A study was conducted between January and April 2019 to evaluate industrial solid waste management using Turnall Fibre Cement and Polywaste Plastics industries as case studies. The objectives of the study were to characterize solid waste and assess the effectiveness of SWM policies for both industries. An evaluation of SWM within the Southampton/Workington industrial cluster, to which the two industries are affiliated, was also done to determine if solid waste management at company level would reflect solid waste management at industrial cluster level. Data collection involved questionnaire surveys, key informant interviews, companies’ secondary data review and waste characterization and quantification studies. Forty-three (43) respondents participated in the questionnaire survey. SWM practices comprised of generation storage, collection and disposal. The findings revealed that policy instruments were less effective in reducing solid waste and that SWM was facing considerable challenges. Handling of solid waste was found not complying with the recommended EMA standards and ILO international guidelines. Lack of cooperation between member companies of the Southampton/Workington industrial cluster and lack of commitment to performance indicators set at cluster level were found to be the major challenges affecting the implementation of agreed measures to reduce waste generation and control. Basing on the results from the study, it was recommended that industries should cooperate and embark on a sound solid waste management.

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