and regulations are set and enforcement exercises
are also being practiced on a relatively better situation.

3.2. Physical aspect

3.2.1. Location and size
Adigrat town is located in Tigray Regional government about 898km north of Addis Ababa,
125km from Mekele, the regional capital. It is serving as Administrative capital of Eastern
Tigray zone and Ganta Afeshum woreda. It is also located at cross roads of mekele, Adigrat and
Zalambessa and Mekele-Adigrat-Adwa highway. The geographical location of the town is 14 o16’
and 39027’E, and as per the integrated development plan (IDP) report the town influential area
includes Gulumeda, Erob and Atsbi Wonberta woredas. The presence of the number of
government and non-governmental organization (NGOS) and private sectors in addition to its
location and access to transportation has attracted supplementary trade and commercial activities.
With more to come in the design phase, these are the major economic activities that are basis and
potentials of the town.
Figure 3.1: Location map of the study area
3.2.2. Topography
Adigrat is bounded by a series of mountain ridges on western and north western and relatively
flatter hills at eastern sides. The town is located in relatively flat topography. Elevations in town
vary from 2530-2660m.a.s.l South, East and Western part of the town. Generally, the
topographic features of the town makes the surrounding mountains drain to downwards the town.
But, the town has no perennial river. The main drainage line starts at western mountain ridges
towards the southeast direction. The Huge is river drains the flooding created by western
mountainous ridge.

3.2.3. Climate
As per the Ethiopian customary climate classification, the town is classified as “Woina-Degas”
the average annual temperature varies from 15 oc to 20oc with January and June the coldest and
the hottest month of the year. Adigrat has mean maximum and minimum temperature of15.7 0c
and 10.40c respectively. The maximum temperature varies between, 23 0c and 6.60c.the hottest
month is June with a mean maximum temperature of 15.7 0c, a mean of 10.40c.The coldest month,
December is about 10.40c cooler The variation of the temperature cycle from year to year is
small. The main rainy season –Kiremt occur from the month of July and august. The town has
five rainy months: from March to May and from July to August, 48.9% of the rain occurs
between July and August. The main annual rainfall is 659.4 mm, and the maximum rainfall of
175.1mm and minimum of 11.1 occurs at July and January respectively.
Table 3.1: Rainfall data of Adigrat
Month J a n Feb Mar Apr May Jun J u l A u g Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual
Rainfall 11.1 14.1 58.5 76.6 61.9 61.9 175.1 147.3 12.8 29.9 25.2 19.5 659.4
Source Woreda report, 2006 e.c
3.2.4. Demographic and socioeconomic aspects
3.2.4.1. Population size
According to information from the municipality, 2009 (the current population) of the town is
estimated at 90,658 people. Out of these whom 44,422(49%) males and 46236(51%) females.
The town is deficient in infrastructure development and social service facilities.
Environmental Sanitation infrastructures like water supply, liquid waste and solid waste
management facilities and drainages are of low coverage. However, significant efforts are being
made to improve the environmental sanitation situation in the city.
Institutionalizing the service provisions, enforcements of regulations and close Supervision and
monitoring of mal practices, implementation of infrastructure Facilities and services are
underway. The municipality has been providing waste management services in the town
relatively for longer time; and the city development plan study has identified waste management
issue as one of the major problems. Accordingly, waste management has been prioritized and the
administration has set improvement strategies both for the liquid and solid waste management
systems.
3.2.5. Economic activity
The town is mainly woreda and zone Administration, and commercial center. There are 17
manufacturing industries, 915 whole sales trade, 2350 retail trades, 1381 service trades and four
fuel station in the town. There are 10 banks and one microfinance organization called Dedebet
giving financial service in the town. The annual revenue of municipality in 2005 was 9,157,228.5
Birr and the major source of the revenue urban land lease, service charges and various taxes.
The per capita revenue within the same year was 322.99 Birr. The major investment
opportunities in the town are social infrastructure, construction, manufacturing industry and
urban agriculture. According to 2009, economic activity rate was 52.3 for both sexes; 56.4 and
48.2 for males and females, respectively. The rate of unemployment in the same year was 28.9%
for both sexes, while male and female unemployment rates 17.3 and 39.4%, respectively.
Adigrat town has economic linkages with the surrounding areas and mekelle town. The town
gets grain product, livestock supply, natural resources (fuel wood and charcoal), and labor from
surrounding areas and manufacturing and commercial products from mekelle. Manufacturing
products are also sent from the town to other areas.
3.2.6. Infrastructure Development
Regarding infrastructure, the town has asphalt and gravel roads connecting it to different weredas
in the Zone, surrounding Zones, towns in the region and Addis Ababa. In the town there are three
main roads while the remaining roads are secondary, collector and local streets. The distribution
of the roads as per the type of the construction materials shows that 15.65 km are asphalt,
24.7km gravel, 17.4 km cobble stone and 187.2 km compacted earth roads.
3.3. Research Methodology
3.3.1. Research Design
In order to the catch objective of the study and answer the research question qualitative and
quantitative research design was employed. So the researcher was used both open and closed
ended question forms used to gathered information of important data based on the respondent
answer.

