Asian Journal of Geographical Research

Household participation remains the weakest link in municipal solid waste management (SWM) systems across Rwanda's secondary cities, where infrastructure gaps and affordability constraints undermine otherwise progressive national policy. This study assessed the socio-economic factors influencing household participation in solid waste management practices in Muhoza, Kimonyi, and Busogo Sectors of Musanze District, Rwanda. A mixed-methods, descriptive-explanatory design was used, combining structured household questionnaires (n = 393, proportionately stratified across the three sectors) with key informant interviews and focus group discussions involving waste collection company staff and hygiene and sanitation officers. Quantitative data were analysed in SPSS using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation; qualitative data were analysed thematically. Results showed that 56.2% of households had access to formal waste collection services, of which 75.1% received only weekly collection. Household participation varied markedly by practice: material reuse was most widely adopted (78.4% practising always or sometimes), followed by recycling (42.5%), source separation of waste (40.2%), and composting (30.0%), despite organic matter forming the largest share of the household waste stream. All six socio-economic factors examined showed statistically significant positive correlations with every participation indicator (p < 0.001). Access to waste collection services (r = 0.702 with proper disposal) and ability to pay for services (r = 0.689 with proper disposal) were the strongest correlates, followed by education level (r = 0.676 with recycling) and income level (r = 0.643 with recycling); household size showed the weakest, though still significant, associations (r = 0.462–0.538). The findings indicate that structural service constraints, rather than merely awareness or willingness, are the binding constraints on household participation in Musanze District, and that improving coverage, affordability, and public education in tandem is required to close Rwanda's household-level solid waste management gap.