Solid waste generation and composition in Egerton university community.

Abstract

Solid waste management is a requirement for any community with management strategies and impacts environmental and human health. For it to succeed, data on waste generation and composition should be availed. This research established the amount and composition of solid waste generated in Egerton University and the surrounding community. It was a cross-sectional survey of 40 households drawn from students, tenants and farmers. Generation and composition was determined using principles outlined by Pfammatter and Schertenleib. Waste generated was generally low for all respondents. Per capita waste generation of 142.31 g for tenants, 70 g for students and 102 g for farmers was lower than the average daily per capita waste generated in low income groups in the urban areas of developing countries. Food waste was the largest component for tenants and students, making up 69% and 73% of total waste generated by weight, respectively. Sweepings (mostly soil) made the largest fraction of waste (93%) of the total waste for farmers. Thus, waste generation was influenced by income with respondents earning highest generating the most. Also, waste composition was characteristic of developing counties with food waste having higher percentage (65%) of all total waste.