Mekelle University

Institute of Paleo-Environment and Heritage Conservation (IPHC)

Department of Heritage Conservation and Management
MA in Tourism Development

Assessment of Solid Waste Management and its Impacts on Tourism Development in Mekelle
City, North Ethiopia”

By: Hailay G/kirstos

ID Number: IPEHC/PR159616/11

Principal Advisor: G/kiros Weldegebriel (Assistant Professor)

Co-Advisor Dr. Shankar Sirinivasan

June, 2020
Mekelle,Tigray,Ethiopia

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Abstract
Solid waste is one of the major types of wastes that exist as a core problem for tourism industry in
various cities of the world. Recently, especially in developing countries the amount of solid waste is
increasing at high rate due to huge expansion of urbanization, population and industrialization and
this leads a key challenges for handling solid waste management. Eventually this severely affects like
human health, natural environment, unattractive dirty destination area and tourist become boring and
dissatisfied in every corner of the city. The main purpose of this study is to ´Examine Solid Wastes
Management practices and its Impacts on Tourism Development in Mekelle City ´. The research
effectively performed and utilized both the descriptive and explanatory survey methods. Besides, a
cross - sectional survey was selected for this study. The target population for this study were
comprised a total of 1000 that consists of both workers and tourists in the study areas and among the
target population 100 respondents were nominated via Stratified random sampling and additionally
utilized purposive sampling, semi structured interview with 12 interviewees, and two focus group
discussion. Two groups like FGD1 and FGD2 having with the number of 5 members at each group
have been selected from local concerned bodies and international tourists respectively. The collected
data was analyzed and utilized both qualitative and quantitative mechanism through and at time
manipulated Pareto chart analysis and SPSS software version 20. The ultimate findings of the
research regarding to types solid wastes and expansion rate in Mekelle city,88% the respondent stated
plastic waste found at very high rate and 69% become food wastes,78.8% of Construction waste and
71% become ashes/dusts/,and the remain 58.2% become hazards wastes. And those solid wastes
results improper solid waste management in the city. The improper solid waste management has a
fatal impact on human health (93.8%), environment (92.6%), tourism development (91.4%), soc-
cultural image (87%), and lastly 73.6% become on economic aspects respectively. Finally the findings
of the research also addressed how to assured sustainable tourism development, enhancing of health
safety , attractive environment in accommodation centers and destination areas, Minimizing costs for
disposal wastes, enhancing tourism investment and it creates a fabulous destination image And also
the study indicated as a baseline input and serve as a secondary source of data for those who need to
conduct further investigation on solid waste management practices and its impacts on tourism
development in various towns of Tigray Regional state

Key Words፦ solid waste, Management practice, impact, tourism development and Mekelle city
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Introduction
Solid waste management is a process of collecting, transporting, storing, recycling, or disposing of
solid waste or the subsequent use of disposal site that is no longer operational in most cities and
destination areas (Cheever, 2018).

According to the UNWTO indicated that “a city which is not good for its citizens is not good for
tourists “and the area must reduce its wastes, pollution and develop through several activities and
synergies green cities. Hence, tourism is one of the most powerful economies of the world (Kumar,
2004).

By the survey of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) of 151 mayors of cities
around the world, the second most serious problem (after unemployment) faced by city dwellers is
insufficient solid waste management system by 2025 (UNDP, 1997, Draft Report, Part 3).

It has been estimated that about 30 – 50 % of the waste generated in developing countries like Asia
and Africa is never collected waste accumulates in vacant lots or is simply discharged into bodies
of water, street, rivers and walkway. As a result of inadequate disposal and excessive littering, the
burden of waste leads towns and cities are not more attractive for tourist in accommodations and
destinations hence recently waste transferring from the collection system to the street cleaning
system (Schüberleret et al., 1996; and UNEP, 2005).

In developing countries, most of the collected municipal solid waste is dumped on land in a more
or less uncontrolled manner and inadequate waste disposal practices create serious environmental
problems affecting not only the health of humans and animals, but also environmental degradation
caused by inadequate waste disposal management totally leads to contamination of surface,
groundwater, air pollution, burning of wastes, and spreading of diseases (Kung 1990).

Ethiopian authors who made claims that open water sources including rivers are widely used as
waste disposal sites and suggesting protected water sources might improve health outcomes and
create attractive environment for tourists in urban and rural areas (Forum for Environment-Bahir
Dar, 2010).

Mekelle one of the capital city of Tigray regional state and recently highly expanding its
urbanization, industry ,stability of peace, immigration and increasing population size and this lead
for the city become the center of tourism investment, and a certain national conferences. Despite

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the fact, currently the city is greatly influenced by uncontrolled of waste released from industry,
commercial, and residential areas per day like breeding of mosquitoes, communicable diseases,
garbage’s, sold wastes, urine, highland, condom and cigarette which are not get treated or disposed
in the right manner. Besides, there is no strong ground rule for controlling wastes from responsible
bodies and other stakeholders in providing Environmental Education and Waste-Management
Discipline to the society. As a result of this incident, the researcher is interested to conduct solid
waste management practice and its impacts on tourism development in Mekelle city

In the twentieth century, due to industrial revolution, technological development, consumption

patterns of the people, urbanization, rapid population growth and improper use of natural
resources, and goods eventually leads huge amounts of solid wastes are producing every day,
creating core problem for their solid waste disposal management, and now days demanding waste
disposal management approach generating smart cities for smart tourism (Tcobanoglous et.al
2002).

A number of hotels are now taking environmental issues seriously and are embarking on
sustainable tourism development via waste disposal management activities like recycling, water
treatment, and energy conservation, environmental education, waste management and afforestation
and recently growing of environmental consciousness in the industry can be attributed to
government regulation, changing consumer demand, advocacy initiatives by NGOs, professional
associations, International Hotels& Environmental Initiative (IHEI 2017).

Improper waste disposal management practice in various cities of the world today may harm the
environment and that lead to uncontrolled decomposition, pollute soil, air, water, and also creating
unattractive destination areas for tourists and aggravate climate change by increasing greenhouse
gas (Sisto et al., 2017).

According to (Troschinetz and Mihelcic, 2009) the same pattern noted that the rapid urban
population growth, industrial progress, and growing urban areas in East Africa leads the solid-
waste management burden situation and worsened by poor funding for urban sanitation
departments and a lack of enforcement of sanitation regulations and at least 100 million people in
East Africa lack access to improved sanitation and their historical sites and natural environment
highly deteriorated by unmanageable tons of solid wastes

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Waste was improperly disposed of in the streets, walkway and given the tragic consequences of the
past, it is vital that improving waste management practices in the growing cities of Ethiopia be a
top priority. (Dobe et al, 2011).

Based on the preliminary survey, the researcher observed physically improper solid waste disposal
management in the study area, especially in a few organizations like four star hotels ,firms and
plastic industry are performing waste disposal management via composting, water treatment,
producing biogas ,recycling of plastic wastes and bottles whereas most of the sub cities of Mekelle
were not practically implemented on the ground effectively .As a result of this circumstance,
recently Mekelle city highly exposed in to the following major problems such as, breeding of
mosquitoes ,communicable diseases, garbage’s, sold wastes, urine highland, condom and cigarette
are widespread at every street and walk way of the city.

Apart from this, People don’t take the waste in to designated disposal points, there is no system of
keeping the Bio degradable and non-Bio degradable waste separately in most sub cities wastes are
disposed at an open dump without going in to the details of operating site wastes and there is no
adherence to any standards or norms for disposal and at the same time sites are not scientifically
managed.

The researcher tried to address the empirical gaps like most of the literature review that studied in
developed and in developing countries regarding to solid waste management merely focused its
impact on human health and environment but did not focused on the image of tourism
development.

