Assessing Local Communities’ Perception on Domestic Waste Management in Gasabo District, Rwanda

With accelerated urbanization in developing countries like Rwanda, waste generation has become a significant challenge, leading to health hazards and environmental pollution. In Gasabo District, (Rwanda), there is a pressing need to address inadequate waste management practices and foster community participation for sustainable solutions. However, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding local communities' perception on domestic waste management, highlighting the necessity for this research. Thus, this study aimed at examining the perception of local communities on domestic waste management in Gasabo District. This research employed a descriptive research design with a mixed method of quantitative and qualitative approach. A number of 399 respondents were sampled using stratified and proportionate sample from 249,420 households and given questionnaires during data collection while 5 local leaders and 15 waste collectors were interviewed and purposively sampled from Gasabo District. Data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 23.0 and Microsoft Excel, aiming to uncover patterns, correlations, and statistical significance in the collected data. The local community perception in Gasabo District demonstrated a moderate agreement (mean = 3.580 to 4.190, SD = 0.745 to 0.986) with waste management initiatives, alongside a recognition of challenges in resource access and the need for improvement. Meanwhile, domestic waste management practices revealed varied perceptions, with a notable gap in waste sorting and segregation but moderate agreement on increasing recycling practices (mean = 2.950 to 4.260, SD = 0.693 to 1.256). Correlation analysis indicates significant positive correlations (r = 0.100 to 0.183, p < 0.001) between community perceptions and waste management aspects, emphasizing factors like education, government policies, and community engagement. Regression analysis further underscores the impact of these factors on waste segregation, recycling adoption, and infrastructure development, with community engagement emerging as a significant positive predictor. In conclusion, the study underscores the importance of community engagement, education, and government support in enhancing waste management practices in Gasabo District, Rwanda. Collaboration among stakeholders, active participation of residents, and effective policies are crucial for achieving sustainable waste management. Prioritizing these recommendations can lead to a cleaner and more sustainable environment.