Solid waste management practice and dumpsite suitability analysis using GIS technology in Debre Markos town, Ethiopia

Abstract

Solid waste management system is the most difficult task that many countries face. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of solid waste management practices of households and analyze dumpsites' environmental suitability in Debre Markos town. Primary data were collected from randomly selected households using structured questionnaire and from secondary data from different bureaus, from research and other reports in 2017. Qualitative and quantitative techniques were used to evaluate solid waste management practices. Data were analyzed using statistical package for social Science and Geographical Information System computer program. The results revealed that households dominantly produced biodegradable solid wastes (87.6%) with the generation rate of 0.3 kg/person/day. This made the daily total solid waste generation of households up to 6210 kg (17 m³). The suitability map of the area for landfill showed that 1.4% of the study area was highly suitable, 36% was moderately suitable and 58% was less suitable. Moreover, 4.7% of the area was found unsuitable to be used for waste disposal. In conclusion, sustainable solid waste management systems must be executed, the structure and capacity of the municipality improved and integrated solid waste management practice must be applied for a healthy environment. Moreover, the municipality should make dumpsites environmentally sound and socially acceptable to decrease impacts of solid wastes on the communal land, on human, on animal and on environmental health.

Keywords: Dumpsite; Solid waste; Biodegradable; Suitability; Environmental health; Geographic Information system; Landfill; Incineration.