Laundry, Dry Cleaning Services and Environmental Pollution: Waste Water Physical-Chemical Parameters in Kisumu City, Kenya

Abstract

Laundry and dry cleaning practices are a global process that contributes to the length and life of apparel and textile products. However, this process results in waste waters that may have an adverse effect on the environment. To investigate this, this paper looks at the need to ensure sanitation and waste water management along the entire value chain in Kisumu City, Kenya, by determining the levels of waste water physical-chemical parameters disposed of laundry and dry cleaning practices in relation to environmental pollution. The conceptual framework borrowed ideas from the Expectation Disconfirmation Theory. Cross-sectional survey and experimental design were employed. Levels of waste water physical-chemical parameters from households and commercial laundry and dry cleaning outlets were collected and determined at Lake Victoria Environmental Management (LVEMP) Laboratory and at Safe Water and Aids Project (SWAP) Laboratory and further analyzed using SPSS. The study established that the levels of waste water chemical parameters disposed off from LDC services from both commercial and household LDC service providers had negative impact to the general environment and aquatic life.

Keywords: Laundry and Dry Cleaning, Kisumu City, Environmental Pollution, Waste Water, Physical-Chemical Parameters, Sanitation

DOI: 10.7176/JEES/12-4-04

Publication date: April 30^th 2022