Assessment of Solid Waste Management (SWM) Practices in Hawassa University Campuses, Ethiopia

This study was conducted in four campuses of Hawassa University (HU), Ethiopia, with the aim of identifying the major sources, composition and quantity of solid wastes and solid waste management (SWM) practices. Key informant interview and visual assessment was carried out to identify the major sources, sampling sites, measurement points and management practices. The wastes were segregated and categorized into classes and measured for seven consecutive days in each campus. The result showed that about 35,364.2 Kg of food leftover and more than 10,541.4 kg of paper, plastic, grass and leaves, medical waste, and some other mixed solid waste were generated every week. From the total waste more than 92 % was recyclable and 81.5% was organic. The food leftover was managed by selling to ranchers, giving it to poor-of-the poor, and the remaining was managed through damping. The clinical wastes, papers and some other wastes were burned and only limited solid waste was recycled. Generally, the SWM practice in HU is reactive to the problems and a more proactive solution is required. For instance, conversion of organic waste to biogas could reduce the cafeterias cooking firewood spending, greenhouse gas emission and other socio-economic and environmental impacts associated with SWM problem. Recycling of paper waste by selling to pulp and paper factory can also be a feasible and win-win strategy for the university and the environment as the experience gained from Adama Science and Technology University.