The researcher was motivated to conduct this study as there was no attempt made to investigate the
impact of solid waste management practices of tourism development especially with regard to
social, and cultural, economic, environmental health value to the city communities in some
aspects. The researcher will assess by studying current incidents on solid waste disposal
management practices and its impacts on tourism development in Mekelle city that will document
the finding and will be utilized as further guideline for other researchers.

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2.1. Concepts of Solid Wastes
According to Tcobanoglous (1993), defined, solid waste as “all the wastes arising from human and
animal activities that are normally solid and that are discarded as useless or unwanted. The term
solid waste... is all-inclusive, encompassing the heterogeneous mass of throwaways from the urban
community as well as the more homogeneous accumulation of agricultural, industrial, and mineral
wastes”. But, as mention earlier, we have to be careful as regards the implications of the terms
"useless" and "unwanted", since they can potentially miscommunication the real nature of the
concept of 'solid waste’.

People usually a tendency of relating to solid waste with dirt, nuisance, and lack of value, useless,
unwanted, and cost of disposal. But it is in relative sense that solid wastes are considered as useless
or unwanted. Because (solid) wastes which are of little or no use to the one who discards them
could be useful in other settings, however, it is not necessarily imply to all aspects; somebody also
may use them as a vital resource in some other way. It is widely trusted that solid wastes can be
potential resources, for example, to produce compost (or Bio-fertilizer) or biogas, or to recycle and
reuse them, [Edelman, 1997:1].Actually the researcher addressed the misconception of people
found either in developing or under developing countries, and also he inducted its advantages
merely as an input for agricultural production. But beyond this circumstance the researcher didn’t
tried to see ,if solid waste properly managed and its benefits in various aspects like in tourism,
health, social, cultural , economic, political, and environmental aspects. Some of the main factors
that influence the rate of generation and composition of solid wastes, for instance, as indicated in
World Health Organization in 1976 (as cited in Rush brook) include the number of population, the
standard of living (economic status of the people- average level of income of the people), the
social and religious customs of the people, attitude of the people, physical characteristics of the
city (e.g. climate and seasonal variation), the sources (origin) of the wastes, and the public health-
awareness, creating environmental attractive for tourist (Rush brook, 1999, and Edelman, 1997).

2.2. The Relationship between Solid Waste and Management

The term 'solid waste management' comprises two important concepts: 'solid waste' and
'management' a discipline that associated with the control of generation, storage, solid collection,
transfer and transport, processing, and disposal of wastes in a manner that is in accord with the best
principles of public health, economics value, engineering, conservation, aesthetic, environmental

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conditions for tourist entertainment and that also is responsive to public attitudes (Tcobanoglous
(1977).

2.3. The Historical Development of Solid Waste Management System

Solid waste management (SWM) has a long history and trace back to ancient times. One of the
first instances of waste management occurred in the 4th century A.D. with the Ancient Greeks.
The Greeks had to deal with the multiple challenges of aligning waste removal systems with a
growing population, lack of space, and sanitation problems. Waste management practices were
very rudimentary with trash just being collected and transported to pits outside the city (Nathan
son, 2015).Beside Cities began to grow rapidly to accommodate the growing population and
conditions began to worsen for these cramped communities. The plagues that affected Europe
between the 14th and 16th centuries were often perpetrated by vermin that thrived in the unsanitary
urban conditions that were common this time and early waste-management techniques were
developed during this period to combat the spread of disease but the political and social problems
of the time did not see great strides in waste management.

It was not until the 18th century that municipal collection of garbage had begun in of the world’s
major cities, but the methods were still fairly crude .During the Industrial Revolution, Europe and
the United States were experiencing rapid development that created greater amounts of waste.
Waste started to become a concern and this “Age of Sanitation” began. Communities began to
organize waste collection and disposal to help maintain public health and attractive environment
for residence and tourist relaxation (Metzger, 2009). In the latter part of the 19th century and into
the 20th century, technological advances included the use of garbage cans and creation of
incinerators and sanitary landfills; the latter replaced the practice of open dumping and has become
a common practice in the developed world (Hoornweg, 2007)

In the twenty one century, due to industrial revolution and technology development, consumption
patterns of the people, all over the globe, have changed. The use of natural resources and goods
has increased manifold. This leads huge quantities of different types of solid wastes are produced
every day, creating an alarming problem of their disposal. It is now recognized that proactive
management is required to deal with this problem, i.e., it is required to reduce the generation of
solid waste, effective collection of solid waste and utilization of solid waste rather than
concentrating on disposal alone. Solid waste management involves management of activities

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associated with generation, storage, collection, transfer and transport, reuse and recycling,
processing and disposal which should be environmentally compatible, attracting tourist, adapting
to the principles of economy, aesthetics, and energy conservation ( Al-Khatib and Kibbutz et
al.,2012).

2.4. The Current Situation of Solid Waste Management Practices in Developed

and Developing Countries

The modern waste-management industry in the developed world has come far, and with recycling
and other advances it will continue to grow and change with the needs of the community.
However, countries in the developing world have yet to see many of these changes to their own
solid-waste management systems (SWMS). Today, solid waste conditions in the developing world
are quite dire; present SWMS in these countries are more reminiscent of conditions found in past
SWMS in the developed world (Al-Khatib et al., 2009).

Communities in developing countries often turn to waste disposal methods that proven to be
destructive to human health and the environment, such as open dumping and burning (or
unregulated landfills) because they feel they have no other options to manage their solid Waste

(Hilburn,2015).

According to (Narayan, 2009) with industrial progress, growing urban areas and rapid growth,
solid-waste management has a major concern in many developing countries. A case study
conducted in various rural cities in India found that trash was frequently dumped or burned in
unregulated areas. Although burning trash is illegal, hundreds of thousands of people with no
garbage pickup have no other choice for disposal of their waste. Households in these communities
maintain localized trash pits, where waste is deposited daily and burned biweekly. Once the pits
become full, the waste remnants are transported to larger pits on the edge of the town.

According to (Troschinetz and Mihelcic, 2009) the same pattern noted that the rapid urban
population growth, industrial progress, and growing urban areas in East Africa leads the solid-
waste management burden situation and worsened by poor funding for urban sanitation
departments and a lack of enforcement of sanitation regulations and at least 100 million people in
East Africa lack access to improved sanitation and their historical sites and natural environment
highly deteriorated by unmanageable tons of solid wastes.
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Figure 2.2 Solid Waste Land Fill in Developed Countries

Figure 2.3 Solid Waste Land Fill in

Developing Countries (Mekelle City)

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2.6. The Relationship between Solid waste Management and Tourism
Development
In the last three decades refuse collection and waste disposal industry have been affected by the
growing volume of urban solid wastes, which fosters landfill collapses and it has negative impacts
on environmental quality, tourist destinations and urban sanitation (Nicolle et al., 2010).

The same pattern, improper handling of MSW could cause serious damage to ecosystem services
by increasing water, soil and air pollution (More et al., 2006). Similarly, furthermore, it may also
increase the probability of serious impacts on public health, tourism development and unexpected
economic expense for disposal solid wastes (Al-Khatib et al., 2010).This is why one of the major
environmental challenges of tourism destinations areas and cities is the design of appropriate
policies aimed to manage the amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) generated by households,
industry, commercial areas, increasing and tourist inbound flows that made complex the relation
between solid waste management and tourism development(Mezier, (2013).

The relationship between tourism and MSW generation, the results show that the characteristics of
tourism activities (volume, quality of tourism and specialization degree in tourism) have a
significant influence on the volume of MSW. One special feature of tourism destinations is that the
services provided in them are consumed by mobile customers (tourists) who visit the destination
(Song, 2012), the development of tourism destinations has a direct relationship with waste
generation. However, the way in which the characteristics of the sector affect MSWM has not been
fully analyzed in the academic literature and the revivers is true (Papachristou et al. 2009).

