Problems facing institutions in handling solid wastes in urban Tanzania: a case study of Kinondoni municipality, Dar es Salaam region.

This study examined problems facing institutions responsible for handling solid waste in urban areas, Kinondoni Municipality in Dar es Salaam being the case study. Specifically, the study examined four main issues; knowledge and awareness of people on institutions dealing with solid waste management in urban areas, patterns and trends of solid waste management at household and community levels, problems facing institutions in handling solid wastes at household and community levels, as well as suggestions for improving performance of institutions responsible for handling solid waste in urban areas. The study employed a case study approach. Structured questionnaires containing both open and close ended questions were administered to 180 respondents. The study also used method of participant observation during interview to collect data. Quantitative data were analyzed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences and Excel while qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. Overall study findings reveal that institutions responsible for Solid Waste Management in Kinondoni Municipality are facing two types of problems including institutional and individual. At institutional level, three major problems include inadequate facilities like vehicles and solid waste collectors, poor infrastructure, high user’s charges and inconsistence in waste collections were observed. At individual level two major problems are inadequate knowledge on institutions responsible for handling solid waste management, inconsistency in payment of user fees, and limited support and cooperation from community members were also observed. Further, study findings found inconsistency and irregularities in terms of patterns and trends of solid waste management. For instance, whereas most institutions were collecting solid waste within a week, there were few that did not have a specific time for collecting wastes and they were doing it sporadically within a month. Generally, the study concluded that, many factors are affecting wastes management institutions in Kinondoni Municipality. Those factors are delaying of collection wastes collection services, shortage of dumping sites, lack of wastes management skills to the citizens, unreliable supportive institutions from the community level and lack of facilities. Study provided several recommendations for addressing problems and challenges facing the institutions. These are improving service delivery by increasing the number of vehicles and personnel as well as institutions’ effective supervision and monitoring systems, increasing the number of solid waste collection points like introducing by-laws for ensuring consistent solid waste management as well as security and safety issues. In the end, the study concludes by providing suggestions for future study areas.