3.3.2. Source of data

The researcher used both primary and secondary data. The primary data was gathered from the
community of Adigrat town while the secondary data is obtained from written materials such as
book, internet, journals, newspaper and others.
3.3.3. Sample size and Technique
According information from municipal 2009, the total population of Adigrat town estimated
population is 90658. The researcher would be taken 1005 household use as a group of population
in the study area.
N=n/1+n (e2)
Where, n=sample size
N=Total population
e2=level of precision which is constant (0.052) =0.0025
n=1005/1+1005(0.052) =1005/3.51=286 from the sample 286 population the researcher takes
25% of sample size by simple random sampling method. Why because to reduce time and
money. The sample size would be 72 respondents.
3.3.4. Methods of data collection
Observation
Observation is the best method as it reduces the chance of recording incorrect data. Under the
observation method, the information is sought by way of investigator down direct observation
without asking forms the respondents. The main advantage of this method is that subjective bias
is eliminated, if observation is made accurately. The information obtained from under this
method related to what is currently happening, it is not comply cited by either the past behavior
or further intention or attitudes. This method also independent of respondent’s willingness to
responds and as such is relatively less demanding of active cooperation on the part of
respondents as happened to be the case in the interview or the questionnaire method.

Figure 3.2: Observation on solid waste sites

Interviews
To have deep understanding of the storage, collection disposal systems, type and amount of solid
waste of the area, in depth in interview would be held with key informants. Key informants
whom are personals of the municipal offices leaders, the town population and household selected
on the basis of their social position and the roles they have in the processes owners. There are
three methods of interviewing:-The direct personal interview, Telephone interview method and
Indirect orally interview method. Among these I selected the direct personal interview method.
Why? Because, it is the best suited when the problems are not completely under stood and the
investigators presents his or her self personally before the informants and more accurate
information will be obtained because the interviewer can clear up doubts.
Questionnaires
There are two types of questionnaires:-closed ended questionnaire and open ended questionnaire.
So I used both the close ended and open ended questionnaires for the house hold survey. Why?
Because both types of questionnaire enable to generates the qualitative and quantitative data
from each household.
3.3.6. Method of data analysis and presentation
The method of data analysis deal with presentation, analysis and interpretation of data gathered
from households and municipal offices. Both qualitative and quantitative methods are used to
analyze the data. Quantitative method is used for close ended question and qualitative methods
for open ended question and interviews. Quantitative method includes percentages, graphics and
tabular analysis and frequency distribution. Qualitative techniques are cause and effect
relationship.

