Challenges and Opportunities in Municipal Solid Waste Management: In the Case of Shashemene Town, West Arsi Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Waste adversely influences environment, economy, aesthetics and health, so it needs to be managed in order to keep the environment clean, make wise use of resources and protect public health. Hence, this study aimed to identify the challenges and opportunities in municipal solid waste management in Shashemene town, West Arsi Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Multistage sampling procedure including both probability and non-probability sampling techniques was employed. Data were collected from 166 residential and 34 non-residential areas respondents and analyzed with IBM SPSS and STATA/MP statistical software. Probit binary regression analysis revealed that household awareness, education level and willingness to pay for solid waste management, distance between waste disposal site and residence, and access to waste collectors were significant and positively correlated with effective solid waste management (t-test, p<0.05). Notable among challenges in municipal solid waste management were inadequate collection, transportation and disposal processes whereas, source of recycling and reusing materials, energy and employment considered as opportunities. The study concluded that, there was no single waste management system in place in the town. Therefore, stakeholders need to adopt integrated SWM system. Besides, access to biological and thermal treatment facilities, waste disposal services should be improved in collaboration with and through recognition of stakeholders that build technical, financial and administrative capacity.