Challenges facing the informal Sector in Managing Solid Waste as a Resource for Small Scale Enterprise Production in Dar Es Salaam City, Tanzania, 2020.

Abstract

This study investigated challenges facing the informal sector in managing solid waste as a resource for small scale enterprise production in Dar es Salaam City. It also explored the products that the informal sector produces using solid waste resources. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design and a total of five informal enterprises were purposively selected. Qualitative data were collected using direct observation, face to face in-depth interviews, and focus group discussion. Data were analysed using content analysis. Findings revealed that the informal sector produces valuable products such as construction materials, gas for domestic use, shopping bags and cosmetics by using solid waste resources. In the course of production, it experiences the unfavourable environment in sorting solid waste, limited spaces for production, unfavourable solid waste management contracts and negative perceptions from the community. The study concludes that solid waste is a useful and readily available resource for promoting small scale production of the informal sector and industrial production in general, yet the challenges which obstruct its full utilisation need to be addressed. The study recommends that the informal sector which makes use of solid waste as a resource should be integrated into waste management and industrial development plans of the city for promoting the utilization of solid waste resources in industrial production.