Systems analysis of municipal solid waste management and recycling system in east Africa: benchmarking performance in Kigali city, Rwanda

Abstract

This study assessed the current status of solid waste management (SWM) in the City of Kigali (CoK), the capital city of Rwanda. This assessment was done using systems analysis methodology of “wasteaware” benchmark indicators for integrated sustainable waste management in cities. This method of assessing helps to assess the Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) in a city according to its physical components and governance features. Data were collected during a 6-month period from May to October 2017, but verification took other four months (Up to February 2018). Data were obtained from official reports, legal documents, and interviews with key personnel and operators and also from official and unofficial dumpsites visits. In CoK, approximately 232,870 tons of MSW is generated per year, MSW collection and transportation is done by private companies but the only dumpsite present in Kigali is fully controlled by the City of Kigali. Residents pay waste collectors according to their social classes and their locations. There is no official recycling system; recycling activities are informally performed by private companies and some wastes, like plastic bottles, are taken to Uganda and Tanzania to be recycled. This study found that the recycling rate was 10% contrarily to the 2% which is recorded by official sources. This study has contributed by filling the gap in literature on waste management for the city of Kigali and it recommends that the Government represented by the CoK should do more in terms of investing in SWM and creating a relationship between private waste collectors and local communities, and the private sector should be mobilized to invest in SWM activities.

Current situation of solid waste management in East African countries and the proposal for sustainable management

“…While the data in Table 2 show high level of organic waste in some EAC cities, low paper and plastic waste generation can also be explained by low food packaging habit. However, plastic waste shows a big change in some cities comparatively to papers; this is due to restriction of use of plastic as bags and packaging in some countries (Kabera and Nishimwe, 2019). Metals and glasses which are usually found in construction sites need further research to know the reason of change (Isugi and Niu, 2016;Han et al, 2018;Kwori, 2019).…”

Enhancing the biomethane yield of groundnut shells using deep eutectic solvents for sustainable energy production

“…Additionally, it supports the development of a circular urban economy that minimizes the use of finite resources, encourages the reuse and recycling of materials to reduce waste, pollution, and costs, and promotes green growth. In a more sustainable waste management approach, techniques such as reduction in production, waste classification, reuse, recycling, and energy recovery are given priority over open dumps, landfilling, and open incineration (Yang et al, 2018;Kabera and Nishimwe, 2019). Energy recovery from waste is getting better attention globally because of its inclusivity, environment-friendly nature, and minimal harmful impact on human health and the environment (Rimi Abubakar and Aina, 2016).…”

Environmental Sustainability Impacts of Solid Waste Management Practices in the Global South

“…A more sustainable waste management approach prioritizes practices such as reduced production, waste classifications, reuse, recycling, and energy recovery over the common practices of landfilling, open dumps, and open incineration [11][12][13]. This approach, which is still at an early stage but getting increased attention in the Global South, is more inclusive and environment-friendly and has less negative impact on human health and the environment than the common practices [14][15][16].…”

“…For organic waste, several studies indicate a preference for composting [45,51,75] and biogas generation [15,42,68]. Although some researchers have advocated a complete ban on landfilling [13,42], it should be controlled with improved techniques for leak detection and leachate and biogas collection [126,127]. Many researchers also suggested an integrated biological and mechanical treatment (BMT) of solid waste [66,74,95,119].…”