Browsing by Author "Welteji, Diriba"

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    Assessment of Potentials of Bio-Recycling As an Alternative to Solid Waste Management in Addis Ababa
    (Addis Ababa University, 2009-02) Welteji, Diriba; Amsalu, Aklilu (PhD)
    Municipal solid waste management (MSWM) in Addis Ababa has been the exclusive responsibility of the city administration with minimal participation of the public and other stakeholders. However, inappropriate handling and disposal of MSW is the most visible cause of environmental pollution and bad aesthetic feature in Addis Ababa. This research is mainly aimed at the assessment of existing MSWM method with especial emphasis to bio-recycling/composting activities undertaken by NGOs and private organizations. In order to achieve this objective, qualitative data collection methods were employed. The primary data was collected through in-depth interview with team leaders, experts, project coordinators and owner of private organizations while secondary data was also drawn from documentation units of respective organizations to supplement the primmy data. The data was presented by description, tabulation and percentages accordingly. The research showed that household (yard) composting and decentralized community composting designs and windrow composting process alone are being promoted by the organizations considered in this research as to fit the situation of Addis Ababa because of their technological simpliCity and costs. The finding of the research also strongly revealed that the composition of organic waste generated in Addis Ababa exceeds 80 percent out of all solid wastes. Similarly, the laboratory analysis for essential nutrient composition of the produced compost confirmed that it exceeds the essential nutrient in chemical fertilizers. Yet, national compost quality assurance and standard is not well established in the city. Moreover, compost is demanded for forestry, land seaping, rehabilitation of eroded area, park greening and a forestation. Further more, the research has revealed that absence of sorting waste at source, acute shortage of finance, physical space scarcity, lack of institutional capacity, disposal to ecologically sensitive area, lack of community awareness, poor legal enforcement, lack involvement of research institutions, infrastructure, are some of the areas that intensify the problems of MSWM in Addis Ababa. Moreover, bureaucratic bottlenecks, shortage of means of transport, lack of maintenance are among the indicated factors that call for intervention by government and concerned entities.