CHAPTER FOUR
4. RESULT AND DISCUSSION
This chapter concerned with analysis and interpretation of the result of the firsthand information
data collected from study area. The data were gathered on personal background, challenges of
solid waste management, factors affecting solid waste management, solid waste disposal method
and stake holder perception in solid waste management system.
4.1. General characteristics of respondent
This explains to the background of personal information to community of Adigrat town. The
respondent was both male and female from both age group and the level educational status.
Table 4.1: Classification of respondent by age group
Age Male Female Number of respondent Percentage
15-25 4 12 16 22%
25-35 20 4 24 33.33%
35-45 9 9 18 25%
45-55 4 2 6 8.3%
Above 55 4 4 8 11.15%
Total 72 100%
Source, field survey (2017)
At represented the above table 4.1. most of the respondent found in between 25-35 age group
which account 33.33%.The remaining 22%, 25%,8.3% and 11.15% of the total respondent are
found in age 15-25,25-35,35-45,45-55 and55 years old. So most the community those participate
in solid waste management system found in age 25-35 years old. Beside the table refers to in all
age group males the most dominant percipient on solid waste management practice. These
account 41 respondents are male from 72 respondents.
Table 4.2: Sex structure of the respondents
Sex Number of respondent Percentage
Male 41 57%
Female 31 43%
Total 72 100%
Source, field survey (2017)
As indicated the above table 4.2, Shows 57% of the respondent are male. The remaining 43% are
female. So this implies that most of the male are participate in solid waste management practice
in the study area.
Table 4.3: Education status of respondents
Level of education Number of respondent Percentage
Illiterate 8 11%
Primary level 17 24%
Secondary level 28 39%
High level 19 26%
Total 72 100%
Source, field survey (2017)
As indicate the above table 4.3, Show that 39% of the respondents are secondary level. The
remaining of 24%, 26% and 11% of the respondents are primary level, high level and illiterate.
So this implies that most the respondents are secondary level.
Table 4.4: Martial status of respondent
Marital status Number of respondent Percentage
Married 39 54%
Unmarried 21 29%
Divorce 12 17%
Total 72 100%
Source, field survey (2017)
The above table 4.4, Shows 54% of the respondents are married. The rest of 29% and 17% of the
respondent are unmarried and divorce respectively. So this implies that most of the respondents
those participate on the solid waste management practice are married.
Table 4.5: Distribution of respondent by occupation
Occupational status Number of respondent Percentage
Daily worker 27 37.5%
Peasant 10 13.90%
Civil servant 13 18.05%
Merchant 22 3o.55%
Total 72 100%
Source, field survey (2017)
From table 4.5, shows 37.5% of the respondents are daily labor. The remaining 13.90%, 18.05%
and 30.55% of the respondents are peasant, civil servant and merchant respectively. So this
implies that most of the respondents those participate on solid waste management practice are
daily labor.