2.11. The Impacts of Improper solid Waste Management on Tourism

Development
Improper solid waste is often dumped in abandoned quarries or similar sites. Residents living close
to the dumpsite are exposed to environmental and disease risks. The disposal sites are, in most
cases, located in environmentally sensitive, low-laying areas such as wetlands, forest edge or
adjacent to bodies of water. They often do not have liners, fences, soil covers and compactors as is
in most developing countries and finally leads to like hindering environmental sustainability
tourism development, decreasing investment tourism, diminishing environmental attractiveness for
tourist, Descending medical tourism, creating bad cultural and social image affecting both

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environmental and personal hygiene, and increasing of cost for waste disposal. (Troschinetz and
Mihelcic,2009).

Currently, The production of Urban Solid Waste (USW) is increasing from year to year and this
phenomenon results from the following factors increase in population; market liberalization,
extremely aggressive marketing, advertising strategies, Appearance of products with a short life
span. This situation, linked to the defects in the USW management system, has as its consequences
like, reduction in the useful space available, direct threats to health from pathogens, indirect
damage to health from pollution of the air, ground water, degradation of sanitation the drainage
systems, spoiled historical sites, and defective supply of clean drinking water.( Edelman,2015).

The outcome of non-participation of communities in solid waste management was manifested in

careless and irresponsible disposal of waste in public streets, along the roads and highways, and
around communal bins for residential waste results negative impact on the mind tourist creates
uncomfortable environmental satisfaction, creates undesirable cultural and social image on the
local community, short stay of guests, decreasing income from tourist, increasing cost for disposal
of wastes and degrading of environment and populating environment, bad odor, and health risks(Al
Khatib et al.2017).

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Figure 1.1Mekelle City and its Sub City Boundary

Sources:- Mekelle city Administration 2012 E.C

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Table 3.1 Mekelle City Population Size
Project Censes ot the Total Mekelle city population 2010 till2012 E.C
Poula tion of 2010 E.C Poula tion of 2011 E.C No of popn Poula tion of 2012 E.C
No Subcity Ke be le M F Tota l
M F Tota l
M F Tota l
1 Ha dne t Smre t 12742 13217 25953 13061 13547 26608 14561 15104 29665
We rie 7228 7950 15178 7409 8149 15557 8259 9085 17344
Ayna le m 7310 6756 14066 7493 6925 14418 8353 7720 16073
Me tke l 7350 7580 14930 7534 7770 15303 8399 8662 17061
De bri 6207 5727 11934 6362 5870 12232 7093 6545 13638
Tota l 40837 41230 82067 41859 42261 84120 46665 47116 93781
2 Ha we lti Se la m 4989 5373 10362 5563 5990 11553 6202 6678 12880
Ha ye lom 5595 8477 14072 6238 9452 15690 6955 10538 17493
Adishnduhe n 12492 14326 26818 13929 15973 29902 15530 17809 33339
Momona 10889 10892 21781 12141 12145 24286 13537 13541 27078
Hda ssie 13458 14160 27618 14080 15788 29868 15699 17605 33304
Tota l 47423 53228 100651 51951 59348 111299 57923 66171 124094
3 Quiha Asme la sh 5318 6702 12020 5430 6843 12273 6054 7629 13683
Abrha 6810 8586 15396 6953 8766 15719 7752 9774 17526
shmbte a 4685 5909 10594 4884 6161 11045 5445 6869 12314
Ma ytse do 4475 5630 10105 4665 5869 10534 5201 6543 11744
Tota l 21288 26827 48115 21932 2739 49571 24452 30815 55267
4 Se me n Me sifn 7348 7963 15311 7686 8329 16015 8569 9286 17855
De de bit 4506 4893 9399 4714 5118 9832 5256 5706 10962
Ye ka tit 6107 6758 12865 6388 7070 13458 7122 7883 15005
Industry 3893 4307 8200 4072 4505 8577 4540 5023 9563
Me le s 11605 11970 23575 12142 12520 24662 13538 13959 27497
Tota l 33459 35891 69350 35002 37542 72544 39025 41857 80882
5 K/we ya ne Wa lta 5890 6031 11921 6167 6314 12481 6876 7040 13916
Ze sla s 3432 4357 7789 3594 4562 8156 4007 5006 9013
Se la me 4502 5682 10184 4714 5949 10663 5256 6633 11889
Ha ria 3702 3881 7583 3876 4064 7940 4321 4531 8852
Tota l 17526 19951 37477 18351 20889 39240 20460 23210 43670
6 Ayde r Se rtse 6363 6005 12368 6047 7159 13206 6876 7040 13916
Ginbot 4202 4375 8577 6031 6458 12489 6724 7200 13924
Ma rta 6038 6457 12495 6804 8014 14818 7586 8935 16521
Adiha 6416 6679 13095 4936 7975 12911 5503 8892 14395
Ma ria mde ha n 2973 3095 6068 4157 4157 10355 4635 4635 9270
Tota l 25992 26611 52603 27975 35804 63779 31324 36702 68026
7 Adiha ki Amora 9687 10891 20578 10135 11396 21531 11300 12706 24006
Ha ye lom 3894 4363 8257 4074 4565 8639 4542 5089 9631
Tsina twe ya ne 8243 8195 16438 8625 8574 17199 9616 9560 19176
Hda ssie 7574 5814 13388 7924 6083 14007 8835 6782 15617
De bre ge ne t 1560 1588 3149 1633 1034 2667 1820 1852 3672
Tota l 30960 30851 61811 32391 32279 64670 36113 35989 72102
Tota l numbe r of popula tion 217485 234589 452074 458922 483956 485223 255962 281860 537822

BPED = Bureau of Planning and Economic Development of Mekelle City 2020

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Methodology
The researcher utilized descriptive research type because it examines the current status of solid
waste management practices and its contribution on the image of tourism development and permits
the researcher to describe the situation that would be held in the span, consequence and its
trends((Kothari (2004). Descriptive research type method that assist for the researcher to analyzes
data/inputs/ using ratios, percentages, averages, variance, and standard deviations, And also Pareto
–charts, tables and diagrams to graphically describe the existing circumstance, explaining the
present incidents and predicting for future.

Exploratory research is defined as the initial research or a preliminary stage this is where a
researcher has an idea or has observed something, depth interview and effective focus group
discussion and seeks to understand more about it. An exploratory research design is an attempt to
lay the groundwork that will lead to future studies or to determine if what is being observed might
be explained by a currently existing. Most often, exploratory research design helps to the
researcher to explain qualitative data/inputs/ (Kothari 2004).

By and large, target population means the parent domain from which a sample to be formed or
refers to the group or a collection that researcher is interested to draw generalization (Kothari
(2004).In this the researcher had been taken the respondents from the target population which more
appropriated and integrated with the research problem (production companies, tourism sector,
municipal office administration, health sector, service providers, and visitors).

This section focused with the target population, sampling technique, and the size of the sample
used for the study. There were two types of sampling techniques namely probability and non-
probability sampling. For this research both probability and non-probability sampling techniques
were utilized. From probability sampling the study was used stratified random sampling and for
non-probability sampling deliberate sampling was implemented.

According to Kothari (2004), if the population from which a sample is to be drawn does not
constitute a homogeneous group, then stratified sampling technique is applied so as to obtain a
representative sample. In this technique, the population was stratified into a number of non-
overlapping sub-populations or strata and sample items were selected from each stratum. If the
items selected from each stratum is based on simple random sampling the entire procedure, first
stratification and then simple random sampling, is known as stratified random sampling. For the
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stratified population the researcher was used random sampling to achieve representative sample
size.

