Cost assessment and modelling of solid waste management in a low resourced urban setting. A case study of Jinja City.

Abstract

Solid waste management (SWM) is a major challenge in developing countries, especially in urban areas with limited resources. In low- and middle-income countries, waste collection and disposal consume a significant portion of the municipal budget. However, the expenses associated with this aspect are rarely assessed in a systematic manner. This research study aimed at assessing the costs associated with managing solid waste in a low-resourced urban setting of Jinja, Uganda; and develop a model to optimize solid waste management practices in this city. The study employed a mixed-methods approach to collect data on the cost of waste management practices, including waste collection, transportation, and disposal. The data that was collected included costs and revenues of the solid waste management service in Jinja city. These costs included service provision costs, service administration costs, planning and control costs, and education and communication costs. These were obtained mainly through interviewing the relevant stakeholders. The solid waste generated in Jinja city was characterized to obtain the composition of the waste and the per capita waste generation rate. Waste was characterized following the procedure outlined in UN- ESCAP (2010). The study was carried out in 70 households as well as at the dumpsite. The study revealed that the waste generation rate in Jinja City is 0.64 kg per capita per day which includes both domestic and non-domestic waste generation rates. The highest proportion of waste generated in Jinja city is organic waste, accounting for 72.74% of the total waste produced. The other waste includes 9.01% plastics, 5.11% paper and cardboard, the rest being metals, glass, and other wastes. The data was used to model different waste management options using a cost modelling tool that was developed by Helvetaz and Eawag. The study recommends collection of segregated waste in containers with a transfer station to be used as the waste collection model for Jinja City. It is estimated that this model would require a total annual cost of USD 4,893,575, with each user contributing USD 13 per year. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the development of sustainable and cost-effective solid waste management practices in low resourced cities in developing countries.