Assessment Of Environmental Management Systems For Enhanced Industrial Waste Management In Mwanza City

ABSTRACT

The ever increasing industrial wastes in many developing countries pose threat on environmental sustainability due to the associated healthy risks. A socio-economic survey was carried out among nine wards of Nyamagana and Ilemela municipalities of Mwanza city to assess environmental management systems based on specific objectives: (1) to identify types of industrial wastes being generated in Mwanza city, (2) to evaluate current environmental management systems (EMS), and (3) to identify environmental impacts related to the generated industrial wastes. A total of 203 respondents including 115 local communities neighboring industrial areas; 20 industrial managers; 60 industrial workers; and 8 respondents from governmental and Non Governmental officials were both randomly and purposively selected for the study. Both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection, namely, interviews; both structured and non-structured questionnaires; focused group discussion (FGD) sessions; and observations were employed. Data were coded, entered and analyzed into simple descriptive statistics using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0. Also, tables, percent, figures and narrative notes were used to support the analysis. Results revealed that the main types of industrial wastes being generated in Mwanza city include solid wastes (48.6%) such as, fish skeleton remains, seed cakes, cereal cakes, metal remains and wood papers. About 35.8% of respondents mentioned liquid waste such as oil leakages, grease, petroleum and petroleum by-products compared to 15.6% of respondents whom mentioned smoke wastes from industries. Majority of respondents (70%) reported the general lack of proper environmental management system (EMS) as associated to the lack of clear policy of government, vi corporate organizations, industries, planning, monitoring, auditing and management review on waste management as an obstacle in sustainable waste management in Mwanza city. Impacts of industrial wastes reported in the study area include land pollution (20.6%), water pollution (19.5%); health impact among industrial workers, waste collectors, and local community proximal to the industrial areas. From the current study it could be concluded that, participated industries in the current study had not implemented environmental management systems (EMS) due to lack of proper waste management which result to negative impact. It is recommended that, the Government and other stakeholders such the National Environmental Management Council should insist each corporate, companies and industries in particular, to abide to environmental management system for enhanced industrial wastes management and the general wastes through improved waste collection, treatment, separation, transportation, recycling, and appropriate waste disposal so as to overcome impacts associated with improper waste management