From public to private solid waste management: Stakeholders’ perspectives on private-public solid waste management in Lobatse, Botswana

Abstract

Upon the realization that urban areas can only achieve sustainable solid waste management systems through an interplay of partnerships and stakeholders, developing countries have geared themselves towards the privatization of waste management services in efforts to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Lobatse, a town located in the south of Botswana, faces the increasing challenges of poor waste management due to the lack of finances and resources available to the Lobatse Town Council, which hinders efforts towards a sustainable waste management system. This has negative implications for public health and the environment, as a result of solid waste pollution from littering and the illegal dumping of waste. This work examines the current state of solid waste management and its challenges in Lobatse, within the context of the interplay between public and private solid waste management. The study aims to perform a social exploration of the efficiency of waste management services, considering the political economy and households’ perceptions towards these services. Key stakeholders were interviewed and a social survey of 222 households was conducted to generate primary data. The findings indicate that the involvement of the private sector yielded positive outcomes, as it increased the solid waste collection frequency and improved the quality of the waste management service. Most of the stakeholders were in favor of privatization, and the households were satisfied and willing to contribute towards the cost recovery of solid waste management. It is, therefore, recommended to promote and establish a private-public-community partnership in the town to improve the quality of the waste management system.