Household Solid Waste Generation and Composition in Njoro Division, Nakuru County, Kenya

Aim: The objective of the study was to establish the waste per capita per day and the composition of solid waste generated in the study area.

Study Design: The study was a descriptive, cross sectional survey.

Place and Duration: The study was carried out within Egerton University and the neighbouring community located in Njoro and Mukungugu sub-location, in Njoro Division, Nakuru County, Kenya. The study was carried out in the middle of January – May 2009 semester within a period of seven day as recommended by Pfammatter and Schertenleib (1996).

Methodology: The sample size was 103 households and household equivalent units, drawn from students within the Egerton University halls of residence, tenants within and outside the University and farmers outside the University.

Results: Waste per day per capita generated was generally low being 105.87±15.54 g which was lower than the average generated in low income areas of urban centres of developing countries. Food waste was the largest fraction of total waste at 55%, followed by fines (22%) and plastics 11%.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the study findings established that the waste composition was largely in agreement with what is expected in developing countries whereby the largest fraction was food waste however, the waste amounts were lower than the average expected for developing countries.