Assessment of the Methods of Solid Waste Management System for a Sustainable Environment: Case of Wete Town, Pemba Island

Enhancing sustainable waste management is a critical challenge in developing countries. The challenges are related to finding out appropriate methods, technologies as well as human and financial resources to designate effective system of waste management for sustainable environment, particularly in emerging cities and townships. This study focuses on an assessment of methods of solid waste management system for sustainable environment, taking a case study of Wete Town, in Pemba Island. The objectives of the study were to examine the types of solid wastes generated in the study area, to explore effectiveness of the methods used for managing solid wastes in the study area and to suggest ways of promoting Sustainable Solid Waste Management in the study area. The case study design was used where 101 respondents were involved. For structured interviews 90 respondents were selected via simple random sampling and 11 key informants were obtained using purposive sampling according to their position. Primary data were collected using questionnaire, in depth interviews and observation methods. Secondary data were obtained through review of relevant documents to address the specific objectives of the study and research questions. The data collected were analyzed using various statistical means. The findings revealed three categories of solid wastes namely mixed wastes 87.8%, organic wastes 6.7% and inorganic wastes 5.6% in the study area. The majority of respondents interviewed (87.8%) said they generated mixed types of wastes. The common methods used to manage waste in the study area were burning, burying, disposing wastes down the valley, and on the slums. The majority of households disposed their wastes down the valley and other wastes were burnt. Wastes from the shops (market waste) were temporarily stored in front of the shops by market traders while Wete Town Council Workers collected the wastes from in front of the shops and finally deposited to the dumping sites at Mikindani. All traders had to pay 300/= Tanzania Shillings per day as waste collection service charges. Generally, the methods which are used to manage solid waste in Wete Town are less effective and not sustainable as wastes were found scattered freely along the streets, roads and unfinished buildings. It is concluded that, waste management system in Wete Town needs transformation to guarantee sustainable environment in the island. It is recommended to establish a factory for recycling of recyclable solid wastes as an alternative measure for enhancing Sustainable Management of Solid Waste in Wete Town, Pemba Island. Provision of environmental health education is important for all stakeholders in the island. It is also recommended to encourage participation of households and market traders in waste collection, disposal and recycling as a strategy of enhancing sustainable waste management system.