Private Sector Inclusion in Managing Waste: Challenges and Opportunities towards Sustainable Solid Waste Management in Dar es Salaam City.

Abstract

Including the private sector in solid waste management is an alternate technique that has been used by various cities across the world to manage solid waste sustainably. This study used a qualitative case study design to explore challenges the private sector face and opportunities available towards sustainable solid waste management in Dar es Salaam City. Interviews, focus group discussions, observation, and documentary review methods were used in data collection. The qualitative content analysis was used in analysing data and descriptive statistics (frequencies) was applied to coded data to strengthen the understanding of findings. Findings of the study revealed that; ineffective decisions, lack of priority on reuse and recycling/recovery of solid waste, and ineffective contracts are the challenges that limit sustainable management of solid waste. Moreover, possibilities for the private sector to promote sustainable solid waste management exist through supporting technology for utilizing solid waste resources and linking solid waste management to other economic sectors. The study concludes that the participation of the private sector in decision-making can contribute to overcoming the existing challenges and possibilities to manage solid waste sustainably exist through promoting technology and linking solid waste management to other economic sectors. The study suggests active participation of the private sector in decision-making and improvement of contracts to accommodate sustainable solid waste management practices.