Challenges And Opportunities Associated With Community Participation In Solid Waste Management In Sakubva, Mutare

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to analyse the challenges and opportunities of community

participation in solid waste management in Sakubva suburb of Mutare. The research was

fundamental since it envisioned unravelling more information in relation to objectives which

included interrogation of the level of Sakubva community participation in solid waste

management in light of the challenges and opportunities for future waste management,

establishing types and amounts of waste generated, determining approaches used to manage

waste, exploring the role played by the community in solid waste management, as well as

analysing ways in which the public could be engaged to ensure that the communities

sustainably participate in solid waste management. Snowball and purposive sampling were

used in determining the sample size which comprised of a target population of 1 600

residents. Ten percent was used as a benchmark to obtain the actual sample size of 160

respondents. A triangular technique was used in data collection which included interviews

with key informants, self-administered questionnaires, photographs, field observations and

secondary data from organisational records, e-journals, and reports. The findings revealed

that the Sakubva community is practising solid waste management activities like waste

separation, reduction, reuse and recycling. They are also engaging with other stakeholders

like EMA, NGOs and pressure groups to manage waste in their suburb and these have paid

off with various socio-economic prospects. However, these practices have been done

ineffectively as the community is lacking full legislative support, financial resources as well

as adequate awareness or education on sustainable solid waste management. Furthermore,

the scale of population growth is overwhelming the capacity of the Mutare City Council to

provide adequate waste collection services, hence a myriad of solid waste management

challenges is being faced by the Sakubva community. In light of the above, the study

therefore, recommends that the City Council of Mutare, together with other stakeholders like

EMA and NGOs provide financial aid to community based organisations, formulate an

integrated solid waste management plan that incorporates the community, as well as

conducting more, effective trainings, educational tours and awareness campaigns that

involve the community on solid waste management. Policy makers should also amend already

existing policies and legislations and include community engagement and participation in

environmental issues. This helps to create a sense of ownership in the community and to

reduce the waste management problem in the suburb.