According to Kothari (2004).Deliberate sampling was also known as purposive or non-probability

sampling. This sampling method involves purposive or deliberate selection of particular units of
the target population for constituting a sample which represents the target population. By used
deliberate sampling the researcher was gathered intended data and information through semi
structured interview and focus Group Discussion from those who were purposively selected
because they were discuss in depth and also shared idea among to each other and finally, they were
come up with fact reasons and solutions regarding to the research problem.

3.6. Sample Size

The sample size of the study was determined based on the calculation method of Israel Glenn
(1992), which is reliable up to 90% and deviation factor is less than 0.1( social scientists usually
establish a cut-off point at 10% chance of sampling error).
N
n= 2 where,
1+ N ( e )
n= Sample size unit or respondents
N= Size of the total house hold representatives/the sampling frame of population
e= acceptable error in social science:
Table 3.2 Stratified Sampling from Target Population

Name of the organization/pop category Frequency N

Sample Size n= 2
1+ N ( e )

Mekelle Municipal Office 150 (150÷1000)100 = 15

Culture and Tourism Bureau of Tigray 76 (76÷1000)100 = 7.6≈ 8

Tigray Bureau Health Office 114 (114÷1000)100 =11.4 ≈ 11

Tourists 350 (350÷1000)100 = 35

Recycling plastic Industry 240 (240÷1000)100 = 24

Service providers/Hotels and Restaurants/ 70 (70÷1000)100 = 7

Total 1000 100

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Source: own computation from different sources, 2020

The data type for this study was both qualitative and quantitative data. The qualitative and
quantitative data could be from the primary sources such as the questionnaire, interview, and focus
group discussion and field trip .and secondary data reports from the supportive related
literature ,internet that were published and unpublished documents from Governmental and Non-
Governmental organization and also from and international tourists had been used as sources of
data.

The methods of data collection were basically how you would build up the research in stages used
different research methods. The methods involved for collecting data are questionnaires’, semi
structured interview, observation, and field tripe regarding to solid waste management practices
and its impacts on tourism development from Governmental and Non-Governmental institutions,
firms and international tourists.

Questionnaire was prepared in the form of both open and closed ended question to gathered
relevant data from respondents. The questionnaires were consists of two sections; the general
background and opinion scale questions.

With regard to semi – structured interview, the researcher was employed profound interview
with12 persons especially General Manager, Bureau head officers, tourists, and technical experts
of the study areas that provided effective reasons behind to examine the problem of solid waste
management practices and its impact on tourism development in Mekelle city.

This method used to check the reliability of the data collected through survey questionnaire and
key informant interview. Further to consolidate the research also used focus group discussion to
gathered additional information about causes for problem of solid waste and to seeking good
strategic solid waste management practices. Two groups like FGD1 and FGD2 having with the
number of 5 members at each group have been nominated from local concerned bodies and
international tourists respectively.

This method refers to the researcher was made a tour in the problem of waste area and collected
data via photograph image as testimony and critical evidence for the study.

Primary data mainly was taken in to account interviews and questionnaires and collected from
private organizations, Tigray Bureau Health Office, Mekelle Municipal Office, Culture and

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Tourism Bureau of Tigray, Culture and Tourism of Mekelle City and Administrative Office and
international tourists. Secondary Source of Data

Further to consolidate primary data the researcher was collected other purified data from internet,
textbooks, supportive related documents that were published source.

The study was utilized both quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques for the data
acquired as stated below:

After collected questionnaire data, both descriptive statistics and pareto-chart analysis principle
were employed to study the relationship among the variables.

Descriptive statistics data analysis method was applied to analyzed numerical data gathered using
closed ended questions. MS word and MS Excel were used for analysis to generate data array that
was used for subsequent analysis of the data. This would assist in variable response comparison
and gives clear indication of response frequencies. The data was cleaned, coded, categorized per
each of the research variables and then analyzed through descriptive analysis such as percentage,
mean, standard deviation, SPSS and Pareto-chart analysis was also carried out to establish the
relationship among the research variables/to display the root cause, effect analysis and solutions

According to Pareto (1906).The only a ("vital few“(20%) causes are responsible for producing
most (80%) of the problems, and if we correct these few key causes, we will have a greater
probability of success. Besides, it is used to classify problems to show their frequency and set their
priority (which of many problems have the most serious effect or greatest cumulative effect on
quality, productivity, cost, safety, environmental hygiene, and attractiveness. The same pattern also
helps to provide a recommendation mechanism/solution/ for the rout cause. The research findings
were presented and utilized both tables and graphs were used friendly and shown response
frequencies as well as percentages of the respondents’.

Qualitative data obtained from key field interviews, focus group discussions and sound records
were organized, reduced and analyzed based on systematically utilized explanatory ways of
analysis grouping and content analysis to answer some questions regarding to examine solid waste
management practices and its impacts on tourism development in Mekelle city.

Qualitative data analyses method was applied to analyze the data gathered through open end
questions in case of semi structure and focus group discussion that the selected respondents gave

15
their personal opinions on problem of solid wastes and seek best strategies for scale up solid waste
disposal management practices and its impacts on tourism development in the study area.

3.11. Ethical Consideration

First Ethical clearance and approval was obtained from the Ethical Review Committee of Mekelle
University, institute of Paleo environment and heritage conservation. Letter of recommendation for
the study was requested from IPHC director. In addition, the researcher was worked with the sense
honesty, excellence, diligent clarity and originality of each data that collected from various
alternative sources.

Chapter Four
Results and Discussion
This part of the study deals with the presentation, analysis and interpretation of data collected
through questionnaires, interviews, focused group discussions and document analysis to address
the basic research questions. The data gathered through questionnaires were presented in table, bar,
graphs and then statistical tools were used for analysis.

4.1. Survey Result

Data were collected from a total sample size of 100 respondents via questioners. According to the
Tigray Bureau Health Office, Mekelle Municipal Office, Culture and Tourism Bureau of Tigray,
Culture and Tourism of Mekelle City and Administrative Office, international tourist, and service
providers were selected, distributed and the response rate was 94 %. The following table shows the
distributed and collected total questioners.

Table 4.1: Shows the Distributed and Collected Total Questioners

No Respondent Distributed Collected Incorrectly Percentage

filled %

1 Mekelle Municipal Office 15 15 0 100

2 Culture and Tourism Bureau of Tigray 8 7 1 87.5

3 Tigray Bureau Health Office 11 11 0 100

16
4 Tourists 35 33 2 94.28

5 Recycling plastic Industry 24 21 3 87.5

6 Service providers/Hotels and Restaurants/ 7 7 0 100

7 Total 100 94 6 94

Sources: Own survey, 2020

4.2. Socio-Demographic Characteristics of the Respondent

These who gave response to the survey on solid waste management practices and its impacts on
tourism development were include: Mekelle Municipal Office, Culture and Tourism Bureau of
Tigray,, Tigray Bureau Health Office, international tourist, and service providers besides to, key
informant interview selected and conducted with municipal workers and health experts Focus
Group Discussion/FGD/ ,Mekelle city culture and tourism bureau, Mekelle university tourism and
hospitality department ,and tourism service providers of Mekelle city. Some of the demographic
characteristics (sex, age, and educational background, and occupation) of the respondents were
presented in the below figures and tables respectively.

Figure 2.1Gender of the Respondents

48 52
% %
Male
Female

Source: Own Survey, 2020

17
Based on the diagram information obtained on solid waste management practices participant
representative responses of questionnaires, totally male respondents were 52% and the remaining
48% were female. The sex distributions showed on participant representative were composed in a
ratio where males slightly exceed than females in the work station. With local respondents on solid
waste management practices participant and the female respondent were low when compare with
the local females respondents.

