Solid waste management
Urban solid waste management is widely recognized as one of the most critical environmental challenges facing developing countries [Sinha and Enayetullah, 2000], and Jinja Town in Uganda is no exception. Uganda’s economic downturn has resulted in an unemployment rate of approximately 80% [Kairiza, 2009], which has driven the rise of home industries and densely populated suburbs. These areas generate significant amounts of solid waste due to their spatial expanse and high population density, placing immense pressure on the existing waste disposal systems. As a result, much of the waste remains uncollected, posing a serious health risk.
Waste management involves the collection, transportation, recovery, and disposal of waste, along with the oversight of these processes and the maintenance of disposal sites. It aims to manage the existing volume of waste while minimizing the impact on human health and the environment [Rushbrook, 1999]. In many developing countries, including Uganda, rapid urbanization and population growth have exacerbated the challenges of municipal solid waste management. Urban residents, consuming more resources than their rural counterparts, generate vast quantities of solid waste and sewage, making this issue increasingly urgent.
In Europe, it is estimated that between 5,700 and 11,300 jobs are associated with the waste sector. In 1994, solid waste management activities alone may have created up to 5,000 jobs [Arnold, 1995]. In the United Kingdom, achieving a 70% recycling target for municipal waste by 2025 could generate an estimated 29,400 direct jobs in recycling, 14,700 indirect jobs in related supply chains, and 7,300 jobs in the broader economy compared to 2006 levels.
In Uganda, rapid urbanization, currently at 5.1% annually, has led to the expansion of slums and informal settlements, where waste management practices are poor. Urban areas generate large amounts of waste, and ineffective waste management is further complicated by complex land tenure systems, where many tenants lack rights to manage waste on their property. As a result, municipal authorities struggle to handle the overwhelming volumes of garbage produced [Nyakaana, 2009]. The surge in urban and industrial activities, along with population growth, has increased the volume of solid waste.
Local authorities in Uganda are tasked with managing solid waste but are hindered by inadequate infrastructure, weak institutional frameworks, and limited financial and technical resources. To fill this gap, companies such as Bisons Solid Waste Management provide tailored waste management services. These services include commercial waste collection for industries, radioactive waste management, tar removal from fuel processing, and nuclear liability management. Bisons also offers domestic waste collection through door-to-door services, street cleaning, and efforts to prevent illegal dumping via community education and outreach programs. Additionally, healthcare waste, which carries a higher risk of infection, is handled with strict protocols to minimize public health risks [Nyakaana, 2009].
There is ongoing debate regarding the employment effects of solid waste management policies. Some argue that recycling and other waste management activities can create job opportunities, especially for socially excluded or low-skilled individuals. However, the increased costs associated with waste management could lead to job losses in other economic sectors [Zake, 2009]. This study aims to examine the impact of solid waste management on job creation.
Problem Statement
Uganda’s urbanization rate of 5.1% annually has resulted in overcrowding and the growth of slums and informal settlements, which are plagued by poor waste management practices [Tenywa, 2007]. In Kampala, as in other urban centers in developing countries, materials considered waste in Western contexts are often reused [Sharon, 1993; Douglas, 1986]. For instance, old tires are repurposed into sandals, tin containers into candle holders, and plastic containers into animal feeding troughs. Scrap metal is recycled into household items such as stoves, doors, and windows, while paper is recycled into tissue and wrapping paper. The Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) in Kyebando (Kawempe Division) has a project that recycles used paper to produce envelopes and greeting cards [Basemera, 1996]. Green waste, such as banana peels and food scraps, is collected and sold to farmers for animal feed, creating employment opportunities for many youths.
Despite the efforts of companies like Bisons Solid Waste Management, which have created jobs for both educated and uneducated individuals, unemployment in Jinja Municipality remains high. This study investigates the impact of solid waste management on employment creation in Jinja.