4.2. Problems of solid waste management system

In Adigrat town Solid wastes caused by different phenomena. These activities like lack of
official disposal site, lack of equipment, lack of fund to replace equipment such truck and low
perception of household are the cause solid waste management system.
Table 4.6: Problems of solid waste management system
Problems of solid waste management Number of respondent Percentage
Lack of official disposal site 35 49%
Lack of equipment 6 8%
Lack of fund to replace the equipment 6 8%
Low perception of household 25 35%
Total 72 100%
Source, field survey (2017)
From the above table 4.6, shows that the problem of poor solid waste management system is that
lack of official disposal site which accounts 49% of the total respondent followed by low
perception of household, lack of equipment and lack of fund to replace the equipment which
account35%, 8% and 8% respectively. This implies that the main problems of solid waste
management system is lack of official disposal site by these case solid throw everywhere
followed by low perception. As the interview said that low agriculture practice is one problem in
the study area.
Table 4.7: Challenges of solid waste management
Challenges of solid waste Number of respondent Percentage
Yes 42 58%
No 30 42%
Total 72 100%
Source, field survey (2017)
As table 4.7, indicate that 58% of the respondent that it has many challenges on the environment
and health. The remaining 42% of the respondents says that no challenges of solid waste. so that
it indicates that solid waste has many challenges on living things.
Table 4.8: Magnitudes of solid waste problem
Magnitudes of solid waste Number of respondent Percentage
Low 18 25%
Medium 22 31%
High 32 44%
Total 72 100%
Source, field survey (2017)
As table 4.8 indicate that 44% of the respondents say the magnitude of solid waste problem is
high. The remaining 31% and 25% of the respondents says medium and low respectively.
Table 4.9: Degree of solid waste management system
Degree of solid waste management Number of respondent Percentage
Very good 10 13.90%
Good 22 30.55%
Fair 15 20.83%
Poor 25 34.72%
Total 72 100%
Source, field survey (2017)
According to the above table 4.9 shows 34.72% of the respondents have the poor level solid
waste management perception practice in the case of Adigrat town. The remaining 13.90%,
30.55% and 20.83% of the respondent have very good, good and fair respectively. From this the
respondents conclude that community perception on solid waste management practice is
characterized by poor management practice in the town.
Table 4.10: Source solid waste
Source solid waste Number of respondent Percentage
Factory 11 15%
House 29 40%
Offices 9 13%
Other 23 32%
Total 72 1oo%
Source, field survey (2017)
As indicate the above table 4.10, shows that 40% of solid wastes produce from household. The
remaining 15%, 13% and 32% of the solid waste produce from factory, office and other
respectively. So that most solid waste produces from houses.
Table 4.11: Community participation on solid waste management
Community participation on Number of Percentage
solid waste management respondent
Yes 22 31%
No 50 69%
Total 72 100%
Source, field survey (2017)
Based on the above table 4.11 Shows that 69% of the respondents do not participation on solid
waste management whereas the rest of 31% of the respondents participated on solid waste
management system. So this implies that most the society does not participate on solid waste
management on the study area.
Table 4.12: Factors affecting community participation on solid waste management
Factors affecting community participation on Number of respondent Percentage
solid waste management
Absence of responsibility 17 23.61%
Knowledge 16 22.22%
Lack of policy 9 12.5%
Lack of motivation or awareness 30 41.67%
Total 72 100%
Source, field survey (2017)
From the above table 4.12 indicate that the community participation on solid waste management
practice affected by lack of motivation which account 41.67% followed by absence of
responsibility, knowledge and lack of environmental policy respectively. Thus accounts
23.61%, 22.22% and 12.5% respectively.
Table 4.13: Stake holder of solid waste management
Stake holder of solid waste management Number of respondent Percentage
Government 8 11.11%
Non-government 12 16.67%
Peasant 15 20.83%
For all 37 51.39%
Total 72 100%
Source, field survey (2017)
As indicated table 4.13 shows 51.39% of the respondents are for all. So the solid waste
management is the responsibility of all human being. The remaining 11.11%, 16.67% and
20.83% are government, nongovernment and peasant respectively. From this we can say the
community perception on solid waste management is the responsibility all being because, if you
manage solid waste it is important for living things.
Table 4.14: Management of solid waste
Management of solid waste Number of respondent Percentage
Yes 41 57%
No 31 43%
Total 72 100%
Source, field survey (2017)
As indicate the above table 4.14 shows 57% of the respondent says that we participate in solid
waste management by different methods of solid waste disposal. The remaining 43% of
respondent does not participate in solid waste management system.
Table 4.15: Methods of solid waste management
Methods of solid waste management Number of respondent Percentage
Landfill 30 42%
Combustion 8 11%
Recycling 7 10%
Incineration 13 18%
Open burning 14 19%
Total 72 100%
Source, field survey (2017)
As indicate table 4.15 shows different types of solid waste disposal landfill and open burning the
dominant share which account 42% and 19% respectively. The remaining combustion, recycling
and incineration account 11%, 1o% and 18% respectively. From this the researchers observe
most the community perception on solid waste management practice concerned with landfill
followed by open burning.

