Municipal Solid Waste Management: An Assessment of the Management Framework In Zambia

Abstract

Governance mechanisms for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) are critical to the sustainable management of waste for effective environmental management and public health. These mechanisms are dependent on management frameworks upon which they are based. This study aimed at assessing current frameworks for managing MSW in Zambia using a descriptive research design with a questionnaire being the data collection tool. Eighty purposively sampled respondents were administered and the tool had a 90 per cent response rate. Data analysis involved the use of frequency tables, percentages, bar, the mean, and standard deviation. The results were as follows; male respondents were 73 per cent as compared to female respondents at 27 per cent, respectively, while source of generation for residential areas was at 88 per cent. Public sector role in the governance of MWS 66.7 per cent, private sector (18.9%), NGOs (7.8%), with academia 2.2 per cent, others 4.4 per cent respectively. Frequency of collection was as follows: daily (45.7%), twice a week (14.9%), weekly (39.4%). Recycling of MSW by the private sector (47.2%), municipality (14.6%), and a combination of both accounted for 38.2 per cent. Management of final disposal sites by private sector (11.7%), municipalities (44.6%) and co-managed sites (43.5%). Lack of technical capacity to develop and implement policies by municipalities was 33 per cent while lack of financial resources for the waste management sector (39%). The results of the study indicate a growing and rooted challenge in the governance of MSW in Zambia. Therefore, governance mechanisms must be based on robust and effective frameworks that will ensure effective service delivery by local authorities with the involvement of all stakeholders, gender and social inclusion and also effective development and application of policies, technology and financial resources. This will result into sustainable waste management service to protect public health and the environment and ultimately implement a circular economy model.