Urban solid waste characteristics and household appetite for separation at source in Eastern and Southern Africa

Abstract

Although the past decade has witnessed increased awareness of and efforts to implement integrated solid waste management in African cities, a chronic urban waste problem endures. Further, ‘end of pipe’ interventions remain dominant and popular with city administrators and there seems to be little appetite for policies towards comprehensive globally approved waste reduction, recycling and separation of waste at source that are critical to an effective integrated solid waste management system. Following a review of literature and complemented by field notes, this paper examines the willingness of urban households to participate in expanded at source waste separation in Bulawayo, Lusaka and Mombasa. It presents empirical evidence of household readiness to engage in such programs thus highlighting an untapped potential that policy makers should make use of in expanding urban solid waste recycling and waste reduction programmes in Eastern and Southern Africa. Such programmes would align well with emerging low carbon economies.