Figure 4.1: Methods of solid waste management system

4.3. Benefit of solid waste management
Solid waste management system has many benefits such as it increase soil fertility, economic,
social and environment benefit. According to the respondent of solid waste management is gives
many environmental benefit. These are protecting the environment from different diseases and it
creates good climate condition for living things. More over this when the health environment
created the wellbeing of human being. On other hand when the environment protected in good
manner it creates good climate condition for the study area. So the overall advantages of solid
waste management system for the study area it increase the sustainability of environment from
different things.
Table 4.16: Benefits of solid waste management
Benefits of solid waste management Number of respondent Percentage
Economic benefit 10 14%
Increase soil fertility 12 17%
Social benefit 18 25%
Environmental benefit 32 44%
Total 72 100%
Source, field survey (2017)
Table 4.16 shows solid waste management has dominant benefit to increase the sustainability of
environment followed by social, fertility of soil and economic which accounts 44%, 25%, 17%
and 14% respectively.
 CHAPTER FIVE
5. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1. CONCLUSION
Based on the finding of the study the following are the conclusion of the study. Generally poor
solid waste management system is a serious problem in the world. Poor solid waste management
system is a challenge of city authorities in developing countries due to the increasing generation
of waste, lack of understanding about the challenges of solid waste and other problems has their
own challenges for environment and health. To reduce this problem increases the awareness the
people one important issue to manage poor solid waste management. But also effective solid
waste management system is important activities and action required to manage waste from its
inception to the final disposal. This includes among other things collection, transport, treatment
and disposal of waste together with monitoring and regulation. It also in encompasses the legal
and regulatory framework that relates waste management encompasses guidance on landfills,
recycling and others. The people of the study area had poor attitudes and perception towards
solid waste handling. They would be store substandard refuse containers such as sacks, basket
and preparing landfill and other methods solid waste disposal.
5.2. Recommendation
Based on the finding of the study the researcher forwards the following recommendation:
Awareness of community about solid waste management participation is lowered. There for
raising the awareness of the community how to manage solid waste by government,
nongovernment organization and community of town. The community of Adigrat town does not
employed methods of solid waste disposal. So preparing or using the methods of solid waste
disposal such like landfill, recycling, incineration, open burning and other methods are important
to protect or manage poor solid waste management system.
Formulate strict environmental policy is plays significant role how to use the environment but
also it is important to protect environmental challenges. So to regulating or formulating
environmental policy is important to manage poor solid waste management system.
.
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 Appendix
Adigrat University
Faculty of Social Science and Humanity
Department of Geography and Environment Study
First of all researchers want to thank you for willingness to fill these questionnaires prepared by
third year Geography and Environmental Study graduate students. The questionnaire was
prepared in order to collect relevant data based on the challenges for solid waste management in
Adigrat town.
Put x in the box that will fit your opinion and provide your statement when it is necessary in the
space provide.
Part one
Personal related question
1. Sex: A; Male  B; Female 
2. Age: A; 15-25 B; 25-35 C; 35-45  D; 45-55  E; above 55
3. Marital status: A; Married  B; Unmarried C; Divorce
4. Educational status:
A; Illiterate B; Primary level  C Secondary level  D High School 
5. Occupational status: A; Daily labor B; Farmer  C; Civil servant D; Merchants 
Part two
1. What are the major sources of solid waste generation in Adigrat town?
______________________________________________________________
2. What are the problems of solid waste management in Adigrat town?
________________________________________________________________
3. is there any solid waste has their own challenges in Adigrat town?
A; Yes B; No
4. If you answer yes in question number 3 how do you categorize the magnitude or size of its
challenges? A; Low  B; Medium  C; High
5. What look like solid waste management system in Adigrat town?
A; Very good B; good  C; Fair  D; Poor 
6. Which one of the following the major source of solid waste in Adigrat town?
A; Factory  B; Houses C; Offices  D; Other 
7. Is there the contribution you and community participation on solid waste management in
Adigrat town? A; Yes B; No 
8. If you answer yes in question no 7 explain the contribution you and the community?
_____________________________________________________________
9. Which one the factors that affect community participation on solid waste management in
Adigrat town? A; Absence of responsibility B; Knowledge  C; Lack of strict policy  D; Lack
of motivation
10. Who is responsible agent to manage poor solid waste management in Adigrat town? A;
Government  B; Non government  C; Peasant  D; For all 
11. Did you participate on solid waste management? A; Yes  B; No 
12. If you answer yes in question no 11 what are the methods to manage solid waste in the study
area? A; Landfill  B; Combustion  C; Recycling  D; Incineration  E; open burning 
13. What type of use gain on solid waste management? A; Increase soil fertility B; Economic
benefit C; Environmental benefit  D; Social benefit 
14. What type of economical benefit in your study area?
_____________________________________________________
15. What type of Environmental banafit in your study area?
________________________________________________
16. Where is the present solid waste site in Adigrat town?
_______________________________________
17. How do you observe or evaluate the distribution of municipal solid waste management from
time to time in Adigrat town?
A, Increasing  B, Decreasing 

18. What are the effects of poor solid waste management system in Adigrat town ?
____________________________________________________________________
19. What are the factors affecting community participation on solid waste management system in
Adigrat town? _____________________________________________________________
20. What are the causes of solid waste generation in the Adigrat town?
_________________________________________________________
21. What are the methods of the solid waste management system in the Adigrat town?
___________________________________________________________
22. Is there any benefits of solid waste management in Adigrat town?
A) Yes  B) No 
23. If you r answer is yes for the above question (22) what are the benefits?
Interview
24. Is there any support you have gotten to manage solid waste?
25. Is there any challenges toward poor solid waste management? What kind of solution to have
proposed?