Determinants of Households Willingness to Participate In Solid Waste Separation for Reduce, Reuse and Recycle: The Case of Dar es Salaam

Abstract

Using households as units of analysis, and Dar es Salaam as a case, this study employs the logistic regression model to investigate and assess factors that determine households’ willingness to participate in wastes separation for reuse and recycle. Analysis based on descriptive statistics established that out of 450 households, most respondents (60%) are not aware of wastes separation and sorting for reduce, reuse and recycle. Of those who aware, only a few engaged in wastes separation and sorting for reduce, reuse and recycling; and even for these, the sorting is only limited to plastics bottles (more than 70%). Regression results find that households’ willingness to participate in domestic waste separation and sorting for reuse and recycle is influenced by array of factors, including: education, household’s level of income, wards handling status, incentive in terms of monetary and peers influence—all these are statistically significant. To enhance higher levels of household participation in wastes separation and sorting there must be stronger stakeholders’ participation and involvement in issues of waste collection and management in urban areas; and proper channels for enhancing knowledge and awareness about waste collection and management. More importantly, wastes separation at source is critical to effectively implement the 3Rs initiative, which is today perceived as solutions to challenges of managing wastes as well as offering income to material sorters, generate employment and promote industries and local artisans who utilizing reuse and recycled materials.