Challenges and Opportunities in Municipal Solid Waste Management: The Case of Addis Ababa City, Central Ethiopia

AbstractSolid waste, which is a consequence of day-to-day activity of human kind, needs to be managed properly. Addis Ababa, like other cities in developing countries, faces problems associated with poorly managed solid waste operation. This study deals with analysis of the city’s current municipal solid waste management problems, opportunities and existing solid waste management practices. The survey was conducted in Bole and Akaki Kality sub-city. Different sampling methods were employed to select the study units including: stratified sampling, systematic random sampling, and purposive sampling. Though the bulk of the data collected were qualitative in nature, it was also supported by quantitative information collected through survey and secondary sources. The study revealed that the reasons for low performance of SWM in the city includes: inaccessibility of the city due to the geographical and urban structure, lack of properly designed collection route system and time schedule, inadequate and malfunctioning operation equipment, open burning of garbage, poor condition of the final dump site, littering of the corner around the skips which encouraged illegal dumping are the technical problem identified. Insufficient funds as well as lack of promotion on-waste reduction: recycling, absence of cost recovery, practice of energy option, waste separation and composting are among the financial challenge. Social problems encountered include: lack of public awareness, illegal dumping, poor condition of waste workers, lack of private sector and community involvement. Incompetence of organizations in terms of equipment required for operation and man power/staff qualifications, training and human resource developments/and unreliable service are the institutional challenge that the city encountered in the sector. Finally, the study forwarded some important recommendations towards improving the statuesque.