Figure 4.2. Age Composition of the Respondents

45
40
40
35
30
30
25 22
20
15
10 8
5
0
21-30 31-40 41-50 51 and above

Source: Own Survey, 2020

Based on the above figure 4.2 the age structure of the respondents was varied. Majority of the
respondents available under the age ranges of 41-50 which scored, 40%). The second largest is
with age range 31-40 which counted 30%) and the third consisted age range of 41-50, 22% became
51 years old and above and the smallest respondent were under the age rages 21-30 scored 8.
Therefore, from above figure, inferred that the researcher gained better concrete and reliable data
regarding the assessment of solid waste management practices its impacts on tourism development,
because most of the respondent age were enough matured.

18
 Figure 4.3. Educational Qualification of the Respondents

70

60 66

50

40

30 33

20

10
0 0 1

0
illtrate Primary School High school College Degree & above

Source: own survey, 2020

The other factor that the researcher intended to identify was by educational level. As indicated in
the above figure 4.3 most of the respondents 66 %), were degree holders and above and followed
by Vocational or college level educated 33% and the last lower stage 1% become high school.

19
 Generally, from the result we can assume that the majority of the respondents were with adequate
educational back ground that was more than 99 % were vocational or college, and degree and
above holders. Particularly in relation to this research finding, it is possible to be accurate since the
data was obtained from knowledgeable and professional who might grasp easily the concept of
solid waste disposal management system and its impacts on tourism development.

Figure 4.4.: Distribution by Occupation of the Respondents

10
Others

Uneployed
0

Employed
86

Student
4

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

Survey conducted by researcher, 2020

In the phenomena of the respondent regarding to their Occupation that indicated in figure 4.4 the
majority of respondents were employed in different sectors which were governmental and non-
governmental institutions which counted for about 86% and followed by 10 % of respondents
which were depended on other economic activities and the last 4 % become students. Eventually,
the data gained more adequate and reliable because most of the respondents were well equipped
experienced in different work conditions.

20
Figure 4.3 Residence Area of the Respondents
Sources: Own Survey

2%
33%

Out of the Region

Local Residence
Out of the Country

65%

As shown in the figure 4.5 the largest numbers of the respondents were lived in the city (65%) and
33% followed by international tourists who lived in different parts of the world .And the smallest 2%
became the domestic tourists. Especially, the international tourists who came from develop countries
had been contributed credible and relevant data/inputs/ regarding to solid waste management practices
and its impacts on tourism development.

21
4.2. Demographic Characteristics of Sample Visitors
This section targeted to show the demographic characteristics of visitors and their perspectives
towards the relevant of the research situation.

Table 4.2 Demographic Characteristics of Sample Visitors

Visitors( n˭ 35)
Demographic characteristics of the visitors Frequency Percent Remark
Sex Male 16 45.71
Female 19 54.28
Total 35 100
Age 21-30 3 8.57
31-40 14 40
41-50 12 34.28
51and above 6 17.14
Total 35 100
Educ

illiterate 0 0
ational

Primary school(1-8) 0 0
level

High school education 1 2.85

Vocational or college 13 37.14
Degree and above 21 60
Total 35 100
Students 4 11.42
Employed 21 60
Occupation

Unemployed 0 0
Others 10 28.57
Total 35 100
In the city 0 0
Nearby the city 0 0
Residence

From other region 2 5.71

Out of the country 33 94.28
Total 35 100
Source: Field survey, 2020
Based on the above table 4.2 the demographic features of the tourists were 54.28 %( 19) females
and 45.71 %( 16) became males and also their age became enough matured from 21 till 51 and
above and most probably found at stage of productive force. Beside their educational background
became diploma and more above degree holders 37.14% and 60% respectively. Apart from this
their occupation 60% were more employed where as 28.57% depend on other economic aspects
and charity activities. Eventually, 94.28 %( 33) were international tourists who came from North
22
and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia while the remained5.71 %( 2) became domestic
tourist from Addis Ababa and Bahir-Dar cities.

4.3. Factors of Motivations for Tourists to Visit Mekelle City

There are many factors that encouraging for tourists to visit any historical sites. Those are like,
historical sites, rich cultural assets, attractive environment, Entertainment, Relaxing, Sanitation,
Good hospitality, socializing, investment, capacity building, charity and other personal purposes.

Inclusively, there are a lot of factors that enhanced tourists to visit Mekelle city and those factors
in detail stipulated in the form of table as stated below.

Table 4.3: Factors of Motivations for Tourists to Visit Mekelle City

Motivations Factors for tourists to Tourists ( n˭ 35)

visit Mekelle city Alternative Frequency Percentage
Have you ever travelled to visit Yes 19 54.28
Tigray Region particularly in No 16 45.71
Mekelle city? Total 35 100
If you answered 'Yes' to question Never 0 0
2.1, how many times? Sometimes 22 62.85
Often 0 0
Very Often 13 37.14
Total 35 100
What is your main motivation to Entertainment 6 17.14
visit Mekelle city? Relaxing 1 2.85
Sanitation
Good hospitality 4 11.42
Environmental 6 17.14
attractiveness
Socializing 1 2.85
Others 17 48.57
Total 35 100
Source: Field survey conducted by researcher 2020
Based on the above table 4.3 for about 54.28 %( 19) had been visited Mekelle city and the
remained 45.71 %( 16) visitors were only visited for the first time. Besides, 62.85 %( 22) had been
visited sometimes and 37.14 %( 13) very often. Apart from this, the main motivation factors which
attracts tourists for different purposes, for instance for about48.57%(17) for others targets like for
charity, human capacity building, business/investment/,to get accommodation facilities before

23
visiting and after visiting/return back from Afar and other historical sites of Tigray Region. For
about 17.14% of per each for Environmental attractiveness and Entertainment respectively and
also for about 11.42% for Good hospitality and the remained 2.85% became for Relaxing and
Socializing.

Generally, from the above table, the researcher can inferred that most of the international tourist
who came from different parts of the world to Mekelle city was new comers while the remained
visitors came seldom. The visitors were encouraged to visit Mekelle city for different purposes like
other factors such as, subsidizing/charity/, to provide human capacity building, for
investment/business/, as transit and for the sake of accommodation facilities before and after
visitation span from Afar Danakil depression, Wukro Rock Hewan Churches, and Axum.

4.4. The Feelings of Visitors on Current Situation of Solid Waste in Mekelle City
Recently, It is clearly known that Mekelle City highly expanding its urbanization rate, population
number, and industrialization and also at the same time much amount tones of solid wastes also
produced at every day, but the people are not well ethically behooved in articulating and managing
solid wastes eventually this leads unattractive healthy environment and tourists became felt
dissatisfaction in their enjoyment span in the city.

24
Table 4.4 The Feelings of Visitors on Current Situation of Solid Waste in Mekelle City

The current situation of solid waste management

practices in Mekelle city. Tourists ( n˭ 35)

Alternative Frequency Percentage

How do you feel the current situation of solid waste Good 02 5.71
disposal management practices in Mekelle city?
Bad 28 80

Neither good 05 14.28

nor bad

Do you think that good solid waste management Very much 31 88.57
contributes a positive image on tourism development?
considerably 4 11.42

A little 0 0

Not at all 0 0

Total 35 100

Do you have best solid waste disposal management Yes 32 91.42

practices in your country?
No 03 8.57

Total 35 100

Source: Field survey, 2020

Based on the above table 4.4 that shows regarding to the feelings of visitors on the current
situation of solid waste management practices in Mekelle city for about 80 %( 28) of visitors felt
bad and the remained 5.71 %( 2) felt good. Besides, 88.57 %( 31) the majority respondent were
supported as good solid waste management contributes a positive image on tourism development
and the remain 11.42 %( 4) gave moderate outlook and in addition to for about 91.42 %( 32) stated
that they have good solid waste management practices in their motherland, but the remained
8.57%(3) have no good solid waste management system in their country or region. the same
pattern according to Ki2, she explained the current situation of solid waste management practices
is found in a good manner, now a days ever sub city has garbage caring cars and trackers and
down town main street road and walk ways cleaned by sanitarian labors and also a certain social
private schools, hospitals, industries, and hotels currently performing solid waste management
25
practices, but not in persistence and effective way. Tigray Regional State has rich both tangible
and intangible amazing cultural assets however practically are not maintained and preserved our
ancestor historical achievements and at the same time our historical sites, accommodation centers,
churches, walk way and street ways are not well cleaned and unattractive environment. As a result
of this condition tourists felt bad and some of the stated that “you have good miracles historical
relics, but bounded a full of garbage and unhealthy environment”. Finally , tourist most of the time
recommended, you have to put dust bin at every historical sites ,clean your environment
regularly ,repair and preserve vernacular architecture without losing their original value this
creates pleasant and attractive environment for local residence and tourists.

