*Chinhoyi University of Technology, Institute of Lifelong Learning, P Bag 7724, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe
**Chinhoyi University of Technology, School of Creative Art and Design, P Bag 7724, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe
***Chinhoyi University of Technology, Department of Quality Assurance, P Bag 7724, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe
Domestic solid waste management is one of the major challenges facing metropolitan areas of developing countries. Several studies have been conducted on domestic solid waste practices revealing such issues as lack of awareness, inappropriate and often hazardous methods of disposing waste. This paper was a result of a realization that there was a dearth of literature in Zimbabwe on development of cost effective solid waste disposal models and their evaluations. This paper focuses on the development of a social model for adult conduct and solid waste practice since solid waste is a major cause of infectious diseases. This project was carried out with a random sample of 120 residents from Chinhoyi's high density suburbs. Data were collected using participatory, focus group discussions and clean ups review meetings. The community developed a prototype that made community members drop their waste in centralised bins. Municipality then collected waste from these bins. That model helped communities to remove dump sites which were converted into gardens. Monitoring exercises showed that community members who were not involved still held negative attitude, continued to shift blame to the municipality and failed to respect the new model. The project recommended that more awareness campaigns be held to improve on the waste management in the suburbs.
Solid waste, management, urban, community engagement
