Solid waste management: A case study of Westgate Industrial Training College (WITC) (Bulawayo)

Abstract

The study sought to investigate into the solid waste management issues at Westgate Industrial Training College (WITC), Bulawayo. Questionnaires were administered to a sample of 15 randomly selected members of staff and six Environmental Safety and Health Management committee members were interviewed in data collection. Eight (8) waste streams generated per week were identified at WITC and these are plastics, papers, cans, metals, metal scraps, conduits, copper wires and food waste. Metals and metal scraps contributed the highest quantities of 23% and 21% respectively where as conduits and copper wires constituted the least with each at 3% of the total waste. The majority of the solid waste generated at WITC is stored in plastic containers and is later dumped in open spaces. Strategies that were proposed by respondents included recycling, reuse and reduction of waste. The study concluded that the solid waste management at WITC is ineffective and inefficient characterized with environmentally unfriendly practices which includes open space dumps of the solid waste.