The production of solid waste is an inevitable
consequence of human activity. Solid waste production and management emit
pollutants that contribute to climate change as well as impact public and
ecological heath. It affects the environment through emissions to the air,
land, and water resulting from its production and management. A lack of proper waste management leads to waste
accumulation, which attracts disease vectors, can clog drains, and create
habitats for mosquitoes. Open burning of waste (or incineration without proper
controls) emits a number of toxic substances, which directly harm people.
Karatina university over years have grown from being Moi university central
Kenya campus having succeeded a tea training institute to Karatina university
college a constituent of Moi university in 2007 to the current Karatina
university fully chartered in 2010. Over the years there has been increase in
the students’ total population as well as the teaching and non-teaching staff.
With this there has been increase in solid waste production around the campuses
with little construction of waste management facilities to cater for the
increasing population. More production equals more waste, more waste creates
environmental concerns of toxic threat. The objectives of this study include;
1) To identify various types of solid wastes produced in Karatina university;
2) To access the conditions and waste holding capacity in Karatina university;
3) To determine how the university is handling its solid waste. Direct
observation in the various production and disposal sites of the solid waste as
well as interviewing the workers in the various departments was also used to
obtain data. A geographical information system ArcGIS mapping software system
was used to map out the official, unofficial, and illegal temporary dumping
sites and their locations. The location point for each temporary storage site
was recorded using a geographical positioning system (GPS). The data collected
was analyzed using pie charts and other statistical tables. Comparisons between
the various types of wastes were made.