4.5. The Feelings of Local Communities on the Current Situation of solid Waste
in Mekelle City
In developed countries, the current performance of their solid waste management be scientifically
well managed and converted those solid wastes in to reuse, recycle, segregation, composite in
fertilizers, hydroelectric power and proper disposal landfills and in addition to every urban and
accommodations even the historical destination areas become more attractive and clean
environment and this leads grate environment and psychological satisfaction in the minds local
residence and customers and at the same time tourists more delighted and stay for a long period of
time in urban centers and destination areas. However, in developing countries especially in
Ethiopia Regional city states, currently the aspects of solid waste management is not effective and
efficient even more merely dependent on municipal sanitarian workers while the remained
communities do not considered as part their environmental duties. Finally, this leads every citizen
become more carless on solid waste management and sanitation and now a day every walk ways,
street ways, churches and rivers highly deteriorated by various solid wastes in Mekelle city and the
local residence and tourists become discomfort and dissatisfied in their relaxation time.

26
Table 4.5 The Feelings of Local Communities on the Current Situation of Solid Waste in Mekelle
city

The current situation of solid waste

management practices in Mekelle Local Respondent Response ( n˭ 65)
city. Alternative Frequency Percentage
What do you feel concerning solid Yes 11 16.92%
waste disposal management in
Mekelle city?

No 54 83.07%
Total 65 100%
Can you say effective solid waste Yes 62 95.38%
disposal management practice has a
positive image on tourism
development in Mekelle city?
No 3 4.61%
Total 65 100%
Could you know some Yes 4 6.15%
organizations or firms that have
good solid waste disposal
management practices in Mekelle No 61 93.94
city?
Total 65 100%
Source: Field survey, 2020

Based on the above table 4.5 for about 83.07% the local respondent offered and felt the worst
regarding to the current situation of solid waste management practices in Mekelle city and 16.92%
they felt good solid waste management in Mekelle city. From this incidents the researcher inferred
that the existence improper solid waste management in Mekelle city. And also concerning to
effective solid waste management 95.38%(62) the local respondent stated that effective solid waste
management has a positive image and good contribution on tourism development in the city while
the remain 4.61%(3) respondent did not supported for the aspect of effective solid waste
management on the image of tourism development in the city. Apart from this, regarding to
organizations/firms/ having good solid waste management in Mekelle city almost 93.94(61)
respondents have not yet any information whereas the remained 6.15 %( 04) respondent know
how about the firms which have good solid waste management experience as bench mark in the
city.

27
4.6. Types of Solid Wastes and Their Expansion Rate in Mekelle City
According to Tcobanoglous (1977), stated term "solid waste management', which merged the two
terms- 'solid Waste' and 'management'; which implies a discipline that associated with the control
of generation, storage, solid collection, transfer and transport, processing, and disposal of wastes in
a manner that is in accord with the best principles of public, health, economics, engineering,
conservation, aesthetic, and keeping attractive environmental conditions for tourists. There are
many types of solid wastes that widespread in Mekelle city now a day including plastic wastes,
food wastes, construction wastes, hazards wastes, and dust wastes.

28
Figure 4.6 Different Types of Solid Wastes found in down town of Mekelle city

Plastic Wastes near to Elaz Cafe Food Wastes near to IQ Corner

Wastes near to LG,and Genfel Hotel. Construction wastes outside Ethio-Telecom.

Mixed wastes near Commercial Bank of Ethiopia Wastes in commercial areas

Sources:-Own camera

29
Figure 4.7 Types of Solid Wastes and Their Expansion Rate in Mekelle City

45
42

40

35
32
30
30 29

25 Very low
Low
Medium
20
20 High
18
17 Very high
15 15 Mean
15 14 14
12
11
10 9 9

6
4.40 5
5 4 4 3.48 3.94 4 4 4 3.55
3 2.91
2 2

0
Plastic wastes Food wastes Costruction Hazardous wastes Ashes/ dust/
wastes wastes

Source: own survey, 2020

Based on the above Figure 4.7 regarding to types solid wastes and expansion rate in Mekelle
city,88% the respondent stated plastic waste found at very high rate and 69% become food
wastes,78.8% of Construction waste and 71% become ashes/dusts/ wastes whereas the remained
58.2% become hazards wastes respectively. Finally, from the above table the respondents
concluded that plastic wastes are existing at very high rate expansion, and secondly, at high stage
become construction wastes and ashes(dust )waste found at medium condition while the remain
food and hazard wastes found at low and very low stages respectively. According to Ki5, he gave
also similar outlooks regarding to the various types of solid wastes for instance the incidents of
plastic wastes in Mekelle city become found at very high rate expansion and that existing in the
form of plastic bags and plastic bottles which are greatly wide spread at every parts of the city.
And every part of the communities after utilized the plastics did not put in the dust bin rather
thrown those plastic at everywhere at any time this leads bad image and crate unattractive
30
pleasant atmosphere for local communities and tourists. And Construction remained material
wastes ranked next to plastic wastes at high speed expansion in the city. Because currently
Mekelle city is found rapid urbanization, increasing population displacement, industries and
investments this results huge amount of construction remain materials also appearing at every sub
city. Besides ashes (dust) wastes found in the third stage and such kind of wastes emitted from
industries like Messebo cement factories and from other man made natural factors. Apart from
this, food wastes ranked at medium stage or found at fourth stage and most of food waste
commonly comes from residential, hotels and restaurants. And a certain food remained vegetables
also appears from commercial areas and put in some trash bins relatively when compare with
plastic and construction wastes and also are not extremely wide spread at everywhere. Eventually,
hazardous waste put at low stages and emanated from chemical industries and hospitals. Even
though those manifested in small amount, they were not disposed and treated scientific manner.

Table 4.6 Solid Waste Interred to Landfills in Mekelle City in One Day
No Kinds of M Research conducted year 2012 E.C
. wastes Q
Quih Kedama Hawel AdiHa Ayd Hadn Semie Tota
a y ti ki er et n l
Weyane %
1 Food Kg 104 90 142 98 101 112 101 748. 13.
waste 5 9
2 Paper Kg 78 43 79.5 82 95 89 76 542. 10.
5 1
3 Textile Kg 46 23 56 39 28 32.5 29 253. 4.7
5 2
4 Rubber Kg 35 21 40.5 14 31 27 128 296. 5.5
5 2
5 Grass Kg 76 92 1425 98 89 94 103 694. 12.
5 9
6 Wood Kg 15 23 37 18 8 12 28 2.6
141 2
7 Glass Kg 37 26 52.5 20 22.5 71 39 4.9
268 9
8 Plastics Kg 94 89 147 91 118 90 86 13.
715 3
9 (Hair) Kg 18 13 19.5 7 20 4 9 1.6
90.5 8
10 Electroni Kg 28 21 41 32 22 29.5 25 198.
cs 5 3.7
11 Other Kg 34 28 39 26 46 37 42 4.6
metals 252 9
12 Dirt, Kg 120 283 270 114 117 142 125 117 21.
ashes) 1 8
Sources: - Own survey Pareto-chart analysis 2020
31
Based on the above table 4.6 indicated all the types of solid wastes more available and manifested
in Mekelle sub cites based on the degree of their dissemination rate and in quantity may varies to
each other. From them the major’s kinds of solid waste that crated bade for tourists in the city for
instance for about 21.80% became ashes/dust/ wastes and in terms of quantity found at first and
secondly for about 13.93 % are food wastes highly emitted from households, hotels and
restaurants, but the most spatial covered and widespread throughout the city for about 13.31%
become plastic wastes while the remained solid waste have slight effect on the image tourists even
they are not extremely expanded like plastic, food, construction, and ashes wastes.

