Only recycling can end garbage problem

Oct 04, 2006

Management of garbage is one of the biggest challenges in Uganda. Unfortunately, everybody still takes garbage casually yet in the long-run it can soar into a crisis.

Management of garbage is one of the biggest challenges in Uganda. Unfortunately, everybody still takes garbage casually yet in the long-run it can soar into a crisis. KCC says that only 39 per cent of waste generated in Kampala can be collected and transported to the dumping site. But even if 100 per cent was collected, the problem would not go away because the garbage is not recycled at the dumping site.
In 2002/2004 a Public/Private Partnership for Urban Environment Pilot project with support of Government and UNDP was implemented in six municipalities in Uganda.
The project involved community groups collecting garbage, sorting it and recycling it at the source. It proved a success because it involved creating vigorous awareness about garbage management among garbage generators and authorities.
Most garbage generators are poor people who cannot afford to pay fees to companies who collect it, and this explains why garbage is littered everywhere in Uganda. However if these people are sensitized about the importance of recycling garbage, there will be a positive impact on the environment because people will notice the positive side of garbage. When you recycle garbage, you increase your income and at the same time provide yourself a clean environment.
The generators of the waste, mainly in households and markets, should be sensitized about the need to recycle waste and why they should pay a certain fee to the garbage collector.
During the implementation of the Public-Private Partnership for Urban Environment project there was over 80% reduction of waste in pilot study areas and this was because the communities were mobilised and introduced to the innovative ideas of turning waste into wealth through recycling of garbage at the source, coupled with awareness campaigns.
KCC’s grand plan of using garbage in generation of thermal electricity will not solve the problem. Rather they should start vigorous sensitisation campaigns about recycling at community level where garbage is generated. This will involve a direct interface with garbage generators and solve the garbage problem in Kampala and other urban centres.
Ends

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