Municipal Solid Waste Management Practices and the Feasibility of Integrated Solid Waste Management in Bakoteh, Kanifing Municipal Council, The Gambia
Abstract
This study assessed municipal solid waste management (MSWM) practices in the Bakoteh community within the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), The Gambia, focusing on waste generation patterns, household disposal methods, community perceptions, and the feasibility of Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM). A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed using a structured questionnaire administered to a probability-sampled population of 100 respondents. Instrument reliability was confirmed via pilot testing (α=0.81). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Cramer's V, and Chi-square (χ2) tests of independence using exact Monte Carlo diagnostics to account for sparse cell distributions. Results show that recyclable materials (55%) and organic waste (30%) were identified by respondents as the most frequently observed waste types in their immediate environment. Half of the households (50%) rely on municipal waste collection services, while substantial proportions engage in open dumping (20%) and open burning (10%), highlighting critical service coverage gaps. Awareness of ISWM was moderate (55%). Regarding perceived feasibility, 60% of respondents selected “feasible,” while 25% selected “very feasible. Inferential analysis revealed that familiarity with ISWM was significantly associated with occupation (χ2=10.52, df=3,p = 0.015,V=0.324), with civil servants showing higher awareness due to formal institutional exposure. All other socio-demographic cross-tabulations—including education level, age, marital status, and nationality—showed no statistically significant associations (p > 0.05), demonstrating that waste management challenges in Bakoteh are structural and community-wide rather than driven by individual socio-demographic profiles. The study concludes that transitioning to ISWM—supported by improved municipal infrastructure, source segregation, policy enforcement, and inclusive community engagement—is essential for sustainable waste management in Bakoteh, KMC