Assessment of Attitude and Perception of Communities Towards Solid Waste Disposal, and Its Implication to Urban Pollution, Sodo Town, SNNPR, Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the community attitude and perception level towards solid waste disposal in Wolaita, Sodo town. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select the survey participants. The study used both the primary and secondary source data. The primary data were collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires and observation check list were used to collect field data and secondary data were collected through documentation from Sodo city administration, internet sources, journal and books. Individual informed consent was obtained before questionnaires were administered. Results of the study revealed that 90% of the respondents don’t perceive burning of solid waste materials in open space as improper disposal method and commonly used storage containers for household waste was Polythene bags (40%), while 37%, 10%, 9%, and (4%) of the respondents dump the waste on Dump site, plastic containers, Old bucket and Waste bins respectively. 88% of them perceived the solid waste litters the town. Among this proportion, 49(49%) of respondents perceived it as a problem, 25% perceived as a Major problem, 14% said that a minor problem. The community perception towards solid waste and their attitude to reuse the plastic bags which they were using to carry vegetables, grains etc. from markets was very. Hence, efforts should be directed towards training and awareness creation for purpose of enhancing their awareness attitude.

Keywords: Perception, Attitude, Solid waste, urban pollution

DOI: 10.7176/JETP/9-7-02

Publication date:October 31^st 2019