Figure 4.8 Solid Waste Interred to Landfills in Mekelle City

Sources: - Own survey, 2020

32
Figure 4.9 Total Solid Waste Produced in Mekelle Sub cities Per Day in Kg

1066.5 ●
791 ●

752
●
740 ●
698 ●

685
●
639 ●

AdiHaki Ayder Hadnet Hawelti K/Weyane Quiha Semen

Source: - own survey, 2020 Pare to-chart analysis

Based on the above Figure 4.9 that refers to regarding solid waste management that produced in
Mekelle city for about 5371 kg totally produced per day of solid wastes and those wastes collected
from individual sub cities, and for instance Hawelti sub city produced 1066.5kg per day and this
implies huge amount of solid wastes from the remain sub cities and its main reason become the
center of market and appearing of large hotels with much amount of the remain construction
material wastes. Secondly, Semen sub city produced for about 791kg hence this also the center of
Industries and business activities whereas the remained sub cities become more household’s
residence and business centers. Therefore, from the above table can be inferred that the main factor
for an increasing of solid wastes in Mekelle city become as increasing of population size,
investment industries and business centers. And finally this leads it is difficult to manage he
amount of solid waste and as the same time crated unattractive dirty environment in the city.

33
 Table 4.7 Total Quantity of Solid Waste Generated in a Year (M3)

S.No Name the Area 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Total quantity of Percentag
e of S.W
S.W generated
generated
in a year (m3)

1 Mekelle city 137,416 178, 640 285,000 422,880 536,808 1,560,744 m3

M3 M3 M3 M3 3
M

2 Total Δ% each year 8.80 11.44 18.26 27.09 34.39

3 Total Δ 47,132 41,224 106,860 137,380 113,928 446,524 m3

4 Total Δ % each 10.55% 9.23% 23.93% 30.76% 25.51% 99.98%

year

Source: own survey 2020 Pare to-chart analysis

Based on the above table 4.7 indicated that the total quantity of solid waste produced in Mekelle
city it may varies from year to year. For instance from 2007 E.C till 2011E.C the total amount of
solid waste increased at dramatic change 137,416m3 to 536, 808m3 and the total variation within 5
years increased 446,524m3, if the solid wastes in Mekelle city an increasing in such way, after a
certain years it will be difficult to manage solid wastes in the city and similarly this event creates
uncomfortable environment for local residence and tourists tourist entertainment. Therefore,
government in collaboration with other stockholders should involve on managing and recycling
solid wastes in to further useable things.

Table 4.8 Materials and Faculties Existing in Each Sub cities of Mekelle City

S.No Name of Sub cities containe Tractor Car Total %

r
1 AdiHaki 1 1 4 12.90%
2 Ayder 1 1 4 12.90%
3 Hadnet 2 1 5 16.12%
4 Hawelti 1 1 5 16.12%
5 Kedamay Weyane 2 1 5 16.12%
6 Quiha 1 1 2 6.45%
7 Semen 3 1 6 19.35
Total 11 7 31 99.96%
Source: own survey 2020
According the above table 4.10 indicated that the total materials and facilities that existed currently
in Mekelle city become 11 Containers, 7 Tractors and 30 private cars respectively. And in Mekelle
34
city, urbanization, industry and population increasing at high rate in individual sub cities,
therefore, the material facilities that allocated are not adequate enough for effective in performing
of solid waste management system in the city.

4.9. The Impact of Improper Solid Wastes Management in Mekelle City

Based on preliminary survey of the researcher and the respondent response in Mekelle city, the
Solid waste is not articulated and managed effectively. This caused due to poor design urban
planning, lack of skilled man power on solid waste management, the absence of strong
coordination between stockholders involving in solid wastes, lack of waste discipline
environmental management education from media and academic institutions and also lack of
strong ground rules and regulations punishment those who made dirty environment and reversely
do not encouraged an awarded those who performed ever green environment and attractive
atmosphere. Finally, this leads the following negative major impacts such as, human health,
environmental deterioration, tourism development, undesirable economic expense, and bad soc-
cultural images and similarly according Ki9 he have the same outlooks, currently Mekelle city due
to high expansion of urbanization, population and industries ultimately results produced
uncontrolled tons of solid wastes produced at every day and also it is not scientifically handled
and manipulated and at the same time manifested improper solid waste management in the city.
Ultimately, the impact of improper solid waste management exposed like, victimizing human
health by different diseases, environmental deterioration, creating unattractive pleasant
environment for tourists, psychological dissatisfaction, decreasing investment tourism, unexpected
economic expense for disposal solid wastes, creating bad soc-cultural and political image in the
mind of customers.

35
Figure 4.11. The Impact of Improper Solid Wastes in Mekelle City

55
49 53
60
50
35
40
30 4.57 4.69 22 15
4.63 23
9 22 3.68 Very low
4.35
20 5 Mean
3 5 Low
10 2 4 Very high Medium
3
1 3 High High
0 1 1 4
2 3 Medium Very high
2
e nt h
2 Low Mean
m alt t 1 Very low
op he en ct
vel an nm pe e
de m iro as ag
m Hu En
v ic l im
ris om ura
To
u
con lt
E
o-cu
ci
So

Source: Field survey, 2020

Based on the above Figure 4.11 the respondent response regarding the impact improper solid waste
management like in such way; 93.8% scores on human health, 92.6% of on environment, 91.4% of
on tourism development, 87% of on soc-cultural image, lastly 73.6% become on economic aspects
respectively. Based on the respondent response, the researcher analyzed and discussed like as
follows incidents.

Recently, in Mekelle city , due to the existence of poor and ineffective of solid waste management
system leads the highest in impact on human health that exposed to different diseases like Mascots,
typhoid ,ameba, common fold, and also the local communities and unfortunately coming tourists
victimized by bad odder their birthing system and olfactory nerve as asthma(science). Apart from
this, tourist can more frighten by local endemic diseases and also felt bad odder that emitted from
inside rivers, churches, walk ways and street ways.

36
Other the major impacts of improper solid waste management next to human health become on
environment, today any environment especially destination centers, and urban areas highly
influenced and pollinated due to the impact that released from man mad and natural factors. As a
result of this circumstance, the main elements of the environment like Air, soil, and water more
contaminated and degraded from time to time in the city and at the same time the local
communities and tourists do not felt good environmental and psychological satisfaction in
desirable manner.

Above all, the impacts of solid waste has an immense fatal consequence create a fertile ground for
spread of diseases on human, animal and plant health and also heavily pollinate our natural and
historical achievements this leads the worst negative impact on tourism development and at the
same time also created unattractive image in our social and cultural aspects. Apart from this
adversely unexpected economic expense become exposed. For instance environment and human
health severely affected means automatically either directly or in directly tourism development
heavily marginalized and altered in to zero level of development because tourism sector almost
above 70% more correlated immediately with human daily activities and also the most volatile
sector become tourism hence strictly dependent on the interest and needs of
customers(tourists).Besides, tourists usually demanding healthy society and smart attractive
destination environment.

