Abstract:
Rapid urbanization and population growth in Mbale City have exacerbated solid waste
management (SWM) challenges, resulting in environmental pollution, public health risks,
and inefficiencies in waste collection and disposal. This study evaluates the current state of
SWM in Mbale City, identifies existing gaps, and proposes a Geographic Information
System (GIS)-based framework to optimize waste collection and disposal. The study
analysed waste generation patterns across residential, commercial, and industrial areas using
field surveys, interviews, GIS mapping, and remote sensing. Results indicate that over 75%
of the total waste generated is organic, followed by plastics (12%), paper (5%), and other
materials (8%). Despite a daily waste generation of approximately 250 tons, only 55% is
collected, leaving 45% uncollected, which contributes to illegal dumping and environmental
hazards. Furthermore, only 20% of the collected waste is properly disposed of in designated
landfills, while 80% is mismanaged due to inadequate infrastructure and collection
inefficiencies. A GIS-based framework was developed to enhance waste management
efficiency by identifying waste generation hotspots, optimizing collection routes, and
improving resource allocation. Route optimization analysis demonstrated that implementing
GIS-based collection strategies reduced travel distances by 15%, leading to lower
operational costs and a 30% improvement in waste collection efficiency. The study also
found that waste collection frequency varies significantly, with high-density areas
experiencing delays of up to 7 days, worsening sanitation conditions. The findings
emphasize the urgent need for improved waste management strategies, including increased
waste collection coverage, expansion of recycling initiatives, and stricter enforcement of
waste disposal regulations. By integrating GIS technology, this study provides a data-driven
approach to enhancing waste collection efficiency and promoting sustainable urban waste
management in Mbale City.
