Primary School Practices in Solid Waste Management in Thika Municipality, Kenya

TABLE OF CONTENTS

APPROVAL

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv

ABBREVIATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS vi

CHAPTER ONE 1

INTRODUCTION 1

1.0 Background to the study 1

1.1 Problem Statement

3

1.2 Main Objective

4 1 .2.1 Specific Objectives 4

1.3 Research Questions

4

1.4 Scope of the study

4

1.5 Justification of the study

5

CHAPTER TWO

6

LITERATURE REVIEW

6

2.0 Introduction

6

2.1 Solid waste management scenario

6

2.2 Constituents of solid waste

7

2.3 Categories of solid waste

8

2.4 Solid waste collection processes

9

2.5 Basic collection systems 10

2.5.1 Communal collection 10

2.5.2 Block collection 11

2.5.3 Kerbside collection 11

2.5.4 Door-to-Door collection 12

2.6 Solid waste disposal methods 12

2.6.1 Sanitaiy Landfill 13

2.6.1.1 Advantages ofsanitaiy landfill 13

2,6.1.2 Disadvantages ofsanitary landfill 14

2.6.2 Incineration 14

2.6.2.1 Advantages ofincineration 14

2.6.2.2 Disadvantages ofincineration 14

2.6.3 Composting 15

2.6.4 Open dumping 15

2.6.5 Ocean dumping 15

2.7 Causes of improper solid waste management 16

2.8 Effects of improper solid waste management 16

2.9 Steps for improvement of solid waste management 17

2.10 Raising awareness of public and decision makers 18

2.11 Law compliance and enforcement 19

CHAPTER THREE 20

STUDY AREA AND METHODOLOGY 20

3.0 Introduction 20

3.1 Description of study area 20

vi

3.1.1 Location and area .20

3.1.2 Climate 20

3.1.3 Population and administration 20

3.1.4 Education 21

3.1.5 Economic activities 21

3.1.6 Soils 22

3.2 Description of research design 22

3.3 Sample size and sampling procedure 22

3.4 Description of data collection method and instruments 24

3.4.1 Questionnaires 24

3.4.2 Interview 24

3.4.3 Participant observation 24

3.5 Data processing and analysis 25

3.6 Data presentation 25

3.7 Quality control and assurance 25

CHAPTER FOUR 26

4.0 Presentation and interpretation of research findings 26

4.1 Introduction 26

4.2 Socio-demographic characteristics of respondents 26

4.3 Types of solid waste 27

4.4 Management of solid waste 27

4.5 Challenges faced when managing solid waste in primary schools 30

4.6 Pupils knowledge and attitude towards solid waste 31

CHAPTER FIVE 32

5.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 32

5.1 Conclusions 32

5.2 Recommendations 34

BIBLIOGRAPHY 35

APPENDICES 37

Appendix I: Semi-structured closed and open ended questionnaires 37

Appendix II: Interview Guide 40