According to Ki10 tried to address the impacts of improper solid waste management such as,
hindering environmental sustainability tourism development, decreasing investment tourism,
diminishing environmental attractiveness for tourist, Descending medical tourism, creating bad
cultural and social image affecting both environmental and personal hygiene, and increasing of
cost for waste disposal.

37
Conclusion and Recommendations
This study has been to examine solid waste management practices and its impacts on tourism
development in Mekelle city. Recently, in Mekelle city the existence of high expansion of
urbanization, population and industries ultimately results produced uncontrolled tons of solid
wastes produced at every day and also it is not scientifically handled and manipulated and at the
same time manifested improper solid waste management in the city. The current situation of solid
waste management in city is not good because most of the time the solid waste are collecting by
municipal sanitarian workers while the remained communities are not participating, more carless
and thrown various solid waste materials at everywhere and at any time like ,plastic wastes, food
waste, construction wastes, and hazard wastes.

The major causes that accelerate for expansion of the problem of solid waste management in
Mekelle city such as, lack of educational waste management discipline, the absence of awareness
promotion from media agency, lack of professional skills in manipulating wastes for further use
full values like reusing, recycling, and composting, the absence of waste taxation fee from plastic
producer firms, lack of serious strong rules and regulations from government penalizing those who
deteriorate the environment, poor urban planning and designing, inadequate budget allocation, the
absence of popular sanitation/kaizen/day not mobilized city administration, illegal street traders,
the existence of human waste from street beggars eventually this leads improper solid waste
management in the city. Ultimately, the impact of improper solid waste management exposed like,
victimizing human health by different endemic diseases, environmental deterioration, creating
unattractive pleasant environment for tourists, decreasing investment tourism, unexpected
economic expense for disposal solid wastes, creating bad soc-cultural and political image in the
mind of customers.

Generally, according the result of the research discussion that manifested the impact of improper
solid waste management based on respondent response regarding the impact improper solid waste
management for about 93.8% on human health means it leads highest in impact on human health
that exposed to different diseases like Mascots, typhoid ,ameba, common fold, and also the local
communities and unfortunately tourists become victimized by bad odder their birthing system and
olfactory nerve as asthma(science). Apart from this, tourist can more frighten by local endemic
diseases and also felt bad odder that emitted from inside rivers, churches, walk ways and street
ways.
38
Other the major impacts of improper solid waste management next to human health become
92.6% on environment, today any environment especially destination centers, and urban areas
highly influenced and pollinated due to the impact that released from man mad and natural factors.
As a result of this circumstance, the main elements of the environment like Air, soil, and water
more contaminated and degraded from time to time in the city and at the same time the local
communities and tourists do not felt good environmental and psychological satisfaction in
desirable manner and for about 91.4% highly influenced on tourism development, For instance
environment and human health severely affected means automatically either directly or in directly
tourism development heavily marginalized and altered in to zero level of development because
tourism sector almost above 70% more correlated immediately or reversely with human daily
activities and also the most volatile sector become tourism hence it strictly dependent on the
interest and needs of customers(tourists).Because tourists usually demanding healthy society and
smart attractive destination environment. Besides, tourism sector cannot get multiplier effect, and
at the same time also created unattractive image in our social and cultural aspects. Apart from this
adversely unexpected economic expense become exposed.

Therefore, strong coordination among government organization, non-governmental organization,

the local communities, and other stakeholders can play a vital role by subsidizing huge
contribution for reducing improper solid waste management and finally to creating well clean
attractive city that contribute for tourism development in the study area.

 Mekelle city has poor urban planning and designing as a result of this incidents out main
road way and street ways and there are main corner block ways become the main station of
the agglomeration of different solid wastes that comes from various households,
commercial areas and industries the city is expanding at escalating rate. Therefore, the
regional government should be seeking top qualified professional designers and planners to
make the city more attractive and evergreen areas for local community and tourists.
 Government should conduct training workshops regarding to Environmental Education and
solid Waste-Management Discipline in collaboration with various stakeholders and NGOs
to the local community.

39
 Both governmental and non-governmental Medias should provide important awareness and
best experience as benchmark from developed world concerning Environmental Education
and Waste-Management Discipline in social services like education and health sectors.
 The worker size in Mekelle Municipal administrative office has to been increased to match
with the magnitude of the burden of solid waste collection and transportation service in the
city. Moreover, the recruitment type, payment situations and grievance has to be improved
as far as possible to foster the working moral and devotion of the workers
 In Mekelle city not serious attention has to be given to the distribution and sitting
(placement) of containers and dust bins. Containers and dust bins have to be distributed
evenly (balanced) that it matches with the distribution of population in number as well as in
space. That means the densities as well as the travel distance have to be taken into
consideration.
 There is large number of illegal street retailers’ market sellers of vegetables, plastic
materials, electronic materials, animals around churches, rivers, street and walk ways in
Mekelle sub cites and eventually thrown undesirable solid waste then this creates bad
odder, unattractive environment, spreading diseases, and tourist felt bad soc-cultural image
in the local communities. So that government should control those illegal traders to be far
apart like from the areas big hotels, restaurants, churches, inside rivers, walk ways, main
streets, governmental, non-governmental offices, historical sites, and museums and also
prepared isolated suitable areas for retailers that do not create bade image for the city.
 Before a certain years the solid waste collection and transportation merely performed
municipal administrative office this leads has a problem of capacity to give no satisfactory
service. After 2007 E.C offered to outsource completely by private enterprises, but at the
present practically it is not effective and adequate materials for articulating solid waste
management. Therefore, the Mekelle municipal administrative office should demand
further additional cars, truckers, loaders and also attract private enterprises to be involved
in solid waste collection and transportation service provision in satisfactory and quality
manner.
 For about 99.98% the solid wastes that collected from Mekelle city open dumping disposal
in the landfills without any values. Therefore, Government should be invite and motivate
for different governmental non-governmental organization to participate and convert the

40
 solid wastes into recycling wastes, segregation wastes, reuse, proper disposal, compositing
of wastes in to fertilizer, and hydroelectric power.
 For most of the constituents of the domestic solid wastes are organic, it would be advisable
to device mechanisms to convert them into compost and provide to peasants.
 In Mekelle city there was no waste separation business community and government should
be advising businesses about better separation of solid wastes increase and customization
of recycling centers to meet the requirements of the business community in social services,
service providers, public downtown streets, churches, industrial park, commercial,
museums and destination areas
 Most of the hotels and restaurants which found in Mekelle city are not performing good
solid waste management like recycling wastes, segregation of wastes, reuse, treatment,
compost, cleaning, and gardening evergreen. Therefore, government in collaboration with
other stockholders should subsidize and encourage for hotels and restaurants to seek good
solid waste management practice from standard star rate hotels to give quality services for
tourists with pleasant and attractive environment.
 In developed countries, governments established various police, strategies and packages for
handling solid waste. For instance for those organizations who produce different types solid
wastes, first government encouraged them to altered the solid wastes in to use full things
like, recycling wastes, segregation wastes, reuse, proper disposal, compositing of wastes in
to fertilizer, hydroelectric power, and government offered best award motivation for
organizations who made best performance on solid waste management practices and
created their companies evergreen and attractive environment. And the reverse is true,
those who did not performed good solid waste activities, government obliged them to pay
fee 2% from their total products for protection and ever greening the environment and at
the same time also acted penalties for thrown unnecessary solid wastes. Therefore,
Government of the Tigray Regional Sate and the Mekelle city administration should be
take the above best solid waste management experience without any compromising to
make the city more attractive, evergreen environment that comfortable for tourist’s
accommodation center.

41
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