Evaluating the impact of refuse collection frequency on solid waste reduction and community participation in Shamva urban

Abstract

The study examined the impact of refuse collection frequency on solid waste reduction and community participation in Shamva Urban, with particular focus on Ward 22. The study sought to assess current waste management practices, examine the influence of refuse collection frequency on waste reduction, evaluate the effectiveness of community participation in waste management, and identify strategies for improving waste management systems in Shamva Urban. The study was guided by Environmental Management Theory and Participatory Development Theory. A mixed methods research approach was adopted using a descriptive case study design. Quantitative data were collected through questionnaires administered to 150 household respondents, while qualitative data were obtained through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs). Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and presented through tables and figures, while qualitative data were analysed thematically and integrated with quantitative findings.Only 12% of households received collection more that once per week, while 30.7% received it once per week, 25.3% once every two weeks and 26.7%rarely.Concequently, 6,6% of respondents rated the service as unreliable or very unreliable. Irregular collection contributed to waste accumulation in 43% of households, illegal dumping by 25% and open burning by 20%. Wste separation was limited with 68% of households not separating aste before disposal, primarily due to lack of collection support (33,3%) and lack of knowledge (27,5%). About 68% of respondents believed that improving waste collection frequency reduce waste accumulation The study also found that community participation in waste management activities was generally low and mainly limited to occasional clean-up campaigns. Participation was constrained by poor service delivery, limited communication, lack of incentives, and weak institutional engagement mechanisms. The study concluded that refuse collection frequency significantly influences waste reduction practices and community participation in waste management. It recommends improving the frequency and reliability of refuse collection, strengthening waste management infrastructure, enhancing community awareness and participation, enforcing waste management by-laws, and increasing institutional capacity through adequate resource allocation and stakeholder collaboration.