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Post-war solid waste management in Adigrat Ethiopia

of the interconnected components of waste handling problem, leading to illegal dumping and burning of
systems. These include waste generation, segregation, waste.
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storage, collection, transportation, processing, and final International experiences highlight both problems
disposal. In many cases, weak inter-agency coordination and solutions. Singapore has long relied on central
and the absence of long-term planning also contribute to governance, while Lebanon – post-war and post-2006
persistent inefficiencies. conflict – faces unmanaged waste sites and coordination
Waste composition often varies with income. Low- failures. 17,18 These comparative insights reveal that
income households produce more organic waste, policy consistency, investment in infrastructure, and
whereas higher-income groups discard more paper, public awareness are all essential components of an
metals, and glass. This distinction significantly impacts effective SWM system. In Misrata, household waste
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the choice of waste treatment technologies, as organic- generation averages 0.552 kg/person/day, largely
dominant waste is more amenable to composting and composed of organic material (52%) and plastics. 19,20
anaerobic digestion, whereas recyclables require This trend is reflective of many urban centers in the
sorting and market linkages. Common SWM techniques Global South, where changing consumption patterns
include recycling, composting, incineration, and are increasing the volume of non-biodegradable waste.
landfilling. Each of these techniques has advantages The absence of waste infrastructure, such as transfer
and drawbacks depending on local context, climatic stations, significantly weakens SWM systems.
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conditions, economic feasibility, and social acceptance. Without intermediate facilities, waste collection trucks
Post-disaster and post-conflict waste management must travel long distances to disposal sites, reducing
largely follow standard procedures but must also collection frequency and increasing operational costs.
handle hazardous and construction waste. 9,10 In such In Bosnia, waste mismanagement in mining areas has
scenarios, the urgency of restoring public services must led to water contamination and health impacts. Urban
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be balanced with the safe handling of toxic substances, population growth has made SWM a global concern,
unexploded ordnance, and biomedical waste. especially in developing nations where collection
In Abuja, Nigeria, logistical and institutional issues dominates while strategic planning is minimal. The
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hinder efficient waste collection. In Iraq, post-Islamic emphasis on collection often sidelines critical aspects
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State of Iraq and Syria conflict waste, particularly such as waste reduction, reuse, and environmentally
from construction, poses significant management sound disposal.
challenges. The prompt removal of debris and The shift toward privatization in cities such as
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hazardous material is crucial in post-war recovery. Hyderabad and Nairobi reflects efforts to improve
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Failure to address this can delay rebuilding efforts, pose services through public–private partnerships, though
health threats, and erode public trust in institutions. outcomes vary by local governance capacity. In
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Furthermore, uncollected debris may clog drainage Namibia and Sri Lanka, outsourcing has helped tackle
systems, causing secondary disasters such as urban inefficiencies in urban waste management. Successful
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flooding and outbreaks of vector-borne diseases. public–private partnerships depend on regulation,
Despite rising waste generation (up to 5% annually), funding, and community engagement. Where governance
low-income countries such as Ethiopia still report is weak or public resistance is high, privatization may
moderate per capita rates (e.g., 0.32 kg/day), with lead to unequal service delivery or exclusion of low-
organic matter dominating the waste stream. This high income neighborhoods. Therefore, regulatory oversight
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organic content offers opportunities for decentralized and public participation are essential to ensure equitable
composting initiatives that can serve as both waste access and sustainability.
treatment and soil fertility enhancement methods. In India and Kenya, differing state roles affect
Recycling efforts are generally limited, often informal, outcomes – India’s centralized control contrasts with
and predominantly inefficient. Informal waste Nairobi’s donor-driven, grassroots waste initiatives.
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collectors play a critical role in recovering recyclable However, the contributions of informal recyclers often
materials, but they often lack social protection, health remain overlooked. These workers, who are frequently
coverage, and access to formal market systems. marginalized due to their class, ethnicity, or immigration
Ethiopia, like many countries, faces inconsistent waste status, make up an important but under-appreciated
control amid growing urban waste loads. Institutional part of the waste economy. Integrating them into
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fragmentation, limited technical capacity, and weak formal systems with protective legislation can enhance
enforcement of environmental laws exacerbate the efficiency while promoting social inclusion.

Volume 22 Issue 4 (2025) 19 doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025090061