Community Knowledge Towards Solid Waste Management in Iringa Municipal Council, Tanzania
Abstract
This study presents the findings of the study on community knowledge towards Solid Waste Management (SWM) in Iringa Municipal Council (IMC), Tanzania. Semi-structured questionnaires and key informant interviews were used to collect data from a sample of 156 respondents and seven key informants, respectively. The data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Descriptive analysis was used to analyse quantitative data from respondents to obtain frequency and percentage. The qualitative data were analysed through the content analysis technique. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design in which data were collected at a point in time. The study findings indicated that respondents in IMC had good knowledge of the SWM, but there were respondents with low awareness of some waste management practices, such as waste segregation and composting. Moreover, respondents in the study area were able to identify common types of solid waste materials and available means of waste disposal options. Furthermore, the study indicated SWM processes and identified the presence and sources of information on the SWM in the community. The study recommends that stakeholders, such as government agencies, should conduct national awareness campaigns via media, by focusing on waste segregation, recycling, and disposal methods to raise awareness. The community can play its role by initiating local waste reduction efforts, such as clean-up drives and recycling programs, in fostering environmental stewardship at both the government and community levels.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Ayubu Zephania, Given Msomba, PhD, Frank Phillipo, PhD
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